:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/18032127/20130626_ajw_sh2_145.0.jpg)
The Portland Timbers take on visiting FC Dallas today as both teams are looking for a win to claw their way out of the morass in Major League Soccer's Western Conference. With six teams all within three points of second place in the west, wins are at a premiums right now for both squads.
Here are all the details you need:
General Information
Watch it on: KPDX
Kick off: 8:00 at Jeld-Wen Field.
Portland Timbers: 35 points (4th Place in the Western Conference).
FC Dallas: 33 points (7th Place in the Western Conference).
Starting Lineups
Portland Timbers: Ricketts ©; Powell, Jean-Baptiste, Kah, Harrington; Chara, Valeri, Zemanski; Nagbe, R. Johnson, Wallace.
FC Dallas: Fernandez, Michel, John, Hedges, Acosta, Erick, Diaz, Ferreira, Castillo, Jackson, Perez.
Final Thoughts
The Timbers need to capitalize on their home field advantage against a floundering Dallas side today. FC Dallas are still a dangerous team, as Caleb Porter pointed out at practice yesterday, but they are winless in their last ten league games and have lost to the Timbers twice in that span. A potential switch to a 4-4-2 diamond, as well as Dallas's recent loss of Zachary Loyd to injury, could see the Timbers wide attack take Dallas apart, as long as the home defense can contain their tricky attack.