Quotes: Portland Timbers at FC Dallas
Portland Timbers Quotes
Head Coach John Spencer
General thoughts on the game:
“We dominated for a long period of time in the second half. The difference between the first half and the second half was that we started to believe in ourselves. We started to play a little more up tempo, but then I also think our guys got a little fatigued at the end.”
Thoughts on the season so far:
“It has been a good start to the season. We played two quality teams and if our guys believe in themselves as much as me and my coaches do, we’ll make it to playoffs.”
Goalkeeper Troy Perkins
General thoughts on the match:
“The last 15 minutes of the first half we really started getting possession and momentum for us. We had a lot of chances on goal and maybe on a better day it goes our way. The second half with the wind at our back, especially with that kind of wind, it helps. You are able to get out of your own half with a long ball.”
Midfielder Darlington Nagbe
General thoughts on the game:
“Everyone came out with a lot of energy. It’s as simple as that. The first half we didn’t have as much energy. When we play with energy, we play well as a team. We had more energy the second half. Guys were buzzing around a little bit more after the first 30 minutes. We just came out there with more energy with them and we controlled the game.”
On the goal:
“I just saw the ball go up while I was dropping back. Once it hit the other team I knew I was onsides, so then I just tried to finish. I was in the right place at the right time. It was nothing special. There was no one in front of me it was just me and the goalie.”
Midfielder Eric Alexander
On the team this year:
“The focus is a little higher [than last year] as well as our belief in each other. We have a talented group of guys who can get it done on the road. There are still better games to come.”
On the season so far:
“We took four points from teams that made the playoffs last year, so we’re pretty happy. It would have been nice to win. It’s a good result for being on the road.”
FC Dallas Quotes
Head coach Shellas Hyndman
General thoughts on the game:
“I felt we started off well, thought the first 20-25 minutes we did a lot of things right. Ricardo (Villar) was getting a lot of touches on the ball. At halftime we talked about how Portland would try to add a little more steam and play rough. It was a good result for us considering we were without three of our most important attacking phase players: Fabian Castillo, Brek Shea and David Ferreira. I was really pleased with the effort the boys put in. I was very happy we fought all the way to the last second.”
Thoughts on the second half:
“I just think we are very thin right now. I didn’t want to put a player late in the game and have him try and get into the rhythm of the game. That is why we only used one substitution.”
Midfielder Bryan Leyva
On the shot that led to Blas' goal:
“I was running forward and I saw Carlos [Rodriguez] was going to cross it early. Since the field was wet, I knew there was a chance the ball might slip and come back to the second post. I was able to get there. I shot it first time across and really thought it was going to go in because the field was wet and it was bouncing. Fortunately, the keeper saved it towards Blas [Perez] and he put it away.”
Midfielder Andrew Jacobson
General thoughts on the game:
“It was a tough game. They are a much-improved team, especially on the road. They have a lot of athleticism. They know what they do well and they come in and do it. They make things difficult. I don't think we had our best game. We played a little bit into them and started playing their game a little bit, but we were missing some big players and we needed other guys to step up. There's a lot to take away from that for sure. Guys worked really hard. Everyone gave their all and no matter what happens, that's something that will drive you throughout the season because you're not going to play well every game.”
Notes:
- The Timbers earned their first road point of the season in their first away match of 2012. Last season, it took the Timbers three road games to earn their first road point, coming in a 1-1 draw at New England on April 2, 2011.
- Dating back to 2011, the Timbers are unbeaten in their last four road fixtures, posting a 1-0-3 mark in those contests, and have earned points in five their last six road games.
- The Timbers have already matched their point total from last season from games in which they trailed at halftime on the road. In 2011, the Timbers were 0-7-1 when trailing opponents at the break on the road.
- Goalkeeper Troy Perkins played in his 130th career MLS match and made his 130th career MLS start on Saturday. He ranks 11th all-time among MLS goalkeepers in career games played. Perkins is just one shy of recording his 50th career MLS win.
Darlington Nagbe becomes the fourth different goal scorer for the Timbers this season.
Portland has scored four goals through its first two regular-season matches of 2012, with all four goals being scored in the second half of games.
The Timbers improve to 1-1-1 all-time against FC Dallas. The two sides split their season series in 2011, with each side winning at home.
- Defender Hanyer Mosquera made his MLS debut Saturday for the Timbers, getting the start at central defender alongside Eric Brunner. He was not available for the Timbers season opener Monday at JELD-WEN Field while waiting for his ITC.
Midfielder Eric Alexander played against his former club for the first time Saturday. He was acquired by the Timbers in a late-season trade from FC Dallas in exchange for Jeremy Hall on Aug. 19, 2011.
FC Dallas was without 2011 MLS All-Star and MLS Best XI midfielder Brek Shea, who was called up by the U.S. U-23 National Team earlier this week.
The Timbers are 0-0-1 against Western Conference opponents in 2012.
- Playing on St. Patrick’s Day, the Timbers wore their green primary kits (green-white-green) against FC Dallas. The club is unbeaten this season (1-0-1) when wearing its primary kits.
- Goalkeeper Joe Bendik made his first appearance on the Timbers match-day roster this season, serving as the backup goalkeeper while goalkeeper Jake Gleeson is away with the New Zealand U-23 National Team during its Olympic qualifying tournament.
