In a first half that saw breakneck end-to-end action by both the Portland Timbers and FC Dallas, it was little wonder there'd be some fireworks.
Timbers goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts--wearing the captain's armband tonight in Will Johnson's absence--kept things close with this 15th minute stop.
In the 26th minute, the Timbers drew first blood. Diego Valeri served in a perfect corner kick right to the top of the six-yard box. Timbers forward Ryan Johnson went airborne unmarked and easily snapped his header past FCD's Raul Fernandez to make it 1-0 Portland.
But FC Dallas came storming back. Midfielder Mauro Diaz slips through Timbers defense to equalize in the 28th minute.
Not five minutes later, the Timbers answer on a beautifully fluid goal. Diego Valeri picked up his second assist on the night when he slyly feeds Darlington Nagbe on his right. Nagbe carries into the box and fires it past a diving Fernandez to give the Timbers a 2-1 lead.
