STWF Sports| FRISCO, Texas| September 12, 2026 — FC Dallas continued its late-season surge Saturday night, earning a 2-1 victory over the Portland Timbers at Toyota Stadium behind goals from Logan Farrington and Joaquín Valiente.
The Rise of FC Dallas
The win moved Dallas to 12-6-7 with 43 points and marked the club’s third consecutive victory, its first three-game winning streak since October and November of 2020. Portland fell to 9-11-5 with 32 points.
Dallas had to work deep into the match to secure all three points, with Valiente providing the decisive moment in the 87th minute. The midfielder finished a setup from Petar Musa to put Dallas ahead 2-1 and cap another influential performance.
Valiente, who also recorded an assist in the match, extended his goal-contribution streak to four consecutive games, the longest such run of his MLS career. He now leads FC Dallas with 12 assists, 33 key passes and three game-winning assists.
Farrington gave Dallas its first breakthrough in first-half stoppage time. The forward timed his run behind Portland’s defensive line and finished a pass from Shaq Moore to give the home side the advantage before halftime.
The goal was Farrington’s ninth of the season and the 18th of his FC Dallas MLS career. Moore’s assist was his second of the campaign.
Dallas has now posted a 6-1-1 record this season when Farrington finds the back of the net, highlighting his growing importance in the attacking group.
Farrington said the goal came from recognizing space behind Portland’s back line.
“I noticed their defense was stepping up high and I wanted to get that run in behind,” Farrington said. “Shaq Moore played a great ball in behind and all I had to do was place it low.”
The victory also featured the return of goalkeeper Daniel, who made his first appearance after missing seven regular-season matches with a lower-body injury.
Daniel made four saves in his home debut for FC Dallas and provided an experienced presence behind the back line. Head coach Eric Quill praised the goalkeeper’s composure and decision-making after the match.
“Daniel’s got big saves in him,” Quill said. “He calms us, and I think we have a real belief in him back there.”
The performance completed a demanding stretch for Dallas, which won three matches in seven days while managing travel and difficult conditions.
Quill credited his team’s resilience and chemistry for carrying the club through the stretch.
“They just play with so much heart and desire,” Quill said. “Their work is why we are where we are in the standings right now. They want more.”
Dallas has now built momentum at an important point in the season and continues to position itself for a favorable playoff spot. The club is also beginning a critical home stretch after collecting victories at the renovated Toyota Stadium in consecutive matches.
Defender Nolan Norris said the team understands the importance of accumulating points as the postseason race intensifies.
“It’s starting to get crunch time in the season,” Norris said. “We want to get a home playoff game. We want to get that advantage and try to give ourselves the best chance to make a run.”
FC Dallas will remain at Toyota Stadium for its next match, hosting in-state rival Austin FC on Saturday, Sept. 19. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT on Hispanic Heritage Night.
With three straight wins and growing confidence across the squad, Dallas enters the rivalry match in its best form of the season and with its sights set firmly on climbing higher in the Western Conference standings.
