FC Dallas extends unbeaten streak to five games
PORTLAND, Ore. (Wednesday, April 13) – FC Dallas (4-1-2, 14 points) netted three first-half goals to take three points in Portland for the first time in club history and move into first place in the MLS standings tonight at Providence Park.
FC Dallas just missed out on a goal in the second minute. Victor Ulloa, who came into the starting lineup for Kellyn Acosta, lofted a free kick into the area from 30 yards out. The Wylie, Texas, native followed his serve and was rewarded when the ball ended up at his feet inside the area. Ulloa cut left, around a Timbers FC defender and fired a shot over the goalkeeper’s right shoulder, but the attempt rose just over the crossbar.
Two minutes later, Michael Barrios scored his third road goal of the season in the fourth minute of the match. Former Timbers FC forward Maxi Urruti pried the ball free from a Portland defender in his own third of the pitch. Urruti quickly worked the ball to forward partner Tesho Akindele, who ran at what remained of the Timbers’ back line. After drawing two defenders, Akindele slipped a pass inside to Barrios, who used two touches to beat goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey, low to the back post.
Urruti, once again, picked the pocket of a Portland defender on their side of the field in the 26th minute. This time the victim was Timbers FC captain Jack Jewsbury. The turnover instantly put Fabian Castillo in alone against Kwarasey. The winger sped into the area before lifting a cheeky chip shot over the goalkeeper’s head to make it 2-0 Dallas.
Three minutes later Akindele made it four straight matches with either a goal or an assist when he hammered home a shot from 15 yards out in the 29th minute. The play began with Maynor Figueroa sending in a cross from the left flank. Kwarasey got a hand on the pass, sending it out as far as the top of the box, where a mishit from Castillo ended up at the feet of Akindele. The Canadian international pounded the ball on net, through the legs of Kwarasey and off a Timbers FC defender before the ball slowly rolled over the goal line to give Dallas a 3-0 lead at the half hour mark.
FC Dallas goalkeeper Chris Seitz made an outstanding diving save to his right side to preserve the three-goal lead in the 39th minute. After sustained pressure from Portland, the home side worked the ball out wide for Ned Grabavoy. The No. 10 cracked a hard shot on the wet turf just inside the near post, but Seitz was on his game, slapping the ball past the post and over the end line for a corner kick.
Portland pulled a goal back to make it 3-1 in the 67thminute. The play began with a shot from outside the area, which was blocked by an FC Dallas defender. The loose ball sat perfectly for Darren Mattocks, who had just entered the match in the 65th minute. The former Vancouver Whitecap hit a rising shot that beat Seitz high over his left shoulder.
That was as far as the FC Dallas defense would bend, closing out the match with a 60-40 advantage in possession.
Scoring Summary:
DAL: Michael Barrios (Tesho Akindele) 4
DAL: Fabian Castillo (Maxi Urruti) 26
DAL: Tesho Akindele (Fabian Castillo) 29
POR: Darren Mattocks 67
Lineups:
FC Dallas – Chris Seitz, Maynor Figueroa, Walker Zimmerman, Matt Hedges, Ryan Hollingshead (Zach Loyd 79), Victor Ulloa, Carlos Gruezo, Fabian Castillo (Kellyn Acosta 77), Michael Barrios (Atiba Harris 88), Tesho Akindele, Maxi Urruti.
Substitutes Not Used: Jesse Gonzalez, Colin Bonner, Mauro Rosales, Carlos Lizarazo.
Portland Timbers FC: Adam Kwarasey, Nat Borchers (Jack Barmby 72), Alvas Powell, Jermaine Taylor, Diego Chara, Ned Grabavoy (Jack McInerney 46), Lucas Melano, Jack Jewsbury, Diego Valeri, Fanendo Adi (Darren Mattocks 65).
Substitutes Not Used: Zarek Valentin, Jake Gleeson, Taylor Peay, Neco Brett.
Misconduct Summary:
POR: Ned Grabavoy (caution) 17
DAL: Carlos Gruezo (caution) 22
DAL: Walker Zimmerman (caution) 33
POR: Jermaine Taylor (caution) 40
POR: Jack Jewsbury (caution) 58
DAL: Tesho Akindele (caution) 68
DAL: Atiba Harris (caution) 90+1
Referee: Juan Guzman
AR1 (bench): Jeff Hosking; AR2 (opposite): Cameron Blanchard.
Fourth: Daniel Radford
Weather: Rain, 55
Attendance: 21,144
