Sebastian Blanco strikes to give Timbers draw in Dallas

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:32 am

Sebastian Blanco scored just after halftime to help the Portland Timbers earn a 1-1 draw at FC Dallas on Saturday.

Ronald Lamah had put Dallas ahead in the first half when he was given space to shoot from 20 yards and placed his shot through traffic into the bottom corner.

But Portland struck back two minutes into the second half as Blanco cut inside on the edge of the 18-yard box and fired a left-footed shot into the net for the equalizer.

The Timbers had Lawrence Olum sent off for a second yellow card after he put his hand to the ball while trying to get on the end of a free kick in a play reminiscent to Diego Mardona's famous "Hand of God" play in the 1986 World Cup.

Portland still nearly won it when Alvas Powell danced through the defense but pulled his shot just wide, and Dallas could not find a goal either despite a number of late chances.

The Timbers, who earned their first point after losing their first two games, had dropped captain Liam Ridgewell from the 18-man squad for the game following criticism over his effort in a 4-0 defeat to the New York Red Bulls two weeks ago.