Portland returns home on Wednesday for a nationally televised mid-week game against FC Dallas (7pm PT, ESPN2) after taking care of things on Saturday with a 3-1 win over Real Salt Lake. The Timbers are on a bit of a hot streak lately with only one loss in their last eight games. Portland is just two points behind Vancouver heading into Wednesday night, with 19 points after 15 games played. Let's check out four numbers to know as the Timbers take on FC Dallas.
4 With the win on Saturday against Real Salt Lake, Portland notched their first victory at Rio Tinto Stadium in MLS. It was their first win in four tries in Salt Lake City, and marked a four-game streak without a loss on the road for the Timbers. Portland has now beat Real Salt Lake, New York Red Bulls and Chivas USA away from Providence Park in 2014, and have not lost as a road team since April 19.
40%Fanendo Adi has been a dominant force since joining the Timbers in mid-May of 2014. The Nigerian forward has recorded two braces, putting home four goals in five games for Portland. Adi has been incredibly efficent in his goal-scoring opportunities, taking 10 shots (eight of them on goal) and connecting on four.
Eight On Saturday, Diego Valeri recorded his eigth assist of the 2014 MLS season, sending a corner into the box for striker Fanendo Adi for a brilliant header to the back post. Valeri leads MLS in assists, and has scored two goals of his own this season, including an equalizer back on May 11 when he put in a right-footed goal against the LA Galaxy to in the 95th minute.
92.31Jorge Villafaña has made the most of his opportunity since joining the starting lineup against the New York Red Bulls on May 24. With a tackle success rate of 92.31%, Villafaña is now tops among defenders for the Timbers. Even further, he is averaging 2.4 tackles, 1.8 interceptions and 3.4 clearances per-game. It also helps that his low, curling left-footed crosses across the six are deadly accurate.
2 When FC Dallas visit Portland on Wednesday, they'll be just 61 miles from Dallas. No, not that Dallas -- Dallas, Oregon. Named after former Vice President George M. Dallas, the small town of 15,000 people is nestled in the foothills of the Willamette Valley. Mr. Dallas, if you will, is also thought to be the namesake behind Texas' metropolitan area, but the details behind the naming of Texas' third-largest city is less clear, according to the Texas State Historical Association.
