Portland Timbers vs. FC Dallas: Preseason Match Thread [11:00]

The preseason marches on today as the Portland Timbers are set to take on FC Dallas in Tucson. Following a mid-week draw against the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday and a closed door reserves match against Dallas on Thursday, today’s match should heavily feature the Timbers’ starters as they continue to round into form.

The Timbers will be without Vytas for today’s match following his red card against the Dynamo, which likely means we will see exciting homegrown player Marco Farfan in the starting XI. Some of the Timbers’ other recent additions could also be pushing for inclusion in the XI, although it still seems that the likes of Andy Polo, Cristhian Paredes, and Samuel Armenteros will still be coming off the bench later in the match due to arriving later in the preseason.

Dallas, meanwhile, have made heavy changes to the side that dramatically crashed out of playoff contentions last season. The FCD attacking group of Mauro Diaz, Michael Barrios, and Maximiliano Urruti has been supplemented so far this year by moving Ryan Hollingshead from fullback into a left wing position. Additionally, Dallas’s new designated player Santiago Mosquera has now been with the side for a week and could feature for the Texan side after playing 45’ midweek.

The Dallas back line has been fully revamped from last season. Dallas are sporting a new keeper in Jimmy Maurer, new Timbers boss Giovani Saravese’s former first choice with the New York Cosmos, as well as three new defenders competing for time along the back line in Anton Nedyalkov, Kris Reaves, and Reto Ziegler. Matt Hedges remains Dallas’s anchor in central defense, but a cold held him out of the side’s matches earlier this week and could prevent him from playing against the Timbers. Dallas have also been without USMNT regular Kellyn Acosta for much of the preseason as he recovers from an ankle injury, although he did make a short appearance with the reserves on Thursday.

Match Information

Watch it on: Streaming on Timbers.com

When: Saturday, February 17th at 11:00 a.m. PT

Where: Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, AZ

Portland Timbers: 15-11-8 in 2017, most recently drew the Houston Dynamo 1-1 in preseason

FC Dallas: 11-10-13 in 2017, most recently drew the New England Revolution 2-2 in preseason