Portland Timbers @ FC Dallas Match Thread: Heavyweights

The Portland Timbers will take on FC Dallas tonight in their second midweek game in a row. This time, however, they're not playing at home, they're playing in Dallas where they've historically had a rough time. But this is a new squad, with new faces, a new head coach, a new found sense of confidence. If FC Dallas thinks that they'll be able to bowl over the Timbers tonight they'll have to rethink their game plan. This is not the same team from 2012.

Here are the details:

General Information

Watch it on: ROOT SPORTS

Kick off: 6:00 pm at FC Dallas Stadium

Portland Timbers: 14 points in the Western Conference.

FC Dallas: 20 points in the Western Conference.

Starting Lineups

Portland Timbers: Donovan Ricketts, Michael Harrington, Futty Danso, Andrew Jean-Baptiste, Jack Jewsbury, Diego Chara, Diego Valeri, Will Johnson (c), Darlington Nagbe, Frederic Piquionne, Kalif Alhassan

FC Dallas: Fernandez, Loyd, Woodberry, Hedges, Benitez, Castillo, Watson, Michel, Ferreira, Cooper, Perez

Final Thoughts

The Timbers have a game tonight and then another game in quick succession on Sunday at home against Chivas USA. If they can get 4 out of the 6 possible points this weekend it'll leave them in good shape in the standings. Remember, this year isn't about winning the Supporter's Shield. While that would certainly be nice, this year is just about improving and getting into the playoffs for the first time since joining MLS.