FC Dallas head coach Eric Quill has urged his side to “get back to the basics” in an effort to shore up their leaky defence and keep their faint play-off hopes alive.

Dallas slumped to a 4-3 loss to New York City FC last weekend, surrendering the lead twice as Alonso Martinez scored a hat-trick at Toyota Stadium.

Jonathan Shore opened the scoring for the visitors after 11 minutes, but Petar Musa equalised four minutes later. Logan Farrington restored Dallas’ lead with the first of his two goals before Martinez levelled again.

Farrington struck once more in first-half stoppage time, only for Martinez to make it 3-3 one minute after the restart, with the forward going on to seal the win late on, handing Dallas their 11th defeat of the season.

The result leaves Dallas 12th in the Western Conference on 25 points, five behind the play-off spots.

“Giving up four goals in the last outing was uncalled for,” Quill admitted ahead of Dallas’ clash with Portland.

“We have to iron out some things so we’re not conceding those types of goals. We know we can score with anybody, but we have to take care of the defensive side of the ball.

“If we do that, I like our chances in any game. It is just getting back to some of the basics, teaching, and showing clips, but now it is about executing."

Quill also insisted his side still believe they can make a late push despite their position, adding: “We get a chance to beat a quality side and give our psychology back to ourselves so that we believe we can play with anybody.

“And then we climb, there are ten games left. We have nothing to hold back because time is of the essence right now.”

Portland, meanwhile, were enjoying a good run of form before being halted by Club America in the Leagues Cup in a disappointing penalty shootout loss.

The match ended 1-1 after 90 minutes, with Ariel Lassiter netting for the Timbers, but a crucial penalty miss by Kamal Miller saw their Leagues Cup campaign come to an end.

Phil Neville’s side enjoyed a 1-0 win over Los Angeles FC in their last MLS outing, with Cristhian Paredes finding the net late in the first half.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

FC Dallas – Petar Musa

Musa has scored eight goals in his last eight appearances for Dallas, including scoring five in his last three.

Only Lionel Messi (10) and Sam Surridge (nine) have scored more regular-season goals than Musa since his hot streak began on May 31.

Portland Timbers – Cristhian Paredes

Paredes’ winning goal for Portland against LAFC on July 25 was his first of the season and just the second headed goal of the season for the Timbers.

From 2019 to 2024, the Timbers scored 67 headed goals, nine more than any other MLS team.

MATCH PREDICTION: PORTLAND WIN

Since 2018, all 14 meetings across competitions between Dallas and Portland have been split, with each side winning four times (D6).

All four of FC Dallas’ wins in that time have come in their last five home matches against the Timbers (W4 D1). However, Toyota Stadium has not been a particularly happy hunting ground of late for the Texans, with four losses in their last five home matches (W1).

Dallas’ eight home losses this season already ties with their most in a single season.

Portland, meanwhile, picked up their fourth win on the road this season with their 1-0 victory over LAFC. This marks their most away wins in a regular season since winning six on the road in 2021.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Dallas – 30.9%

Draw – 25.1%

Portland – 44%