FC Dallas will host New York City FC for the first time in the team’s only home match in the month of September on Saturday night. Dallas sits third in the Western Conference coming into the weekend with 26 points and a record of 13-8-5. NYCFC sits ninth in the East with 28 points and a record of 7-13-7.
FIRST TIME AROUND
NYCFC’s first year in MLS hasn’t gone as the Bronx faithful had hoped. After making big name international signings in Frank Lampard, David Villa and Andrea Pirlo, the team has struggled at times to put everything together on the field. Jason Kreis’ side has scored 38 goals this season, the same total as FCD with one more game played, but has also allowed 46 goals in 2015, compared to Dallas’ 30. The new team in New York is still alive in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, just three points below the red line, but will need to turn things around from their recent stretch with one win in their last six games.
KEY PLAYER FOR NYCFC
David Villa – Of the three big names the NYCFC roster boasts, Villa is by far the most dangerous at this point of league play. The Spaniard has 15 goals and seven assists in 24 appearances during his first MLS campaign and is one of the most active forwards in the league – leading all players with 56 shots on goal and sitting second in shots with 119.
KEY MATCH-UPS
Zach Loyd vs. David Villa – Loyd has played a big role in FCD’s two straight clean sheets and he’ll be tested on Saturday against a world-class player such as Villa and the brunt of NYCFC’s attack.
Jesse Gonzalez vs. Josh Saunders – NYCFC has allowed nine goals in their last three games while Jesse Gonzalez has allowed just one in his first three MLS starts. If he can keep up his stellar play in net against a high-powered offense, his team is sure to provide scoring help on the other end of the field.
PROJECTED LINEUP
Goalkeeper: Josh Saunders; Defenders: Angelino, Jason Hernandez, Jefferson Mena, Andoni Iraola; Midfielders: Frank Lampard, Andrea Pirlo, Andrew Jacobson; Forwards: David Villa, Patrick Mullins, Mix Diskerud.
KEYS TO THREE POINTS
Both teams are searching for a big three-point performance as they hit the final stretch of the regular season. If Dallas can maintain their scoring touch and defensive form from the last two weeks, they should be able to claim the only points available at Toyota Stadium this month.
