FRISCO – It is yet another quick turnaround for FC Dallas as the club welcomes in D.C. United for a July 4 match. The Black-and-Red fell 2-0 on the road to the Montreal Impact, and enter the match as the Eastern Conference cellar-dwellers.
FC Dallas downed Toronto FC at home with a 3-1 win on July 1, and sit just three points behind west leaders Sporting Kansas City. Dallas can tie Sporting at the top of the Western Conference with a win.
What are five things you should look for at Toyota Stadium on Tuesday?
On-Field
Struggles in Frisco
D.C. United have not beaten FC Dallas since 2007. The last time the two clubs faced off in Frisco was in July of 2015, a 2-1 win for FC Dallas in which a FC Dallas players scored all three goals. Matt Hedges put in an own goal off a deflection to give United its lone goal. Kellyn Acosta and Fabian Castillo scored a goal each for Dallas.
Acosta and Hedges will be unavailable for FC Dallas as they continue to work with the U.S. Men’s National Team in Gold Cup preparation.
One Acosta for Another
While FC Dallas will be without its’ Acosta, D.C. United will have theirs. Midfielder Luciano Acosta has been a bright spot for the club from the nation’s capitol. With four goals and an assist on the season, the former Boca Juniors man will be one to watch.
Matches on Matches on Matches
The home team will be wrapping up a stretch of four matches in 12 days across MLS and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup competition. FC Dallas is 2-0-1 so far, scoring seven goals across the three matches and conceding just one per match.
Urruti Flying
Maxi Urruti revealed he is a father-to-be after scoring his 10th goal of the season with the ball baby celebration. He has now matched his career high in goals in a season, and we’re just past the halfway point.
Urruti will deal with a D.C. United defense that has allowed 27 goals all season.
Dallas Defense
While the FC Dallas defense will be without centerpiece Matt Hedges, it comes up against the worst attacking team in MLS. United has scored just 12 goals in MLS play this season, and just six have come off assists. Both are a league low. The Black-and-Red have the second-worst goal differential in MLS at -15.
In-Stadium
Fireworks
Being Independence Day, there will of course be fireworks. The biggest 4th of July fireworks show in North Texas hits Toyota Stadium thanks to CoServ after the match to light up the sky deep in the heart of Texas.
Military Appreciation Night Presented by CoServ
FC Dallas will be giving thanks to all active military members and veterans at the match on Tuesday. There will be a military walk-out on the field prior to the national anthem and all active members and veterans will be honored prior to the game.
Giveaways
CoServ will have all kinds of freebies for FC Dallas fans to take part in. The first 5,000 fans will get a light-up wristband upon entrance, and then fans can make their way over to the CoServ tent on the north concourse to get a Fourth of July face painting.
Social
Jump on social media and help FC Dallas give thanks on military appreciation night using #FCDTroops. There will be a special Snapchat filter that you can use in the stadium during the game.
Eyes Up
If you keep your eyes peeled around Toyota Stadium on Tuesday you will find plenty of military appreciation. All digital boards around the stadium will be themed out, and your favorite FC Dallas players will give their thanks in videos that you can see on the video board.