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FC Dallas vs. Portland Timbers: Preview and How to Watch

By Chuck Wharton

Apr 8, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; A general view of Toyota Stadium for the match with FC Dallas playing against Minnesota United FC at Toyota Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; A general view of Toyota Stadium for the match with FC Dallas playing against Minnesota United FC at Toyota Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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FC Dallas surprised fans last week by setting the 4-4-2 aside and showing a freewheeling 4-2-3-1. Win or lose, the Portland Timbers will show the same scheme. So expect the home team to keep the wild offense on display in Frisco Texas.

The Portland Timbers know the offense-manic formation FC Dallas will employ very well. If they keep second-half energy up, they will keep the game close. Maybe they could even pull off a tough road win in Frisco, Texas.

FC Dallas

Mar 18, 2017; Frisco, TX, USA; FC Dallas midfielder Kellyn Acosta (23) in action against the New England Revolution during the game at Toyota Stadium. FC Dallas defeats New England Revolution 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2017; Frisco, TX, USA; FC Dallas midfielder Kellyn Acosta (23) in action against the New England Revolution during the game at Toyota Stadium. FC Dallas defeats New England Revolution 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
  • Current Record (W-L-D): 4-0-2
  • Last Time Out: 1-0 win over Sporting Kansas City
  • Player to watch out for: M Kellyn Acosta, who will captain the team through the midfield in their new, offense-manic formation. He takes part in the offense once they get into the zone, with two goals on seven shots and an assist this season.
  • Why they win: The team rolls over the opposition at home, maintaining the steady pressure they’ve kept up like no other squad this season.
  • Why they won’t: FC Dallas realizes too late that Portland knows how to better use their formation than the home team does.

Projected Dallas Lineup (4-2-3-1):

Portland Timbers

Mar 3, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Timbers midfielder Darlington Nagbe (6) runs past Minnesota United midfielder Kevin Molino (18) in the first half at Providence Park. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Timbers midfielder Darlington Nagbe (6) runs past Minnesota United midfielder Kevin Molino (18) in the first half at Providence Park. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /
  • Current Record (W-L-D): 5-2-1
  • Last Time Out: 2-1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps.
  • Player to Watch out for: M Darlington Nagbe is a passing magician in the midfield, as well as a goal artist. He has two goals on 13 shots, plus three assists.
  • Why they win: They’ll face their favorite formation, 4-2-3-1, from the other side of the field. They know how to use it, as well as defend it.
  • Why they won’t: They use up too much offensive momentum in the first half. Also, they struggle without M Diego Valeri, ruled out of this match with a hip injury.

Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1):

Next: MLS Week 9 Injury Update

How to Watch:

Where: Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas

When: Saturday, April 29, 8 p.m. ET

Channels: TXA 21, FCDallas.com (Dallas-Fort Worth only), 100.7 FM (English) 1070 AM (Spanish) in DFW; Root Sports (Portland), 102.9 FM 750 AM (Portland); and online www.750thegame.com and MLSLIVE.com.

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