GAME 2 PREVIEW: FC Dallas vs. Seattle Sounders | 11.4.23

FRISCO, Texas - FC Dallas returns home for Game 2 of the First Round of the MLS Cup Playoffs against the Seattle Sounders. Kickoff is set for 8PM this Saturday, Nov. 4 at Toyota Stadium.

Here's everything you need to know before the match.

How to Watch

The match will be available on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV (English/Spanish).

Max Bretos and Brian Dunseth will call the game in English with Sergio Ruiz and Miguel Gallardo providing Spanish commentary.

How to Listen

English: If you can't watch the match, you can listen to all the action on 1190 AM, the FC Dallas App and SiriusXM FC. Host Sam Hale will provide pregame and postgame coverage beginning at 7:45PM with broadcasters Ryan Figert, Steve Davis and Jon Arnold calling the game.

Spanish: Carlos Alvarado and Rafa Calderon will call the game in Spanish on TUDN 1270AM starting at 8PM.

Match Overview

HEAD-TO-HEAD REGULAR SEASON RECORDS

• FCD record: 11-10-13 (46 points - 7th in West)
• SEA record: 14-9-11 (53 points - 2nd in West)
• FCD vs. SEA all-time: 8-14-9 (32 goal scored, 46 goals conceded)
• FCD vs. SEA away: 1-10-4 (10 goal scored, 32 goals conceded)

STORY LINES

• Game 2: This best-of-three series heads to Dallas with FCD trailing 0-1 after falling 2-0 in Game 1 in Seattle Monday night. Dallas put up a strong fight in Seattle, especially in the first half, but were unable to convert their chances while the Sounders scored once in each half. All is not lost, though. If FCD wins at home this Saturday to even the series at 1-1, there will be a Game 3 to determine who advances to the conference semifinals. But Dallas has to win at home, first. FCD has typically enjoyed strong home form but that dipped somewhat this season. Still, the club only lost three games at Toyota Stadium while winning seven and tying seven. And remember, in this First Round, games that are tied after 90 minutes goes directly to a penalty shootout. Considering Dallas and Seattle tied 1-1 here late in the regular season, there's a strong possibility that could happen again - leaving FCD's fate to be decided from the penalty spot.

• Velasco's Absence: Losing Game 1 in Seattle was but the news that came out two days later was even worse. Alan Velasco, FCD's record signing and primary playmaker, was confirmed to have torn his ACL during the first half of the game. The estimated recovering time is nine to 10 months, according to head coach Nico Estévez. It's such a shame for Velasco, who recently was named MLS's top player under 22 years of age and was in the conversation to attend next summer's Olympic Games with Argentina's U-23 team. It's a huge blow for FC Dallas too, both in this playoff campaign and next for season. Without Velasco, Dallas will likely rely on a midfield three of Paxton Pomykal as the advanced midfielder (replacing Velasco) with Asier Illarramendi and Liam Fraser behind him, at least that's what we saw for the 70 minutes following Velasco's departure. There's no doubt that FCD loses some creativity in Velasco's absence but, on the bright side, the team can look forward to the return of second-top scorer Bernard Kamungo. Kamungo injured his ankle on the final day of the regular season and was only fit enough for a late sub appearance in Seattle. With five more days of rest, you'd hope Kamungo will be good to go from the start on Saturday.

• New Playoff Format: Not for the first time, there's a new format for the MLS Cup Playoffs. It consists of five rounds: Wildcard Round, Round One, Conference Semifinals, Conference Finals, and MLS Cup. Dallas avoided the Wildcard round by finishing seventh in the West and will begin the playoffs in Round One against second-place Seattle Sounders. Unlike every other round which is a one-game knockout, Round One is a best-of-three series. The higher seeded team hosts the first game, the lower seed hosts the second game, and (if there series is tied 1-1) the higher seed hosts the third game. The first team to win two games advances to the Conference Semifinals. In Round One, games that are tied after 90 minutes will go straight to a penalty shootout to determine the winner. Aggregate score doesn't matter, just wins. So even if you lose the first game 5-0 but win the second game 1-0 (or in penalties), the series would advance to the third game to determine the overall winner.

More: Major League Soccer Announces Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs Format and Schedule