Matthew Hedges and Darion Asprilla battle in the 2015 playoffs at Providence Park. Photo credit: Diego Diaz
FC Dallas are facing a big week with a match against the Portland Timbers at Providence Park this Wednesday, April 13th. Portland is not an easy place to play, and FC Dallas have yet to get a win there since the Timbers joined MLS in 2011.
Both teams will be looking to make statements of seasonal intent. Both teams have suffered some embarrassing losses away from home this season: FC Dallas to Houston Dynamo, and Portland Timbers to Orlando City. Both teams have played to recent disappointing draws, both home and away. Both teams are also dealing with injuries to key players: Darlington Nagbe is out after the tackle from Nigel De Jong, and FC Dallas could potentially be without the services of Mauro Diaz for the third game in a row.
Fortunately for Dallas, they have a second Mauro, Mauro Rosales, who provided an offensive spark when he came onto the pitch with half an hour to go in Saturday’s draw with San Jose Earthquakes at Toyota Stadium.
Oscar Pareja was asked several questions about his two Mauros after that match, and it sounded like the changes Rosales brought to the field might earn him a start in Portland:
What Mauro [Rosales] did today was a key component of that second half. When he came up and gave us those ideas, he’s obviously an option that we can consider for the next game….I thought he gave us probably what Mauro Diaz gave us when he is on the field. So I’m very happy with Rosales.
Pareja also stated that he was “not going to play anyone that was not 100%.” Given the short turnaround time for today’s match, it is unlikely that Diaz would travel to Portland, especially considering he could completely fit and rested for the game on Sunday, April 17th at home against Sporting KC.
Another big talking point of this match will be the return of Maximiliano Urruti to play against the team he helped win the MLS Cup last season. FC Dallas acquired Urruti from Portland in the 2015 Re-entry Draft. The striker has started every match and tallied 3 goals so far this season.
Although both teams will not be full strength, Dallas will want to improve on their record playing away in Portland, especially after losing the first leg of the 2015 playoffs 3-1 in Portland. Likewise, Portland will want put together a strong performance at home to show their fans that the slow start to the 2016 season is nothing to be concerned with.
Fans of both teams can definitely get their tissues ready for tonight’s installment of this budding Western Conference rivalry.
FC Dallas
Portland
