Our prediction for this MLS match:
Portland Timbers will look to climb to top seven in the Western Conference when they face FC Dallas on Sunday evening. The Timbers suffered a 1-0 loss to Austin FC in midweek, but it has to be noted that they failed to turn their dominance into goals. As there are no fresh injury worries in Phil Neville’s team, home win should definitely be considered.
The Toros, on the other hand, failed to impress in back-to-back losses to Orlando City (1-3) and San Jose Earthquakes (2-3), with the team missing out on a spot in the playoffs. Dallas have nothing to play for in Sunday’s encounter and given their shaky defence, we are tempted to place our bets on the hosts. All Maarten Paes, Liam Fraser, Paxton Pomykal, and Geovane Jesus miss out with injuries, but there are no suspended players in the away team.
Highlighted Player (Dario Zuparic):
Dario Zuparic is a Croatian footballer, who plays for Pescara as a defender. Zuparic played for the likes of Sladograna Zupanja, NK Granicar Zupanja and Cibalia during his youth career. He continued playing for Cibalia at senior level and he made 57 league appearances for the Croatian outfit from 2011 to 2013.
In 2013 he signed a contract with Pescara and made 21 appearances for the team in the 2013/2014 Serie B campaign. Zuparic quickly established himself as a first-team regular at Pescara and it has to be noted that he played 36 games for the Delfini in the 2015/2016 season. The Pescara highly rated defender was born in Croatia, but he started playing for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
He has 3 caps for Bosnian and Herzegovina U19 team, but he eventually decided to represent Croatia on the international stage. Zuparic has 5 caps for Croatia U20 and he played three matches for Croatia U21. The 188-cm-tall footballer was born on 3 May, 1992 in Zupanja.
Highlighted Team (FC Dallas):
Despite making it to the 2010 MLS Cup final, Dallas eventually failed to win the domestic trophy. The Toros (Bulls) were beaten by Colorado in the final played at BMO Field in Toronto and you should bear in mind that the Rapids scored the winner in the extra time.
That was the first and only time Dallas participated in the MLS Cup final, but in 2016 the club won the Supporters’ Shield and the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The Toros play their home games at Toyota Stadium, the venue that was opened in August, 2005. The stadium’s original name was Pizza Hut Park, but in September 2013 it was renamed as Toyota Stadium after Pizza Hut Park left as a main sponsor.
FC Dallas wear red shits with white stripes when playing at home, while their secondary colors are white and blue. Former Ajax and River Plate ace Mauro Rosales, who joined the Toyota Stadium outfit in 2016, is regarded as one of the club most significant stars.