Darlington Nagbe is the “FCD Killer”. He has scored a goal in each of their three meetings this year. With Dallas currently just two points below the Timbers, Nagbe needs to bring the same level of intensity to this match. Getting the full three points on Saturday is vital to both teams playoff pictures and as such I expect a number of cards.
The Timbers go into this game banged up, but rested. Will Johnson and Frederic Piquionne will likely sit out. With Chara back this means that either Ben Zemanski or Jewsbury will start in the midfield with Alvas Powell at RB. While Jewsbury could return to the backline, his lack of speed is a real weakness when playing against FC Dallas. Fabian Castillo, Blas Perez, and Jackson can all blow past him. This is where Powell shines. He isn’t polished, but his speed can make up for lack of experience in this case. Ryan Johnson should be expected to start up top as well.
Dallas is rumored to be changing up their lineup to a 4-4-2 and I think this gives Portland an edge. Wallace and Nagbe should have more room to operate facing a diamond and they are the two players who need to be unleashed. Nagbe and Powell can also combine nicely on the outside thanks to their speed. A right back moving upfield makes it easier for Nagbe to take players one-on-one and that’s when he becomes a true goal threat and typically gets fouled. Valeri has been getting closer on free kicks and I think he could put one in thanks to Nagbe getting fouled.
The away team is caught in a downward spiral and haven’t gotten a win over the last 11 games. While Dallas only trails the Timbers by two points, they’re three spots behind in seventh place. They’ll also be missing Zach Loyd and Andrew Jacobson after sustaining injuries last week against LA. FCD is leaking goals right now. Last game they gave up three goals, the game before they also have up three goals, the game before that non, and the game before that another three goals. That’s nine goals over four games, six goals in the first two weeks of August.
Even with their shaky defense, Dallas has the perfect set of attacking players to poke holes in the Portland backline. Their speed on the wings combined with Ferreira’s free kicks and Blas Perez’s finishing makes for a credible threat. The FCD center backs are also huge, something that the Timbers can have a tough time dealing with. Hopefully Porter has been working on free kick defense.
Projected Lineups
Portland Timbers: Donovan Ricketts; Michael Harrington, Pa Modou Kah, Andrew Jean-Baptiste, Alvas Powell; Diego Chara, Diego Valeri, Ben Zemanski; Rodney Wallace, Ryan Johnson, Darlington Nagbe
FC Dallas: Raul Fernandez; Kellyn Acosta, Matt Hedges, George John, Jair Benitez; Fabian Castillo, Erick, David Ferreira, Jackson; Blas Perez, Kenny Cooper
