Match Recap & Highlights: FC Dallas 1 - 1 Portland Timbers
Match Recap & Highlights: FC Dallas 1 - 1 Portland Timbers
Franck fires Portland level in Frisco, rescues a late lone point in the Lone Star State
The Portland Timbers (1-2-3) salvaged a point at the death against FC Dallas (2-2-2) down south, a 1-1 draw after a stoppage time equalizer from debutant Franck Boli.
Recap
Marvin Loría and David Bingham both picked up hamstring injuries in the draw against the LA Galaxy in the Timbers’ previous contest, adding to the Timbers’ ever-growing unavailable list. This meant a return to the lineup for Aljaž Ivačič despite the public airing of grievances between he and head coach Giovanni Savarese last week. The injury list also meant a start on the right wing for Juan Mosquera, who only recently met back up with the squad following a call-up from the Colombian National Team.
The Timbers’ first half was a welcome change from what they showed in their opening five matches of the season, as well as what they normally show in Texas at this time of the year. It was compact, it was direct in attack, and it was resolute in defense.
Santi Moreno’s strike hit the woodwork at the half-hour mark following a breathtaking counter, and Ivačič displayed the abilities that saw him become one of the better goalkeepers in MLS during the 2022 season with two fantastic saves.
It was more of the same to start the second half as Ivačič continued to bail out the backline with elite shot-stopping, but the hosts took the lead through Facundo Quignon in the 74th minute.
But in dramatic fashion, the Portland’s freshest face produced a dramatic equalizer with two minutes remaining, capping off a frisky night down in Frisco.
Highlights
16’ A slow start to the match got a bit testy just after the quarter-hour mark when Nathan Fogaça went down in the box after his shot was blocked by Jesus Ferreira. Ferreira then stood over the Timbers’ striker and a small scuffle, led by Juan Mosquera, ensued.
28’ YELLOW CARD Alan Velasco was shown a yellow card for a late, reckless challenge on Diego Chara. Truth be told, it could have also been for persistent infringement, as Velasco had already commit a few fouls across the pitch.
30’ WOODWORK After one of Portland’s most lethal counterattacks of the season, Santiago Moreno nearly opened the scoring from close range. An excellent through-ball from Fogaça sent Mosquera past former Timber Marco Farfan, and after displaying his blistering pace, Mosquera fired a low cross into Moreno, who hit the post.
37’ Back in the starting lineup, Ivačič produced an excellent reaction save to deny Geovane Jesus a powerful close-range header off of a Ferreira corner.
39’ Ivačič sprung into action again two minutes later, producing a fantastic fingertip save to deny Velasco a stunning right-footed curler from outside the box.
44’ YELLOW CARD Edwin Cerrillo was shown a yellow card for a foul on Fogaça that stopped a promising counterattack for the Timbers.
45’ Two minutes of stoppage time were added to the end of the first half.
HALFTIME: FC DALLAS 0 - 0 PORTLAND TIMBERS
54’ Claudio Bravo made a goal-saving tackle to block a free strike from close-range, last-ditch defending at its very best from the Timbers’ Argentine left back.
60’ Santi Moreno sent a left-footed strike whistling just past the post off of a cleanly-hit half-volley. A few inches to the right and Moreno would have opened the scoring with a special goal.
61’ SUBS Jarosław Niezgoda and, for the first time in 2023, Dairon Asprilla entered the match for the Timbers, replacing Diego Gutierrez and Nathan Fogaça
63’ For a third time in the match, Ivačič produced a simply stunning save to deny Velasco another screamer of a strike from distance, flying through the air to get a big paw to the shot.
74’ GOAL FC DALLAS, 1-0 Moments after making another incredible reaction save, Ivačič was finally beaten in the Timbers’ goal by Facundo Quignon. The ball was recycled back into the box, and after a failed clearance, Quignon swiveled onto his left and hammered a low-strike into the net.
76’ DISALLOWED GOAL, FC DALLAS The hosts thought they had doubled their lead in as many minutes through Velasco, but Jesús Jiménez was caught offside in the buildup following a pass from Paul Arriola.
77’ Mosquera came extremely close to equalizing for the Timbers in the 77th minute, but Maarten Paes closed the strike down quickly to block with an outstretched arm.
80’ SUB Tega Ikoba replaced Juan Mosquera for the Timbers.
86’ SUBS Larrys Mabiala entered the match for Eric Miller, and Santi Moreno was replaced by debutant Franck Boli.
90’ Four minutes of stoppage time were added at the end of the second half.
90+2’ GOAL PORTLAND TIMBERS, 1-1 FRANCK. BOLI. WELCOME TO PORTLAND. In the second minute of second half stoppage time the Timbers’ newest arrival came up with a special, special goal on his debut, lashing a left-footed strike home with two minutes left to play.
FULL TIME: FC DALLAS 1 - 1 PORTLAND TIMBERS
Final Thoughts
The first half was a very good one from the Timbers, arguably the best they have played all season. Moreno was unlucky to hit the post following a prototypical Savarese counter, and the defense limited a potent Dallas offense to just two shots on goal, both of which were saved brilliantly by Ivačič.
I think it’s worth noting that the defensive stability was thanks in large part to how positionally sound Diego Chara and Eryk Williamson were in midfield. There have been several points so far this season where runners weren’t tracked in the midfield, which leads to attacking overloads for the opposition to benefit from. In the first half, there was very little of that.
That compact shape continued for about 15 minutes of the second half before Dallas started cranking up the heat, and controlling more of the ball. Despite his best efforts, Ivačič and the Timbers finally cracked under the pressure in the 73rd minute, conceding the opener following a failed defensive clearance. Sam said it best on Twitter:
In my opinion, the fact that the Timbers started faltering around the hour mark wasn’t a coincidence. In the 61st minute Savarese opted to bring on Niezgoda and Asprilla up top, which was a bit of a momentum shift. I’ll give Asprilla a break because it’s his return from injury, but Niezgoda offered none of the pace or outlet ball that Nathan did prior to being replaced.
But just when it looked like all hope was lost, and the Timbers would be leaving Texas on the losing end again, Franck Boli popped up with that stunner on his debut. I haven’t celebrated a goal like that in a while, because the Timbers really did deserve something from the game.
It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t perfect, but I’m hopeful that this positive performance and result in a historically difficult place can be what the team needs to jump-start their season.
UP NEXT: The Timbers will face off against the Vancouver Whitecaps for the first Cascadia Cup match of the season on Saturday, April 8, up in Vancouver B.C. looking to defend their title. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT.
Match Recap & Highlights: FC Dallas 1 - 1 Portland Timbers
Once they're fully fit, only Boli or Ikoba should start up top. Nathan late game sub, emergencies, rotation. Niezgoda becomes our chief cheerleader until we can get rid of him.
Thumbs up to Ivacic. Not only did he have a couple nice/amazing saves that kept us in the game, but his distribution is better than Bingham’s. Less high looping floaters, flatter trajectory on both goal kicks and punts makes them more dangerous.
Bravo to Bravo, McGraw and Suparic, all three had good games.
Williamson discovered there is another half to the field behind the center line. He did well back there.