When Kristoffer Velde played in Norway, now-Portland coach Marti Cifuentes coached an opposing squad and tried to acquire Velde in a trade.
They didn’t end up together then but the pair are enjoying the player-coach relationship now as the Timbers prepare to face FC Dallas on Saturday night at Frisco, Texas.
Velde, in his second season with Portland, leads the team with eight goals. Kevin Kelsy (nine) was transferred to Scottish club Rangers for $13 million during the recent transfer window.
Cifuentes became Portland’s coach in July and was impressed on Wednesday when Velde scored two goals in a 2-2 home draw against St. Louis City. His second tally was the equalizer in the 89th minute.
“I think he’s in the rhythm that he needs,” said Cifuentes, repeating that he’s always wanted to
have Velde on one of his teams. “… It’s definitely a pleasure as a coach to have a player like him.”
Velde, who excelled Wednesday on his 27th birthday, also is thrilled to be paired with Cifuentes.
He felt less joy that Portland (9-10-5, 32 points) only gained a tie against St. Louis with so much on the line. The Timbers are 2-1-2 over their past five matches but are in eighth place in the Western Conference.
“I think we should have won this game. That is my honest answer,” Velde said afterward. “We can’t cry about this game any more. We have a new game in Dallas. We just need to get back on the horse.”
FC Dallas (11-6-7, 40 points) are fourth in the West and 2-0-1 over their past three matches.
Star forward Petar Musa, who is tied with Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi for the MLS lead with 18 goals, could miss his second straight game due to a shoulder injury.
Even without him, FC Dallas recorded a 2-1 road victory over Minnesota United on Wednesday. Kaick, a midfielder, scored the first tally and forward Santiago Moreno scored the winner in the 84th minute.
Moreno was excited about the big goal and the bigger victory.
“We’re going to fight for (the) MLS Cup,” Moreno said. “I think we have a great group with a lot of confidence, and we’re capable of fighting for the championship.”
The clubs played to a 2-2 tie on July 22 in Portland. Musa gave Dallas a 2-1 lead in the 88th minute, but Portland’s Felipe Mora scored the tying goal in the second minute of second-half stoppage time.
–Field Level Media
