FC Dallas will head to the Sunshine State this weekend for a single-game road trip against Orlando City SC. Orlando City is currently third in the Eastern Conference with a record of 6-6-6 and 24 points, while FC Dallas sits fifth in the West with 29 points and a 8-5-5 record. OCSC is currently riding a five-game unbeaten streak at home.
History in the Making
Saturday will be the first MLS meeting between FC Dallas and first-year Orlando. Dallas did face the then-USL Pro Orlando City in 2011 U.S. Open Cup play, a game that FCD took 2-1 at Toyota Stadium. OCSC will be without four usual starters this weekend as leading scorer Kaka sits out after receiving a red card last week against Real Salt Lake, Cyle Larin and Darwin Ceren will miss while on international duty in the Gold Cup, and Brek Shea is still recovering from a groin injury. Kaka and Larin alone have combined for 15 of the club’s 20 goals in 2015.
Key Player for Orlando City
Pedro Ribeiro – With the unusual lineup Orlando is set to field on Saturday, Ribeiro has to rise to the occasion for his side. With two goals on the season, the MLS sophomore will be the Lions’ highest scoring player on the pitch. Against an FC Dallas team that hasn’t allowed a goal in MLS play since June 19, Ribeiro will have to find his scoring touch for OCSC.
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Key Matchup
Fabian Castillo vs. Tally Hall – It’ll be a battle of two players on top of their games on Saturday. Castillo has a goal in each of FC Dallas’ last three games and has re-emerged as the team’s top scoring threat, surpassing Blas Perez for the team lead in goals during his international team absence. Hall has started every MLS game for Orlando since May 17, and has two-straight clean sheets at home in MLS contests coming into the weekend.
Projected Lineup
Goalkeeper: Tally Hall; Defenders: Luke Boden, Sean St. Ledger, Seb Hines, Raphael Ramos; Midfielders: Lewis Neal, Amobi Okugo, Pedro Ribeiro, Crisitan Higuita, Eric Avila; Forwards: Carlos Rivas
Keys to three points
FC Dallas hasn’t had a ton of success away from Frisco this season, but they’ll have a perfect opportunity to right the ship this weekend against a shorthanded Orlando side. Fabian Castillo and Mauro Diaz can continue their onslaught of offense, while Dan Kennedy and the back line continue to hold their own on the other side of the pitch, Saturday will be sunny for FC Dallas.
