FRISCO - It’s a Western Conference clash on Saturday night as FC Dallas host the Portland Timbers in the first of two meetings this season. Dallas (4-0-2) became the last-standing MLS unbeaten with a 1-0 win over SKC last week, while Portland (5-2-1) comes to town off a 3-1 win over Vancouver that left them without their leading scorer this weekend.
Heavyweight Bout
With 16 points on the year, the Timbers are the top team in MLS through eight weeks, but FC Dallas is nipping at their heels in the Western Conference standings with 14 points and two fewer games played. Portland has scored a league-best 18 goals in 2017 and they’ll see an FCD defense that has allowed just three goals in six games – two of which came from the penalty spot. Their 0.50 GAA is the league’s best such mark.
Key Match-Ups
Walker Zimmerman vs. Fandendo Adi: Fresh off suspension and without the services of Diego Valeri this weekend, Adi will be the top offensive threat for the visitors. At 6-foot, 4-inches, the Nigerian is a dangerous threat through the air and has five goals this year, but he’ll clash against one of the league’s top aerial defenders in Dallas.
Michael Barrios vs. Vytautas Andriuskevicius: Not only is this match-up intriguing on a name alone, but the dangerous winger’s attacking threat will go a long way in thwarting the outside back’s tenancy to push into the Timbers’ attack. Barrios came on for the last 20 minutes against SKC and produced a goal in his brief appearance. He’ll be back in a starting role this weekend.
Last Time Out
(4-2-3-1): Jeff Attinella; Vytautas Andriuskevicius, Liam Ridgewell, Lawrence Olum, Alvas Powell; Diego Chara, David Guzman; Darlington Nagbe, Diego Valeri (ruled out vs. FCD), Dairon Asprilla; Darren Mattocks (Adi suspended).
Key to Three Points
FC Dallas’ defensive prowess to begin 2017 will be put to the test against a prolific offense this weekend. Where Dallas will look to have more success is on their own offensive front, but if they can find the net once or twice and stand tall on the back end, they can make it a perfect six wins at Toyota Stadium across all competitions on the year.