Portland Timbers Quotes
Portland Timbers head coach Caleb Porter
On tonight's game...
“I thought it was a closer game than 4-1, but the only thing that matters is we lost 4-1 and that's all that people care about. Ultimately, that's all I care about and that's all the guys in the locker room care about. I thought we came out very well in the first 10 minutes. On their first chance, they (FC Dallas) get on a counter and they score. We get a couple more chances and they score again on their second chance. Obviously, now we're in a hole, 2-0 down. I thought we came out and started the second half very well. We had two or three clear chances that would have changed the game. If we score, we go 2-1, but again they come down on the first chance they get and now it's 3-0. It's a game where you leave feeling that you played better than the score, but all we care about is the result and it has to be better. I take responsibility, I'm the coach. I apologize to the fans. We took one on the chin today, but we need to pick ourselves back up and get back to work. The season's not lost, we're still in a playoff position with 12 games to go, but we need to do better and certainly get a better result.”
On if he thought the Timbers could get back in the game after an early deficit…
“There were a lot of signs in the first half that we could get back in it. I thought the first half was a little bit cruel. I didn't think we deserved to be down 2-0, but that's how football goes sometimes and you have to play through. I thought we started the second half very well. We get two chances, Liam (Ridgewell) six yards out and Alvas (Powell). Those were chances that were just as good or better than the chances they had, and that's why I always believe the game comes down to the boxes. What you do on the attacking end and finishing, and what you do in the defensive end, in terms of making plays and stopping shots, cutting out crosses and making saves. I feel that's where we fell short today, in the boxes. Box to box we were organized and kept the ball, got in good positions, and they didn't get in many positions on us. Ultimately, they were clinical and they finished their chances. You have to give them credit. They scored four goals on six shots on target.”
On FC Dallas’ current form…
“You have to give them credit, they're on a good run. This is their fifth win in a row, but I thought we came out and played well but the game didn't fall and we didn't seem to get any breaks. I'm not sure on the fourth goal that’s a penalty, but I'll look at it on the tape. At that point it's irrelevant, but people will see the 4-1 and think we got completely dominated and I don't think that happened. Ultimately, all that matters is the result and we need to do better in terms of getting results on the road.”
Portland Timbers midfielder Diego Valeri
On tonight's game...
"It's a strange feeling because it was 4-1 and we deserved more. In the end, we have to fix a lot of mistakes in both boxes."
On the difficulty breaking FC Dallas down...
"They stopped us a few times. We missed a lot of chances, set pieces, but it's a tough game, tough feeling. In the end, they scored four goals, so they were good."
FC Dallas Quotes
FC Dallas head coach Oscar Pareja
Overall thoughts on the game...
“Another big night for the boys. We had some outstanding performances from players who we brought to this team to be effective, to be on the scoreboard and to help the team make the difference. This was the case tonight. We beat a very good team, one of the most organized in the league, and that makes us even happier. I always say that a game doesn't end right there - we gave up a goal at the end, which gave us a little bit of a sour taste. In soccer you cannot relax or pretend that everything is done - it has to be better all the time. We will keep building. It was great work from the players - they were consistent during the last minutes and defensively and offensively created chances throughout the entire game.”
On growth amongst the younger players...
“We're in an ongoing process - we're growing, we're still young. Now I'm seeing a combination of that young energy and spirit that you see in the field with some maturity that we are getting into the games. The boys are certainly growing.”
FC Dallas midfielder Michael Barrios
On his two goals…
“I’m very happy with the confidence that the coach and team have in me right now, so it was great to get those two goals tonight. Oscar [Pareja] has always told me that if I give it all at training, I will be rewarded on the field. I am just happy I was able to show it on the field tonight.”
On getting the three points…
“Being up two-nil gave us confidence. I am glad we were able to finish out the match and keep the result.”
Notes:
- Forward Lucas Melano, who signed with the club on July 17, made his MLS and team debut on Saturday, entering the match as a substitute in the 64th minute. Melano drew a penalty kick in the second minute of second-half stoppage time.
- Forward Fanendo Adi registered his ninth goal of the season, tying his MLS single-season career high set during the 2014 season.
- Midfielder Diego Valeri made his 75th career MLS appearance for Portland on Saturday. Valeri joined the Timbers ahead of the 2013 MLS season and has registered Timbers MLS career-highs in goals (23) and assists (30).
- Saturday’s match marked head coach Caleb Porter’s 90th regular-season match for the Timbers.
- Despite Saturday’s loss, the Timbers have registered a 6-3-1 overall record in their last 10 games.
- Defender Nat Borchers had one block on Saturday, pushing his MLS-leading total to 25 blocks this season – seven more than the next closest player (Jason Hernandez, 18).
- Saturday’s loss was just Portland’s second against FC Dallas in the last nine regular-season meetings (4-2-3).
