FRISCO, Texas — It was not a pleasant homecoming for Texas native Kenny
Cooper.
In Cooper's return to Pizza Hut Park, his new team the Portland Timbers
were overwhelmed by FC Dallas, 4-0, on Saturday behind goals from Zach
Loyd, George John, Brek Shea and Ruben Luna.
Portland won the first ever match-up between the two sides, 3-2, two
months ago at JELD-WEN Field, but they could not rekindle their magic as
Dallas outnumbered them in nearly every offensive category.
In the 33rd minute Loyd headed home his first career goal off a Daniel
Hernandez corner kick [WATCH IT HERE], and center back George John followed suit five
minutes later—also with a header on a set-piece—for his second of the
season [WATCH IT HERE].
In the second half, FCD utility man Jackson kept Rodney Wallace on his
heels, making runs at the defender—and it paid off early.
Jackson laced a through-ball to Eric Alexander, who fired at Timbers
goalkeeper Troy Perkins. The ball rolled away from Perkin’s dive and hit
the far post leaving Brek Shea with an open goal to score his
team-leading seventh goal of the year [WATCH IT HERE].
Near end time, Jackson added the knockout punch with a looping shot that Perkins parried into the air, landing in the net as Ruben Luna rushed to ensure the finish and
sending the crowd at Pizza Hut Park into a frenzy [WATCH IT HERE].
The game marked not only the return of Cooper but also the return to
the bench for Timbers head coach John Spencer. Spencer served a one-game
suspension following his comments about the referees in a recent league
match.
The loss was the Timbers fourth in their last five games and the
expansion side currently sits in seventh place in the Western Conference
with 18 points.
With the LA Galaxy's scoreless draw Saturday evening, FC Dallas gained
two points and sit four back of the Western Conference leaders with two
games in hand.
The Timbers return to action next Saturday against Sporting Kansas City
at JELD-WEN Field while FC Dallas stay at Pizza Hut Park and host the
Columbus Crew next weekend (PURCHASE TICKETS).
For full stats, visit the MLS MatchCenter.
Portland Timbers (5-7-3) vs. FC Dallas (9-4-4)
June 25, 2011 -- Pizza Hut Park
Scoring Summary:
DAL -- Zach Loyd 1 (Daniel Hernandez 2) 33
DAL -- George John 2 (Daniel Hernandez 3) 38
DAL -- Brek Shea 7 (unassisted) 58
DAL -- Jackson 2 (Eric Avila) 85
Portland Timbers -- Troy Perkins, Jeremy Hall, Eric Brunner, Mamadou
Danso, Rodney Wallace, Darlington Nagbe (Adam Moffat 46), Diego Chara,
Jack Jewsbury, Kalif Alhassan (Sal Zizzo 57), Kenny Cooper, Jorge
Perlaza (Eddie Johnson 63).
Substitutes Not Used: Kevin Goldthwaite, Ryan Pore, Steve Purdy, Adin
Brown.
FC Dallas -- Kevin Hartman, Zach Loyd, Ugo Ihemelu, George John, Jair
Benitez, Eric Alexander (Eric Avila 76), Daniel Hernandez, Andrew
Jacobson (Bobby Warshaw 68), Jackson Goncalves, Marvin Chavez (Ruben
Luna 78), Brek Shea.
Substitutes Not Used: Bruno Guarda, Milton Rodriguez, Ricardo Villar,
Chris Seitz.
Misconduct Summary:
NONE
Referee: Elias Bazakos
Referee's Assistants: George Gansner; Eric Boria
4th Official: Alex Prus
Attendance: 10,470
Time of Game: 1:45
Weather: Clear-and-95-degrees