Not quite sure FC Dallas has its mojo back but the club is definitely trying to keep that mo’ going and carry the momentum from a 2-0 win over Colorado on Wednesday into Saturday’s match against Orlando City SC in Orlando.
Saturday’s game will be Dallas’ final regular season match against an Eastern Conference opponent in 2017. This is the one and only meeting of the season between these two clubs and will be Dallas’ first trip ever to Orlando Stadium which opened on February 14, 2017.
Here Are 5 Things You Should Know About The Match:
Let’s Start A New Streak
With the 2-0 victory over Colorado on Wednesday, FC Dallas ended a 10-match winless streak. Dallas is now looking to earn three points in consecutive matches in league play for the first time since winning three straight MLS matches July 1-July 22 earlier this season.
Giving Up Nothin’ To Orlando
In two previous games, FC Dallas has never allowed a goal against Orlando City. Dallas won both prior meetings, posting shutouts in each. FCD topped Orlando 2-0 on July 11, 2015 at Orlando City Stadium in the first match between the two clubs. Dallas earned a 4-0 win at Toyota Stadium on July 4, 2016.
First Time For Everything
Maynor Figueroa’s goal in the sixth minute that gave FC Dallas a 1-0 lead en route to a 2-0 victory over Colorado was his third of the season and first since August 23. It was also the first goal, over the span of 42 goals, Dallas scored from a free kick, either directly or indirectly, in 2017.
Goal Differential
Over the course of 30 games in 2017, FC Dallas is the only team in MLS that has a 0 goal differential, having scored 42 goals and conceded 42, as well. Toronto FC leads the Eastern Conference and all of MLS with a +34 goal differential while Sporting Kansas City tops the West with a +14 goal differential. San Jose is last in the Western Conference and all of MLS with a -23 goal differential while D.C. United is last in the East at -22.
Playoff Probability
With just four regular games remaining in 2017, it’s worth reexamining FC Dallas’ playoff chances. Dallas is currently in sixth place in the Western Conference. If the playoffs started today, FCD would play a knockout round match against Sporting Kansas City. According to FiveThirtyEight, FC Dallas has a 61% chance of qualifying for the MLS postseason.
