FRISCO - FC Dallas will host their first home preseason friendly at Toyota Stadium this Saturday at at 7:30 p.m in a international match against Salvadorian squad Alianza F.C.
The visiting team, who plays their home matches at Cuscatlan Stadium in San Salvador, El Salvador will face FCD for the third time in what they’re describing as a “luxury match”. Alianza played against FC Dallas in 2011 during CONCACAF Champions League group play. FC Dallas won both matches 1-0. The first, when they met on July 28, 2011, in San Salvador, and also on Aug. 3, 2011 at Toyota Stadium.
With just one week in the job, this Saturday’s international friendly will be the first match for new Alianza interim head coach Daniel Fernandez, who was previously in charge of the club's reserves and the U-17 team. Fernandez, born in Argentina, takes the place of fellow Uruguayan head coach Rubén Alonso, who left the team after losing in week six of the current Salvadorian championship.
Leading the charge for the self-titled ‘White Elephants’ is veteran striker, and international for El Salvador, Rodolfo Zelaya. ‘Fito’ Zelaya, who wears number 22 for his team, has also played in the Russian and Mexican leagues, and scored 9 goals las season for his club. Alianza also featured Trinidad and Tobago international forward Willis Plaza in its ranks.
For this match, Alianza will also host former FC Dallas player Steve Purdy, who will play in the match as a special guest player for 25 minutes. Purdy played 5 matches for FC Dallas in 2009, and has 17 caps and one goal for the El Salvador National Team. His last appearance was in 2013 with Chivas USA in the MLS.
