The Portland Timbers returned from their two-week layoff looking nothing like the team that collapsed against the New York Red Bulls. Instead, the team gave its most complete performance under new head coach Giovanni Savarese, overcoming an early goal from Roland Lamah and a late red card to Lawrence Olum to secure a 1-1 draw at FC Dallas.
“It’s important, away from home, to get points against a good team,” Savarese said, after the match. “It’s important for us, especially finishing the game with 10 players.”
It was also important, given where the Timbers stood two hours before.