FRISCO - Undefeated FC Dallas takes on Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday in a 2014 playoff rematch and FCD not only be looking to avenge last year’s playoff elimination, but the club will also be looking for its first ever 4-0 start.
“We’re excited,” FC Dallas defender Zach Loyd said. “I think a lot of people have been talking about it since we got knocked out by them last year. But for us, it’s a new season and we are looking to continue our unbeaten streak at home. That’s something that is really important to us- getting points while we are at home. We’re excited to be back and play in front of our fans.”
And it is the unbeaten start to 2015 that has taken center stage within the locker room. To the players, building off the strong start and maintaining the momentum from the first three games is of the utmost importance.
“Every game you are going out looking for three points,” defender Matt Hedges said. “The goal is to win and getting four wins in a row is tough to do at any time, especially at the beginning of the year when you haven’t seen a lot of the other teams and you are trying to build an identity. Getting a fourth win would be huge."
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Saturday’s match will test the depth of both teams as a number of players will be missing due to international duty. FC Dallas will be without Blas Perez and Moises Hernandez, while Seattle will be without Marco Pappa and Clint Dempsey.
Since Seattle will be without its leading scorer in Dempsey, the defensive focus of FC Dallas must shift to Obafemi Martins. The 30-year-old forward is the only other player to score for Seattle this season and will be their most dangerous player on Saturday. Limiting his touches and defending against his speed will be key.
“We had a strategy last year and it worked well,” Hedges said. “I think we’ll stick with what we know. He brings a lot of speed to their team. He combines well with Dempsey, but without Dempsey we’re going to see other players trying to pair with him.”
Not only is Martins quick, he is also incredibly shifty and hard to find on the field. Loyd says it will take a team effort to keep him in check.
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“I think communication is key,” he said. “When you got someone that is that dangerous, it’s very important to communicate, especially when he is trying to peel off the back of another guy's shoulder and you can’t see him. As a backline, it’s very important that we know where he is at all times and are aware that he likes to fake one way and go another.”
