After a first thirty minutes that saw a few decent chances for both teams, FC Dallas' Blas Perez gets free on the break heading for goal. Portland Timbers midfielder Diego Chara closes down from behind and puts on a perfect tackle to knock the ball away. True artistry in this play.
Then a few minutes later in the 39th minute, FCD's Fabian Castillo cuts in from the left side and unloads a shot that Ricketts stops.
After the second half begins, Ricketts again is called upon to hold the line as he dives to his right to deny an onrushing Blas Perez in the 50th minute.
Second half substitute Rodney Wallace makes an impact in the 70th minute after putting in some hard work on the left and chipping a ball to the far post for a casually unmarked Darlington Nagbe who one-times it into the back of the net. 1-0 Portland.
After Timbers defender Andrew Jean-Baptiste takes down FCD's Blas Perez in the box, Kenny Cooper steps up and converts the ensuing penalty kick for Dallas to make it 1-1.
But Ricketts wasn't finished. Late in the game in 86th minute, the Timbers 'keeper used a feather touch to just tip over the bar a Kenny Cooper rocket headed for the back post. It was one of four official saves the Portland netminder was credited with for the evening.
