FC Dallas 2-1 Portland Timbers
Joaquín Valiente delivered the decisive late moment as FC Dallas held off Portland Timbers 2-1 in Major League Soccer on Saturday night at Toyota Stadium.
Dallas took a narrow lead into the interval after Logan Farrington struck in the 45th minute, rewarding the home side with a crucial goal just before the break. The hosts were efficient rather than dominant, operating with only 39.2 percent possession and producing nine shots, five of them on target.
Portland controlled much of the ball and generated consistent pressure, finishing with 60.8 percent possession, 18 shots and four efforts on target. But with the fixture seemingly poised for a tense finish, Valiente gave Dallas breathing room in the 87th minute to make it 2-0.
The Timbers refused to go quietly. Ariel Lassiter pulled one back in the 90+3rd minute, setting up a nervy closing spell for the home supporters, but Dallas saw out the remaining stoppage time to secure all three points.
Farrington’s 45th-minute opener and Valiente’s 87th-minute winner ensured Dallas made the most of their opportunities, while Portland will rue a productive attacking display that ultimately yielded only Lassiter’s late consolation.
The result moves FC Dallas to a 12-7-6 record, while Portland falls to 9-5-11. Dallas next host Austin FC on Saturday, September 19, while the Timbers welcome Atlanta United FC later that evening.
