FC Dallas 4-1 Portland Timbers
FC Dallas head coach Oscar Pareja
Overall thoughts on the game…
Another big night for the boys. We had some outstanding performances from players who we brought to this team to be effective, to be on the scoreboard and to help the team make the difference. This was the case tonight.
We beat a very good team, one of the most organized in the league, and that makes us even happier. I always say that a game doesn’t end right there – we gave up a goal at the end, which gave us a little bit of a sour taste. In soccer you cannot relax or pretend that everything is done – it has to be better all the time. We will keep building.
It was great work from the players – they were consistent during the last minutes and defensively and offensively created chances throughout the entire game.
Growth amongst the younger players…
We’re in an ongoing process – we’re growing, we’re still young. Now I’m seeing a combination of that young energy and spirit that you see in the field with some maturity that we are getting into the games. The boys are certainly growing.
Reaction to Kellyn’s Goal
[Kellyn Acosta’s goal] was a great demonstration of technique, range; that quality that Kellyn has of being ambidextrous without problems was an excellent picture of a kid from our academy. He made us proud.
On having the most players in the Homegrown game…
I will say this over and over. I believe in the talent in America. I believe we have tremendous players in this country – they just need an opportunity. For me to see them go and perform and be part of such a great event is a pride for us. America has great players and we have to believe in that.
FC Dallas Homegrown midfielder Kellyn Acosta
On his recent play…
I’m feeling more comfortable and more confident. Oscar [Pareja] and the players have been giving me all the confidence in the world. More importantly, I have been hitting the target.
On his goal…
I just tried to put it in the corner. The defender slowed me down, which actually helped me take my time and look up to find the corner. Once I put that goal away, the game slowed down and things went in our favor for the remainder of the match.
On the win…
Tonight was a very big win, the gap is getting better, and the team is going higher and closer to reaching our goal of winning the Supporters Shield.
FC Dallas Homegrown midfielder Victor Ulloa
On the win…
The ball is bouncing the right way for us, right now. It’s important for us to keep winning and getting points.
On upcoming road match against Chicago…
We need to find some consistency on the road. We are clicking right now and firing on all cylinders. We are going to go fight for those three points in Chicago.
FC Dallas midfielder Michael Barrios
On his two goals…
I’m very happy with the confidence that the coach and team have in me right now, so it was great to get those two goals tonight. Oscar [Pareja] has always told me that if I give it all at training, I will be rewarded on the field. I am just happy I was able to show it on the field tonight.
On getting the three points…
Being up two-nil gave us confidence. I am glad we were able to finish out the match and keep the result.
Portland Timbers Head Coach Caleb Porter
On tonight’s game…
I thought it was a closer game than 4-1, but the only thing that matters is we lost 4-1 and that’s all that people care about. Ultimately, that’s all I care about and that’s all the guys in the locker room care about, but I do think it was closer than a 4-1 result. I thought we came out well in the first 10 minutes. On our first chance, they (FC Dallas) get on a counter and they score. We get a couple more chances and they score again on their second chance. Obviously, now we’re in a hole 2-0 down. I thought we came out and started the second half very well. We had two or three clear chances that would have changed the game. If we score, we go 2-1, but again they come down on the first chance they get and now it’s 3-0. It’s a game where you leave feeling that you played better than the score, but all we care about is the result and it has to be better. I take responsibility, I’m the coach. I apologize to the fans. We took one on the chin today, but we need to pick ourselves back up and get back to work. The season’s not lost, we’re still in a playoff position with 12 games to go, but we need to play better and certainly get a better result.
There were a lot of signs in the first half that we could get back in it. I thought the first half was a little bit cruel. I didn’t think we deserved to be down 2-0, but that’s how football goes sometimes and you have to play through. I thought we started the second half very well. We get two chances, Liam (Ridgewell) six yards out and Alvas (Powell). Those were chances that were just as good or better than the chances they had, and that’s why I always believe the game comes down to the boxes. What you do on the attacking end and you finishing, and what you do in the defensive end, in terms of making plays and stopping shots, cutting out crosses and making saves. I feel that’s what were we fell short today, in the boxes. Box to box we were organized and kept the ball, got in good positions, and they didn’t get many positions on us. Ultimately, they were deathly clinical and they finished their chances. You have to give them credit.
I appreciate every team, and respect every opponent. You have to give them some credit, they’re on a good run. This is their fifth win in a row, but I thought we came out and played well but the game didn’t fall and we didn’t get any breaks. I’m not sure on the fourth goal thats a penalty, but I’ll look at it on the tape. At that point it’s irrelevant, but people will see the 4-1 and think we got completely dominated and I don’t think that happened. Ultimately, all that matters is the result and we need to do better in terms of getting results.
