Portland Timbers Run Out of Gas as They Lose 4-1 to FC Dallas

The Portland Timbers fell apart on the road once again as they lost 4-1 to FC Dallas in the sweltering heat of Frisco, Texas. The Timbers went down early and could not find a way to recover when faced with a strong Dallas defense and pacey Dallas attack. The match saw the debut of new designated player Lucas Melano, but contained few other highlights for the Timbers.

The Timbers started off poorly, giving up an early goal in the 12th minute as the ball fell fortunately to Michael Barrios and he slammed it home inside the near post that curled hard away from Adam Kwarasey. The goal came on a quick Dallas break down the pitch that the Timbers were near to clearing, only to have the ball ricochet off Rodney Wallace and fall perfectly for Barrios to run onto.

The Timbers lack of luck held a the half continued when Dallas again streamed down the pitch in the 22nd minute. As Dallas found Fabian Castillo in the Timbers box, Nat Borchers were there to knock the ball away, only to see it fall to Barrios again at the top of the box. With an inch of space, Barrios fired off a hard shot that Liam Ridgewell slid and got a toe to, only to deflect it up and over the dive of Kwarasey, hitting the back of the net and putting Dallas up 2-0.

Things kept getting worse in the second half just when it looked like the Timbers might be able to get back in it. Amid a series of Timbers chances, Dallas worked the ball down the pitch, eventually getting it to homegrown player Kelyn Acosta outside the Timbers box. With both of the Timbers' holding midfielders out of position, Acosta dribbled hard at the central defense and fired off a hard shot that swerved just inside the post, beating Kwarasey and putting Dallas up 3-0.

It was not over there, however, as Dallas got one final goal to close out the match in the 87th minute. With Timbers fans already demoralized, Dallas midfielder Victor Ulloa broke into the Timbers box, only to be taken down by a cleat to the ankle from Jewsbury. Referee Ismail Elfath pointed to the spot with no hesitation, even as replays showed that the foul took place outside the box. Mauro Diaz stepped up and, sending Kwarasey the wrong way, hammered a low shot into the corner of the net.

The Timbers managed to pull a goal back in stoppage time as Melano received the ball in the Dallas box and was taken down by an errant slide tackle. Elfath again pointed to the spot and the trio of Melano, Adi, and Fernandez all stepped up to take the penalty. In the end Adi placed it and fired home a hard shot of his own, beating Kennedy and getting the Timbers on the board in the final seconds of the match.

The loss leaves the Timbers in 6th place in the Western Conference. The Timbers continue their road trip next Saturday with a match against the San Jose Earthquakes.