FC Dallas will look to carry their March momentum into April as defending Eastern Conference Champions Columbus Crew SC visit Toyota Stadium on Saturday night. Dallas is coming off their first road win of the season, 3-0 in D.C. last weekend, and looking to build on consecutive 2-0 home victories to open up 2016. Columbus will be looking for their first win on the young season after a 0-2-1 record to start their campaign.
YEAR-TO-YEAR
Dallas has picked up right where they left off in 2015, picking up two early home wins after an MLS-best 13 home wins last year. The FCD defense tied a club record with 13 shutouts last season and already has three clean sheets in their first four matches in 2016, while not allowing a goal at home thus far. Crew SC, on the other hand, had the second-most road wins last season with a 6-7-4 record, but is 0-1-1 in their first two road matches this season. Columbus scored the second-most goals in MLS in 2015, but has just two in their first three games overall this year.
KEY PLAYER FOR CREW SC
Kei Kamara – The 31-year-old striker tied the mark for most goals in MLS last season with 22 and has proven he can score in just about any way possible. He’s picked up one of Crew SC’s two tallies on the year and will be a key part of his side’s attempt to get their season back on the right track.
KEY MATCH-UPS
Carlos Gruezo vs. Federico Higuain – The newest Dallas DP has played a key role in the midfield through four matches, but will have his hands full on Saturday. Higuain is the orchestrator of Columbus’ attack and if the Dallas defense can shut him down, they’ll take a big step in keeping their clean sheet at home.
Michael Barrios vs. Waylon Francis – Barrios has posed a dangerous threat down the right side opposite of Fabian Castillo all season, but had a breakout game in D.C. with Dallas’ first two goals. Coupled with Maxi Urruti and Mauro Diaz, the Crew SC back line will have to be on their toes from the get-go on Saturday.
PROJECTED LINEUP (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper: Steve Clark; Defenders: Waylon Francis, Gaston Sauro, Michael Parkhurst, Harrison Afful; Midfielders: Tony Tchani, Wil Trapp; Justin Meram, Federico Higuain, Ethan Finlay; Forward: Kei Kamara.
KEYS TO THREE POINTS
Dallas has been unstoppable at home, but Columbus will be eagerly looking for their first win of the year as the calendar turns from March to April. If the defense can stand tall once again, while Mauro Diaz (1 goal, 4 assists) continues to pull the strings of the attack up front, Dallas should be three-for-three on three point performances at Toyota Stadium.
