Corner kicks send Timbers to 4-0 defeat

FRISCO, Texas — Defenders Zach Loyd and George John scored off corner kicks 5 minutes apart in the first half to help FC Dallas rout the expansion Portland Timbers 4-0 on Saturday night.

Brek Shea and Jackson Goncalves also scored for Dallas.

“Excellent performance tonight, I think our players all stepped up tonight,” FC Dallas coach Schellas Hyndman said. “I think when you look across the field, you can’t find anyone who was not very good. I think everybody had a good game and I think we need those types of performances to continue to get those three points.”

Captain Daniel Hernandez had two assists, setting up both first-half goals with almost identical corner kicks.

“I think we have very dangerous players on set pieces that we just haven’t taken advantage of, so I was just glad to get them some good services tonight,” said Hernandez, who took over corner kick duties from forward Fabian Castillo, who left the squad to join Colombia’s U20 team. “I thought we could have had even a couple of more.”

Goalkeeper Kevin Hartman made two saves for his MLS-leading eighth shutout.

The Timbers, making their first trip to North Texas, dropped to 5-7-3. They are 0-4-1 in their last five and 0-5-2 on the road. Portland has been outscored 15-3 away from home.

“I don’t think anybody that pulled on a green jersey tonight was a threat to Dallas,” Portland coach John Spencer said. “They handled us pretty well, manhandled us and that’s what happens when you’re not ready to play. I was very disappointed towards the end with the effort, because at times, it just looked like we laid down and died.”