Portland Timbers Survive FC Dallas Comeback To Reach MLS Cup

A roller coaster of a game last night gave The Portland Timbers a bid to the MLS Cup for the first time after a late-season and playoff surge. The Timbers faced FC Dallas yesterday in a tight-knit match that saw action go all the way to the last minute.

With the game scoreless after one half, Fanendo Adi was able to score the first goal off a Diego Valeri pass. But Dallas did not give up for in the 69th minute, defenseman Ryan Hollingshead tied the game up after Mauro Diaz found Hollinghead going straight up the field on the left side. Four minutes later, Diaz was able to pass the ball on a free kick to Blas Perez and he headed the ball into the net to give Dallas a 2-1 lead and hopes of forcing extra time. This was all the offense Dallas could do for the rest of the game since Portland already won the MLS Cup bid because of the 5-3 aggregate series Portland had against Dallas. Lucas Melano scored a safe goal in stoppage time to steal the victory for the Timbers.

The Portland Timbers will face the Columbus Crew SC next week in the MLS Cup Final next Sunday at 4 p.m., where it will be aired on ESPN.

Photo: FRISCO, TX – NOVEMBER 29: Alvas Powell #2 of Portland Timbers dribbles the ball against Blas Perez #7 of FC Dallas during the Western Conference Finals-Leg 2 of the MLS playoffs at Toyota Stadium on November 29, 2015 in Frisco, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Article by Ryan Kappy