FC Dallas vs. Portland Timbers – Western Conference Championships 2nd Leg
Sunday, November 29th, 5:00 p.m. ET, Toyota Stadium, Frisco TX.
FC Dallas are going to try and come back from a devastating 3-1 loss at Portland last Sunday on the first leg of Major League Soccer’s Western Conference Finals. It will be a touch call to come back from a 2-goal deficit in aggregate.
However, it was FC Dallas still has the fresh legs, aggression and youthfulness of players that will enable them to push forward, in hope of returning to their normal form of explosive attacks.
Add to that, the home advantage, that if reflecting on Major League Soccer’s regular season is one of Dallas’s core strengths. The team had won 13 games at home and lost only 2 during the regular season – the best in MLS. Also including, a 4-1 home win against the Portland Timbers in July.
FC Dallas will need to rely heavily on Mauro Diaz, with the Argentine midfielder doing what he knows best which is to become attack from the third half.
Together with Diaz, FC Dallas will need to rely on Columbian winger-forward Fabian Castillo and goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez to orchestrate a comeback and bring FC Dallas back into the shooting distance from the MLS Cup Final.
Visitors Portland Timbers are one game away from their first-ever MLS Cup appearance, and are backed not only by the epic 3-1 win of the first leg, but also with a very impressive record of 7 wins on the road in the regular Major League Soccer Season.
As if done it to fulfil expectations of their seniority and experience that counts, the two iconic Timers veterans scored two of the three goals in the first leg of the MLS Western Conference Finals, defenders Liam Ridgwell and Nat Borchers.
In addition, Portland’s midfielders Diego Valeri and Rodney Wallace who were on suspension due to yellow cards in the first leg will be available this weekend for more tail wind.
So again, what will happen? Anything is possibly really. Only one thing is for sure: it’s going to be yet another thrilling night of Major League Soccer.
