Franck Boli’s fourth goal uplifts the Portland Timbers past FC Dallas

Franck Boli has found the back of the net for the Portland Timbers, scoring his fourth goal of the campaign and being the difference maker in a 1-0 win over FC Dallas at Providence Park on Sunday night.

Thanks to an Evander and Diego Chara combination, the Ivorian became tied with the Brazilian for the team scoring lead to snap a four-game winless drought.

So far, Boli’s score was the Timbers’ second in their last five games. The Timbers had a number of opportunities, but couldn’t score the go-ahead goal. Still, Portland (5-7-5, 20 points) displayed a very stingy defensive game all night long.

Give Dallas keeper Maarten Paes a cigar for displaying a tough game and not letting the Timbers display the game they are comfortable with and could have been a rout if hade he not made a whopping seven saves.

It was a busy night for the man from the Netherlands.

FC Dallas lost its striker Jesus Jimenez, which added manager Nico Estevez’s woes as both midfielders Sebastien Lletget and Paul Arriola were already unavailable come game time.

In the end, Evander became a leader in the offensive attack and being the one that put the assist for Franck Boli’s lone score.

In the 35^th minute, Evander took a pass at midfield and had the opening to pass to an open Franck Boli who pushed the ball with a header sending the whole of Providence Park into a frenzy.

More chances came for the Portland Timbers with Santiago Moreno almost scoring in the end, Paes denied him of the second goal, contrary to Portland’s goalkeeper David Bingham who wasn’t busy all night long.

In the end, he vehemently rejected a shot from Sebastien Ibeagha and not allowing FC Dallas to level the game in the late minutes of the game and getting the clean sheet in the conclusion of this exciting match.

Goals

Franck Boli 35’ PTFC

Men of the Match

Franck Boli and David Bingham