FC Dallas 1, Portland Timbers 1
Toyota Stadium
Frisco, Texas
Not easy for the mighty PTFC when they come to play in Frisco, Texas where they do not enjoy a positive record and always this field has been a bit difficult to play. Still the Mighty PTFC playing against all odds and facing a momentum stricken FC Dallas, the odds of a positive result was null.
One thing this match exposed a resurgent Portland Timbers initial eleven claiming to become a contender and near of almost achieving a positive result in Toyota Stadium.
With a controversy before the start of the match with an absent captain, Liam Ridgewell not was making the trip at all and taking his place Bill Poni Tuiloma taking his place a gamble that at the end paid off for Savarese.
Another amazing move performed by the Portland Manager was the formation used and substituting the traditional 4-2-3-1 used in the past and now sending a 4-3-2-1 with Diego Valeri and Sebastian Blanco paring with a lone Adi in the frontal attack.
The highlight for the Timbers initial eleven was the defensive game performed by the Portland foursome backfield alongside the threesome in the defensive midfield that at the end worked wonders.
One in defense with Alvas Powell and Zarek Valentin playing in the sides and with center backs bill Tuiloma and Larry Mabbialas, these center back dup did step up their game and despite the score by Dallas midfielder Roland Lamah in the 36.
The Rose City squad defensive game became motivated to deny the Dallas strikers in the remainder of the match any liberties toward the posts defended by Jake Gleeson, who had an amazing game.
Another point to show up was the presence of Diego Chara upgrading the Portland defense and giving Lawrence Olum and Cristhian Paredes a lot of confidence and character in their game.
Still despite the improvement seen in the Rose City game today, some of its players really need to get back to their old form and so far Diego Valeri last campaign MVP he has not been displaying the game we are accustomed from him.
In addition, whenever the man takes the ball he is subject of getting mob by opposite defenses of not allow him to show off his best game.
However, this translates as a gain for Sebastian Blanco, who in the campaign leads the Portland squad with two goals and today beauty of a spectacular goal scored in the early seconds of the second half, shows off how he will be taking the team.
At the end, this match ended with a draw and with more time of possession and shoots at goal for FC Dallas but Portland did took the match seriously and showed more discipline that almost delivered them their first win of 2018.
Despite coming short in a couple of opportunities and playing with ten men left after Lawrence Olum being red carded in the 75 minute for a handball, the Timbers later came near with Alvas Powell charging and sending a near shoot. If any of these plays in the 74 and 83 minutes could made the difference and become the game winners.
Still the Portland Timbers saw a far better advancement in their game and awakening a more positive outlook before their next compromise against the Chicago Fire of possibly seeing a positive result.
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