FC Dallas Scores 3 In First 29 minutes, Beats Timbers 3-1
Follow CBSDFW.COM: Facebook | Twitter
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP)-- Michael Barrios, Fabian Castillo and Tesho Akindele all scored in the first 29 minutes to give FC Dallas a 3-1 victory over the Portland Timbers on Wednesday night.
The dominant victory gave Dallas (4-1-2) a measure of revenge after Portland defeated it in the Western Conference finals last season.
"Obviously very happy and pleased with the result," Dallas coach Oscar Pareja said. "But more than that, with the discipline and the work we put together here in a place that is difficult, that has been a challenge for us."
In the 4th minute, Jack Jewsbury's turnover allowed Akindele to charge into the Portland penalty area and lay off a pass to Barrios, who calmly slid a shot past Timbers goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey for his third goal of the season.
Another turnover by Jewsbury in the 26th minute allowed Castillo to race to the top of the area, where he chipped a shot over an onrushing Kwarasey for his second goal.
Portland coach Caleb Porter was not happy with the mistakes.
"The first half was unacceptable. So I'll start off by apologizing to the supporters," he said. "It's a pattern. It's the fourth time now we've given up the first goal from mistakes. Mistakes on the ball and mistakes defensively."
Three minutes later, a miscued shot attempt by Castillo went right to Akindele, whose shot deflected off defender Jermain Taylor and between Kwarasey's legs for his third goal.
Portland (1-3-2) scored a consolation goal in the 67th minute when Dallas defender Walker Zimmerman's attempted clearance bounced directly to Darren Mattocks, who scored his first goal for Portland since joining the team on March 14th.
The victory moves Dallas into first place in the Western Conference, while Portland is second-to-last. Dallas now has a five-game undefeated streak (3-0-2), while Portland has not won since opening day.
Portland -- already missing key players Darlington Nagbe, Liam Ridgewell and Dairon Asprilla due to injury -- lost defender Nat Borchers in the 72nd minute to an apparent head injury.
However, Porter didn't use the absences as an excuse.
"It doesn't matter," he said. "We have to figure it out. We have to manage it. No one cares the reasons, the excuses. It's all about getting results and getting the job done. You build a team to have depth, to manage injuries."
(© Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)