MATCH INFORMATION
Date: Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016
Kickoff: 6 p.m. (Pacific)
Location: Toyota Stadium (Frisco, TX)
Forecast: Clear, 82 degrees
Referee: Ted Unkel
Assistant Referees: Apolinar Mariscal, Cameron Blanchard
Fourth Official:Fotis Bazakos
Local TV: KPDX
Talent: Jake Zivin (play-by-play), Ross Smith (analyst), Samantha Yarock (reporter)
English Radio: 750 The Game (KXTG 750 AM, 102.9 FM)
Talent: Keith Bleyer (play-by-play), Brett Jacobs (analyst)
Spanish Radio: La GranD (KGGD 93.5 FM, 1150 AM)
Talent: Josue del Castillo (play-by-play), Ozkar Ramos (analyst)
MATCH PREVIEW
The Timbers venture into Saturday’s contest coming off a 4-2 win against Cascadia-rival Seattle Sounders FC at Providence Park on Aug. 28. Four different players scored for the Timbers in the win. Saturday’s match marks the second fixture at Toyota Stadium between the two teams this season. Despite Portland scoring in the fourth minute of the match from Diego Valeri’s precise finish, the Timbers fell 2-1 to FC Dallas after surrendering a pair of goals early in the second half. FC Dallas head into Saturday’s game following a 3-1 road victory against the Houston Dynamo on Aug. 27. on Aug. 13. After recording a brace against Houston, midfielder Michael Barrios leads the team in goals with eight, while midfielder Mauro Diaz leads the team in assists (10).
LAST MATCH RECAP
The Timbers scored four first-half goals against Seattle Sounders FC on Aug. 28, defeating their Cascadia rivals 4-2 before a sold-out crowd of 21,144 fans at Providence Park. Four different players scored for the Timbers in the win, as forward Fanendo Adi, midfielder Lucas Melano and defenders Vytas and Steven Taylor each tallied a goal in the first half, while Valeri recorded two assists. With the win, the Timbers have won four of their last six matches (4-2-0) played against Sounders FC across all competitions, dating back to June 16, 2015, including two wins in three regular-season matches in 2016. In those two wins, the Timbers have outscored Seattle 7-3 at Providence Park, which ranks tied for the most goals scored by Portland in consecutive home games in the series across all eras (since 1975).
ALL-TIME SERIES NOTES
Saturday’s match against FC Dallas marks the 16th regular-season meeting all-time between the two clubs since 2011. It is the ninth regular-season match at Toyota Stadium since 2011. Both teams met at Toyota Stadium earlier this season on May 11, with FC Dallas taking a 2-1 win. Portland opened the scoring in the fourth minute of play, but Dallas managed to score a pair of goals early in the second half. The Timbers have lost just four times in their last 10 regular-season meetings with FC Dallas (4-4-3), scoring multiple goals in four of those contests and compiling 15 points. Saturday’s game marks the third and final regular-season contest scheduled between Portland and FC Dallas in 2016.
SCOUTING FC DALLAS
Leading the 2016 MLS Supporters’ Shield race with 48 points, five more than second-place side Toronto FC, FC Dallas head into Saturday’s game following a 3-1 road victory against the Houston Dynamo on Aug. 27. Prior to the win against Houston, FC Dallas recorded just one victory in its last four matches, producing a 1-1-2 record. In 2016, Dallas is unbeaten at Toyota Stadium (9-0-4),
winning two of its last three games at home, most recently drawing Sporting Kansas City 2-2 on Aug. 13. After recording a brace against Houston, midfielder Michael Barrios leads the team in goals with eight, while midfielder Mauro Diaz leads the team in assists (10).
