- FC Dallas form: FC Dallas have won three, drawn one and lost one of their last five matches in all competitions
- Portland form: Portland Timbers have won two, drawn one and lost two of their last five in all competitions
- Recent runs: Dallas are on a 3W-1D-1L run of results while Portland are in a 2W-1D-2L groove.
Dallas can dominate this derby
FC Dallas are a clear odds-on favorite at 1.73 to Portland Timbers at 3.9 and the draw at 4.3 in their MLS 2026 clash at Toyota Stadium, USA, on Sunday, but it is probably going to be close. Los Toros (The Bulls) are eighth in the overall standings of MLS 2026 with 37 points from 23 games.
They will stay in the playoff contention with a home win this weekend, but Portland are in 13th with 31 points and need to get something out of this game to get back into the mix. Their most recent head-to-head meeting, played in Portland six weeks ago, finished 2-2 and the last five meetings have leaned towards Dallas by a 2-0 score with three draws. But, Portland's recent games have been a bit of a wild ride with a 1-2 home loss to Austin FC followed by a 5-0 home win earlier today.
Timbers need to find the net
Attack and key players
Marti Cifuentes has introduced a much more possession-based, pressing game to Portland's play, but it is still a work in progress and the team are yet to settle down.
- Kevin Kelsy has nine goals in 20 appearances in MLS 2026 and will have to be the main man for Portland as they need to attack and score to have a chance in Texas.
- Petar Musa is Dallas' main man with 18 goals in 21 games in MLS 2026 and he has scored five of his side's last 12 goals in their previous five matches.
- Portland have scored 1.36 goals per away game and conceded 1.91 goals per road game in MLS 2026, so they look leaky at the back.
Defence and form
Eric Quill has his team set up in a compact back three and wingbacks, who can work their way back into a mid/low block when they are out of possession and then play their quick, vertical, passing game when they are on the ball. Portland are winless in their two prior away games against Dallas, so there is a stubbornness about this game for the visitors.
Dallas are 4-4-2 at home in MLS 2026 while Portland are 2-2-7 on the road, so I am leaning towards the home side to edge this. But the 2-2 draw last time out, and Portland's attack on paper, makes me think a game like that is on the cards and Both Teams to Score - Yes at 1.38 could be a sharp alternative to the moneyline markets.
