The Portland Timbers are in a bit of a scoring drought, with only two goals in their past four games heading into their match against FC Dallas. To make matters worse, left back Claudio Bravo was out due to yellow card accumulation, and the Timbers had fallen to 12th in the Western Conference standings.
Dallas, on the other hand, came into the game in tied for third in the west.
Portland needed three points, badly.
The Timbers showed their hunger early and often, forcing Dallas to play the majority of the game on the back foot. The visitors looked nothing like their usual selves, and the Timbers picked them apart all game.
The one issue for the Portland Timbers has been their finishing—a story that held true early on in the match. They could not punish FC Dallas for their lackadaisical defending and turnovers.
In the 36th minute, that all changed. Evander hit a perfect cross onto the head of Franck Boli, who put it away to make the scoreline 1-0.
Defensively, the team remained stout and up for the challenge all evening.
The biggest controversy came in the 71st minute, when FC Dallas’ Geovane Jesus and Portland’s Diego Chará got tangled up. Referee Ted Unkel’s original call was a straight red for Jesus, but that was later overturned in favor of a yellow to both players.
Unkel’s officiating all night was inconsistent and led to frustration from both sides.
Still, the Timbers were able to pick up their first home win in nearly a month to move back into eighth place in the table.
Moving forward
Right now, Boli is the Timbers’ best option as the No. 9. His work rate gives the team so many opportunities.
Although he has not always been the most clinical, he has deserved every start and minute he’s played this season.
After being benched at Seattle, Boli made a huge difference at home against FC Dallas—most notably scoring the lone goal of the match.
Evander with the dime for Franck Boli to head @TimbersFC in front. 👌 pic.twitter.com/fidPE6o5CM
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 12, 2023
It’s Miller time
After starting at right back ahead of Juan David Mosquera at Seattle, Eric Miller earned another start against Dallas, this time at left back. Miller has not seen a lot of playing opportunities, but has been solid when given the chance.
His understanding, communication, and leadership with the backline has been superb the past two matches. The role and responsibilities the coaching staff has given him has been simple and effective.
Head coach Gio Savarese was pleased with Miller’s performances. “We got really lucky that he became available” said Savarese. “I think every team needs players like him that can provide so much discipline on the field. I thought he was phenomenal today.
“Not only today,” he said, “also in Seattle. Playing on the right side in Seattle, playing now on the left side and didn’t miss a beat. His leadership, his communication, his way of not only playing but his presence on the field was very, very good. He faced different guys today. He managed all of them very well… He managed everyone the way he had to and helped the team make sure that we had a very solid defensive type of game today.”
Miller’s experience in MLS—he’s played in the league since 2014—has paid dividends for the Timbers and will serve them well for the rest of the season.
Makes perfect sense that Eric Miller, a consistent and visible ally of the LGBTQ+ community, is the model for tonight’s #Pride warmup shirts.
— Ryan Clarke (@RyanTClarke) June 11, 2023
I asked Eric after the Seattle match last week why the cause means so much to him. #RCTID https://t.co/oFkagy3KJE pic.twitter.com/kUBsWpKEJN
Final stats
- xG: Portland 1.29, FC Dallas 0.3
- Total Shots: Portland 14, Dallas 5
- Evander led the team in shots, chances created, completed passes in the final third, and crosses attempted.
