FRISCO, Texas – The Portland Timbers were unable to overcome a two-goal halftime deficit in a 3-1 away loss against FC Dallas before 14,207 fans at Toyota Stadium on Saturday night. Midfielder Diego Valeri scored Portland’s lone goal in the second half, recording his 11th goal of the season.
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FC Dallas took the lead after referee Ted Unkel pointed to the spot in the 12th minute of play, with midfielder Mauro Diaz placing his penalty-kick effort just past Timbers goalkeeper Jake Gleeson. FC Dallas doubled its advantage in stoppage time of the first half when midfielder Victor Ulloa pounced on a deflected clearance inside the 18-yard box, slotting his first-time chance into the back of the net.
Portland (9-11-8, 35pts) opened the second half with a strong goal-scoring chance when midfielder Lucas Melano produced a powerful first-time effort from just outside the 18-yard box, driving his strike off the crossbar in the 52nd minute of play. Forward Fanendo Adi managed to connect with the rebound, but headed his chance at FC Dallas goalkeeper Chris Seitz, who managed to make the save.
One minute later, FC Dallas (15-7-6, 51pts) extended its edge when defender Walker Zimmerman connected with Diaz’s free kick, nodding a strong header into the back of the net.
Continuing to press forward, Portland cut the home side’s lead to two goals when defender Zarek Valentin played a cross into the box, finding Valeri, who produced a clinical volley to beat Seitz in the 87th minute. With the finish, Valeri ranks tied for the eighth-most goals scored in MLS this season.
Creating additional chances to score, the Timbers produced a strong effort in the second half when midfielder Jack Jewsbury’s corner kick connected with defender Steven Taylor, whose effort went just wide of the far post, while Vytas’ cross in the 31st minute nearly connected with Adi, but the FC Dallas defense managed to clear away the danger. Twelve minutes prior to Taylor’s chance, Melano broke free in behind FC Dallas’ defense, rounding the goalkeeper before playing the ball back across the face of goal to Valeri, who had his threatening chance deflected wide for a corner kick.
Next up, the Timbers will play host to Real Salt Lake at Providence Park on Saturday, Sept. 10; kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. (Pacific). The match will feature a live broadcast on ROOT SPORTS with local radio broadcasts on 750 AM/102.9 FM The Game (English) and La GranD 1150 AM/93.5 FM (Spanish).
Portland Timbers (9-11-8, 35pts) vs. FC Dallas (15-7-6, 51pts)
Sept. 3, 2016 – Toyota Stadium (Frisco, Texas)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Portland Timbers 0 1 1
FC Dallas 2 1 3
Scoring Summary:
DAL: Diaz (Penalty kick), 12
DAL: Ulloa, 45+2
DAL: Zimmerman (Diaz), 53
POR: Valeri (Valentin), 87
Misconduct Summary:
POR: Jewsbury (Caution), 22
DAL: Ortiz (Caution), 46
POR: Ridgewell (Caution), 52
DAL: Hedges (Caution), 54
DAL: Urruti (Caution), 59
POR: Grabavoy (Caution), 90+2
Lineups & Stats:
POR: GK Gleeson, D Valentin, D S. Taylor, D Ridgewell ©, D Vytas, M Chara (Grabavoy, 69), M Jewsbury, M Barmby (Mattocks, 46), M Valeri, M Melano, F Adi (McInerney, 75)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Konopka, D Peay, M Okugo, M Zemanski
TOTAL SHOTS: 7 (Valeri, 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 1 (Valeri, 1); FOULS: 20 (Three players tied, 3); OFFSIDES: 3; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: 6
DAL: GK Seitz, D Harris, D Zimmerman, D Hedges, D Hollingshead, M Ortiz (Guillen, 74), M Ulloa, M Rosales (Getterson, 69), M Diaz, M Barrios (Craft, 84), F Urruti
Substitutes Not Used: GK Gonzalez, F Bonner, F Lizarazo, F Pitter
TOTAL SHOTS: 13 (Urruti, 5); SHOTS ON GOAL: 9 (Three players tied, 2); FOULS: 12 (Urruti, 5); OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 4; SAVES: 0
Referee: Ted Unkel
Assistant Referees: Apolinar Mariscal, Cameron Blanchard
4th Official: Fotis Bazakos
Attendance: 14,207
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial
