FC Dallas will continue its quest for the team’s first MLS championship on Sunday as they open the two-legged Western Conference Final in Oregon against the Portland Timbers. Dallas and Portland squared off twice during the regular season – a 3-1 Timbers victory in early April at Providence Park and a 4-1 result the other way for Dallas in late July at Toyota Stadium. This will be the first-ever postseason meeting between the two clubs.
BACK TO WORK
Dallas comes into the series on the heels of a thrilling Semifinal round victory over Seattle on PKs two weeks ago in Frisco. The Sounders took the first leg at home, 2-1, and after a 2-1 Dallas decision in the second leg, the series went to extra time and eventually penalties to decide it. Portland, on the other hand, needed just 180 minutes to dispatch the No. 2 team in the West – Vancouver. After playing to a 0-0 draw in Portland in the first leg, the Timbers defeated the Whitecaps 2-0 at B.C. Place to advance. Both teams benefitted from the FIFA November International Window and had last weekend off.
KEY PLAYER FOR PORTLAND
Fanendo Adi – The forward led the Timbers in scoring during the regular season with 16 goals and picked up a goal and an assist in a series-clinching 2-0 win over Vancouver two weeks ago. Adi is without a doubt the top offensive threat for Portland.
KEY MATCH-UPS
Kellyn Acosta vs. Darlington Nagbe – With fellow-midfielders Diego Valeri and Rodney Wallace suspended for Leg One due to yellow card accumulation, the always-dangerous Nagbe becomes an even bigger target for the Timbers in the midfield.
Michael Barrios vs. Jorge Villafana – Barrios saw a breakout performance with a brace in the July meeting between Dallas and Portland, and coming off of a strong series against the Sounders, he’ll be looking to maintain Dallas’ dual threat on the wings opposite Fabian Castillo.
PROJECTED LINEUP
Goalkeeper: Adam Larsen Kwarasey; Defenders: Jorge Villafana, Liam Ridgewell, Nate Borchers, Alvas Powell; Midfielders: Darlington Nagbe, Diego Chara, Jack Jewsbury; Forwards: Lucas Melano, Fanendo Adi, Dairon Asprilla.
KEYS TO THREE POINTS
Dallas will be looking to turn their first 60 minutes in Seattle into a full 90-minute performance in another difficult Leg One road test. With the Timbers missing several key components in the midfield, if Dallas can continue to win the battle there with the play-maker Mauro Diaz, they should be able to turn a positive result in Portland.
