Franck Boli debuts and scores.
In their third road test of the season, Saturdays matchup brought changes to the Timbers starting 11 and game availability. Defender Juan David Mosquera returned to the line-up following Colombian national team duty and Eric Miller saw his first start at right back. On the bench, Mr. October Dairon Asprilla made his first appearance after recovering from injury and new signing Franck Boli also made a dramatic debut in Frisco.
In a very tight battle, both FCD and Portland were aggressive through the initial 45 minutes of play. Things got chippy early in the 15th minute following a play in the box that resulted in Nathan Fogaça on the ground visibly in pain while Dallas forward Jesus Ferreira stood over him. Juan David Mosquera and Ferreira exchanged some words as the heat in the matchup intensified.
14 minutes later, Santiago Moreno nearly stamped his first of the season. In a spectacular counter, Fogaça sent Mosquera forward with an exquisite through ball down the right. Mosquera sent a low ball accross the box that found a lurking Moreno, and after cutting it to his right, blasted it enroute to Maarten Paes' left upper 90. The ball would smack the crossbar, denying Moreno what would've capped a terrific counterattack.
Just as Portland looked dangerous at times, FC Dallas tested the Timbers defense as well. Aljaz Ivacic, in his return to action put on his superhero cape and made a flying save on Alan Velasco following a deflection. Ivacic looked laser-focused throughout the first half, helping preserve an intact goal as referee Armando Villareal brought the first half to an end with a 0-0 scoreline.
Once play resumed for the final 45 minutes, the intensity from the first half was still evident. Santiago Moreno look dangerous for the second time in the 59th minute. On a rebound, the Colombian winger volleyed a ball at goal, deflected on its way it brought a gasp to Toyota Stadium as it chipped just past the right post. Following the play, head coach Giovanni Savarese brought Dairon Asprilla on, marking his 2023 debut following an injury in February. Asprilla officially kicked-off his 8th season in green and gold following his initial minutes on Saturday.
Solid all night, Ivacic continued to make reflex saves for Portland. Unlucky for Ivacic, a tremendous save in the 73rd minute resulted in a rebound for Facundo Quignon who in one motion buried the ball into Portland's goal to give the hosts the lead.
Portland would react and push for an equalizer. Mosquera came close in the 77th, taking the ball on a counter before blasting it into the outstretched arms of Paes. Forward Franck Boli made his debut for Portland in MLS in the 85th minute, Giovanni Savarese going all-in for an equalizer.
The move turned out to be just what was needed as Boli presented himself to MLS in style, striking the equalizer home in the second minute of stoppage time, silencing Frisco. Scenes of euphoria in the Timbers bench as everyone embraced the Ivorian striker, doing the most of his 6 minutes of action.
Having rescued a point in Dallas, Portland will return to the Rose City to prepare for it's first Cascadia matchup of the year in British Columbia. Portland and Vancouver will face-off for Cascadian bragging rights at BC Place next Saturday April 8.
