FC Dallas looks to regain defensive focus against Portland

To say FC Dallas' most recent game was a disaster defensively, may be an understatement. Not only did FC Dallas have momentum against New York City FC at key stages in their 4-3 loss, they held the lead a couple of times in the game.

Since then, FC Dallas has been off from league play while most of Major League Soccer has been playing in the first phase of the Leagues Cup. This time away from play helped FC Dallas manager Eric Quill get back to basics with his defensive group as they wrap up a three-game home stand this weekend against the Portland Timbers.

“Giving up four goals in the last outing was uncalled for,” said Quill. “We have to iron out some things so we’re not conceding those types of goals. We know we can score with anybody, but we have to take care of the defensive side of the ball. If we do that I like our chances in any game. So it is getting back to some of the basics, teaching, and showing clips, but now it is about executing."

Portland comes into Frisco on a bit of a hot streak in recent weeks, including two wins in the Leagues Cup before falling on penalties last night to Club America in Austin.

"They're coming in here on a high. They're coming off three wins and they are being stingy defensively," said Quill. "They have to be feeling pretty good about themselves. They're a team that is good form, so it will be a good test for us."

Portland has been hovering around fourth through sixth place in the Western Conference for the last couple of months. While they've done well in the Leagues Cup and could advance if some results on Thursday night go their way (they're currently sitting on seven points in the fourth and final MLS slot to advance in the tournament), they have been a bit up and down in their last five league games going 2-2-1.

The last few weeks have been a bit of a ride for FC Dallas fans. The team has been fairly active in the summer transfer market and could be set to transfer Lucho Acosta. While normally selling a Designated Player during a playoff push would be a setback for a club in MLS, it along with a positive result on Saturday, could be the push FC Dallas needs as the month of August gets started for them.

"To get a chance to beat a quality side and give our psychology back to ourselves so that we believe we can play with anybody," said Quill. "And then climb, there are ten games left. We have nothing to hold back because time is of the essence right now."

And speaking of Acosta...

We are officially in the waiting game on that transfer. A new update last night from Tom Bogert states that the clubs have agreed to the deal, but they are just waiting on all the signatures to get done.

Once the deal has been made official, we will be discussing it on here.