PORTLAND – The away goals rule has divided opinions among MLS observers, but it can’t be disputed that it adds an extra element of strategy to the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs.
FC Dallas know this firsthand, having grabbed what proved to be a crucial goal on the road in the first leg of their Western Conference Semifinal series against the Seattle Sounders in a 2-1 loss. Although they didn’t technically advance on the tiebreaker, that goal proved crucial as the two teams fought to a 3-3 aggregate draw before Dallas advanced in a penalty shootout.
“We know it’s important if we can score an away goal like we did in the last series against Seattle,” midfielder Victor Ulloa said at FC Dallas training on Saturday evening. “But we’re also conscious of the fact that they play well at home and we’ll be ready and concentrated on the little details so that we’re able to get a result.”
That being said, the Timbers will almost certainly be the aggressors at home, even as they emphasize the importance of not conceding that away goal. So how will Dallas find that balance between getting a goal on Sunday without getting opened up by the opposition in front of a raucous home crowd?
“I think it’s having some composure in the early part of the game and just kind of waiting, feeling the game out, not being too hectic early on and trying to score too badly,” Dallas defender Walker Zimmerman told MLSsoccer.com at training on Saturday. “And then I think second half you’ll see us kind of having found the rhythm of the game and look to take our chances a little bit more.”
Indications from both camps point to a cagey affair in the first leg, as is often the case in these two-legged series. Portland have emphasized the importance of a clean sheet in the first leg – “we’ll take a 1-0 win” said head coach Caleb Porter – while Dallas will be looking to set themselves up with a good result heading into the second leg in Texas next Sunday.
If Dallas are to get a result in Portland, they can help themselves massively by shutting down in-form midfielder Darlington Nagbe, who will likely be the focal point of the Timbers attack with playmaker Diego Valeri suspended for the first leg of the series.
“He’s a special talent, a guy who’s soaring with confidence right now,” said Zimmerman. “We just have to have faith in what we do as a backline as back six with our defensive mids – just kind of keeping him in check and always being in tune with where he is, and I think we can do a good job of that.”
