Timbers at FC Dallas
2 p.m. Sunday at Frisco, Texas
TV/radio: ESPN / AM 750.
At stake: The series winner after this match advances to MLS Cup. This is the second leg of the total-goals Western Conference Championship. Portland won the first leg 3-1, so Dallas must outscore Portland by at least two goals in this game to have a chance to advance.
Tie-breakers: The first tie-breaker if the series ends in a tie is away goals. Dallas scored one in Portland, so would win the series if it wins by a 2-0 score today. Portland advances with a win or a draw — or with a one-goal loss. The Timbers also advance if they lose by two goals but score at least two themselves. If Dallas wins 3-1, 30 minutes of overtime will follow regulation. If it is still tied after the overtime, a penalty-kick shootout determines the winner.
In the East: Columbus visits the New York Red Bulls at 4:30 p.m. Sunday (Fox Sports 1). The Crew hold a 2-0 lead in that series.
MLS Cup Final: 1 p.m. Dec. 6 at the highest remaining seed. The Timbers will be on the road if they advance.
Timbers notes: The Timbers are on a seven-game unbeaten streak, during which they have outscored opponents 17-6. On the road, Portland has won four in a row and five of its last 6. The only road loss since a 4-1 loss at Dallas on July 25 was a 2-1 loss at Seattle. The Timbers have scored at least one goal in seven of their last eight road games, the exception a 0-0 draw at San Jose. … Two key midfielders — Diego Valeri and Rodney Wallace — are eligible to return after they missed the first leg of this series because of yellow-card accumulation, giving coach Caleb Porter options (and decisions). Specifically, does he stay with two defensive midfielders? If so do Wallace or Valeri start? Or does he use Diego Chara as a single defensive midfielder with Darlington Nagbe playing a deeper role in central midfield behind Valeri and in front of Chara? One factor in Porter’s lineup choices will be the health of center back Liam Ridgewell (thigh strain). Ridgewell left leg one after an hour. If he cannot start, Norberto Paparatto figures to line up to the left of Nat Borchers.
FC Dallas notes: Dallas finished with the best record in the Western Conference. FCD was tied for most points in MLS with the New York Red Bulls. Dallas advanced by beating Seattle on penalty kicks after a wild conference semifinal ended all even. … Dallas’ 13 regular-season home wins led MLS and won nine of its last 10 regular-season home games before eliminating Seattle on penalty kicks in the conference semifinal round. … … The Dallas attack is built by Argentine midfielder Mauro Diaz (12 assists including one in leg one, 8 goals) and wingers Fabian Castillo (9 goals, 9 assists) and Michael Barrios (7 goals). … Uruguayan striker David Texeira scored his first MLS playoff goal in leg one of this series. Barrios scored two of his goals in Dallas’ 4-1 home win over Portland on July 25. … This is the fourth time in 20 seasons that Dallas has reached the conference finals (compared with twice in five seasons for Portland). An original MLS franchise dating to 1996, Dallas made the MLS Cup for the first time in 2010 but has never won an MLS Cup championship.
Viewing parties: The Timbers official all-ages viewing party will be at McMenamins Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W. Burnside St.
