Jesus Ferreira will look to continue his bid for the MLS Golden Boot when FC Dallas visit the Portland Timbers on Sunday night.
Ferreira scored the decisive goal on Wednesday night as Dallas (7-5-5, 26 points) defeated St. Louis 2-0 in a game resumed after it was suspended due to inclement weather in early May.
With his MLS lead-tying 10th goal of the season, the 2022 U.S. World Cup squad member secured his second consecutive double-digit goals season at age 22. And yet manager Nico Estevez believes he can be even more productive.
"He's been consistent, which is really important for a young player like him," Estevez said. "We know his potential, so we know he can do better. We have to push him not just to be one of the best, but to be the best striker in this league. I think he's going to use what he learned from last year in the second part of the season, with his experience to do better than he did last year."
Ferreira's performance could be especially important on Sunday, given that Dallas remains without injured attackers Paul Arriola (thigh) and Sebastian Lletget (thigh).
Estevez's squad has scored no more than one goal in any of its road matches this season. That could be enough to earn at least a point against a Timbers team that continues to struggle offensively.
Portland (4-7-5, 17 points) gutted out a 0-0 draw at the rival Seattle Sounders last weekend, but has scored only once in its last four matches.
"I think if we were on the table in a better spot, you would feel like this point is really good," Timbers coach Giovanni Savarese said postgame. "We feel that our performance, the first half was really good. Overall, a good performance."
The return of Sebastian Blanco from the injured list should help, although the 2020 MLS is Back Tournament MVP is likely no longer a 90-minute player at age 35.
Offseason signing Evander leads Portland with four goals despite a slow start and playing in central midfield.
More must-reads: