Anderson Julio leads Real Salt Lake into a matchup with the Portland Timbers following a two-goal outing against Dallas.

Real Salt Lake are flying high at the top of the league, but welcome a dangerous Portland Timbers side to America First Field on Saturday.

Real Salt Lake (2nd place Western Conference, 50 points) finishes a stretch of three matches in eight days at home Saturday night against the visiting Portland Timbers (8th place Western Conference, 43 points).

FC Dallas scored on a penalty kick in the 88th minute to cut the deficit to one goal, but couldn’t find the back of the net again.

The Portland Timbers will be hoping to pick up two straight wins when they travel to face Real Salt Lake at America First Field on Sunday. Meanwhile, the hosts can edge closer to the top of the Western Conference table with consecutive Major League Soccer wins of their own.

A highly-anticipated MLS Western Conference match will see Real Salt Lake take on Portland Timbers on September 22, 2024. Both teams enter the match at different junctures of recent streaks and stakes,

Julio's first goal was a stunning improvisational strike from just inside the midfield line after he spotted Dallas goalkeeper Maarten Paes creeping up. His second in the 62nd minute held up as the match-winner after Alan Velasco pulled back a late Dallas goal from the penalty spot.