FC Dallas is coming off a convincing win last week over the defending MLS Champions Colorado Rapids, but they will need another great performance this week against the Portland Timbers to show their fans that last week was more than a fluke. The Timbers opened their home field Thursday night with a 4-2 win over Chicago and showed Jeld-Wen field will be a tough place to play.
The keys for FCD to get a good result, and more importantly 3 points, at Jeld-Wen field lies in the backline. When George John and Ugo Ihemelu were out there was not a lot of consistency and communication gong on in the back four, until last week. Coach Schellas Hyndman decided to switch to the 4-4-2 formation against Colorado, moving Brek Shea to the left back, John and Ihemelu played the center back positions and Zach Loyd played the right back position. These back four were the most complete back four FCD has put out on the field this year and they will need that communication and consistency in the backline against Timbers FC. The formation with Shea as the left back allowed him to play the ball up and then join in on the attack. As the game went on Shea drew more attention from the Colorado defenders which then gave last year’s most valuable player David Ferreira more opportunities in the middle of the field. FCD also needs to continue to work the ball outside to speedy players like Fabian Castillo and Marvin Chavez, so they can take the ball outside and then cross it into the box. This worked well for Dallas against Colorado and it should test a shaky Timbers backline.
