August 5, 2012
FCD DRAWS PORTLAND ON ROAD
Timbers rally to equalize 1-1

Scott Sealy put FCD into a 1-0 second-half lead in Portland, but the Timbers answered with an equalizing goal by Jack Jewsbury. Photo by Michael Stephens

It was ever so appropriate that FC Dallas, after taking a 1-0 advantage on the road Sunday at Portland on a goal by Scott Sealy in the 51st minute, went down a man on Zach Loyd's second yellow card, just 90 seconds later. That is just the kind of year the Red and White has been having.


It wasn't a violent foul, just a nagging, careless kind of infringement that Loyd had no business making after his team just secured the lead. Loyd got into trouble initially by tripping Chara late in the first half. That drew his first yellow. Also in the first half, Songo'o pushed Loyd down. Both he and coach Hyndman were livid. Then Loyd worked in a revenge foul, but drew no card.


But the second time the Dallas player fouled Songo'o, in the second half, out came the yellow card for the second time and then the red.


It's not so clear that the man deficit cost Dallas a point. It was more that Portland's captain, Jack Jewsbury, made a spectacular play in the 79th minute, hitting a volley shot to goal from 19 yards after FCD goalie Kevin Hartman had fisted the ball out.


Jewsbury was feeling no Dallas defensive pressure as Hartman's clearance sailed out high, just past the box. He fired a perfect reply as the ball didn't hit the ground. His one-touch volley took a twisted path to tuck in just under the crossbar with no real chance for Hartman. That score set off the Timbers' sell-out crowd of 20,438, its ninth consecutive sell-out.


Most teams would feel pretty good to settle for a draw on the road, but both Dallas and Portland are desperate for points in the Western Conference with just 10 games remaining. FCD, now with 23 points, is in 8th and Portland is last, in 9th place with 20 points. The Los Angeles Galaxy, fifth in the West, is currently holding the last playoff spot with 33 points.

Portland just as desperate for points as FCD, at least snapped its five-game losing streak. The Red and White was coming off a 1-0 loss to Los Angeles at FC Dallas Stadium.


That equalizing goal by the Timbers took the bloom off the Dallas score, which included a beautiful combination of David Ferreira to Brek Shea to Sealy in the 51st minute.


Ferreira started it with a crossing through pass from the right side, behind the mid-line, it flew to the left side, finding Shea hoofing it down the left flank. He ran on to the pass, penetrated into the box and crossed back to the right to find Sealy motoring into the area. Sealy took a few steps and had no problem beating Portland's goalie Troy Perkins with a shot to the left corner.

FCD's next game is Saturday, Aug. 11, when it hosts Colorado. It will be the team's only home game in August.