Last week FC Dallas (4-3-1) defeated Toronto FC 3-2 and will now look to avenge a 4-0 loss earlier this month when it takes on Colorado Rapids (1-2-3) on Friday.
Injury Watch
Colorado will be without midfielder Sam Cronin, defender Marc Burch, and forward Dominique Badji while Marcelo Sarvas isn't injured but also unavailable due to suspension.
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Key Matchups
Fabian Castillo vs Clint Irwin- Last week Castillo scored two goals in ten minutes. We know that he is the type of player that can go on streaks and because he has been so aggressive this season, you can expect him to be a difference maker on Friday.
Matt Hedges vs Dillon Powers- Last time around, Powers had an assist and a goal in the 4-0 win over Dallas. Slowing him down will be one of Dallas’ top priorities.
Key Player for Colorado
Gabriel Torres- Torres, the Panamanian national team partner with Blas Perez, is the rapids leading scorer with two goals and will be looking to add to his season total on Friday.
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Projected Lineup
Goalkeeper: Clint Irwin; Backline: Michael Harrington, James Riley, Bobby Burling, Drew Moor; Midfield: Lucas Pittinari, Vicente Sanchez, Dillon Powers, Dillon Serna, Juan Ramirez; Forward: Gabriel Torres
Keys to three points
FC Dallas got off to a fast start last week and had the luxury of playing with a lead for all but 30 seconds of the match similar to how Colorado did earlier this season against Dallas.
Having a similar start on Friday is key. Being the first team to surrender a goal to Colorado this season and the first team to lose to the Rapids since last July could not possibly have sat well with the FC Dallas.
Revenge will most certainly be on some of the players’ minds and Dallas will be looking to send a message to the rest of the league that their loss to Colorado was an anomaly.
If FC Dallas can keep its emotions in check, play their game and get off to a quick start then three points in the Rocky Mountains is definitely within their sights.
