FC Dallas will look to head into their Copa America break on a winning note as they host the Houston Dynamo on Thursday night. Dallas (8-4-3) is unbeaten in their last four games after a 0-0 draw in San Jose on Saturday, and have a 12-game unbeaten streak at home – including a 4-1 win over their Texas Derby foes last October. The Dynamo (3-7-3) are coming off their first game since the departure of coach Owen Coyle – a 1-1 draw against Vancouver.
OPPOSING TRENDS
Houston took Leg One of the Texas Derby in resounding fashion, 5-0 over Dallas, in the second week of the season. Since that time, however, the teams have been heading in opposite directions. FCD has climbed to within a point of the top spot in the league with a 7-2-3 record since the first meeting. The Dynamo have managed just two wins and a 2-7-2 record in the same time frame – finding themselves in last place in the Western Conference and within a point of the MLS standings basement.
KEY PLAYER FOR HOUSTON
Will Bruin – The Dynamo forward opened his 2016 campaign against Dallas and is tied for second on his team in goals (3) With back-to-back 10 goal seasons and leading-scorer Giles Barnes out on international duty, Bruin is the top target in the Houston attack.
KEY MATCH-UPS
Maxi Urruti vs. David Horst – The 30-year-old defender was able to shut down the Argentine striker in Leg One, allowing just two shots. Tesho stepped up during Urruti’s injury absence in recent weeks, but it’ll be a healthy Urruti’s time shine once again with Tesho gone on international duty this week.
Maynor Figueroa vs. Andrew Wenger – Wenger enjoyed a breakout game in March with a goal and two assists – matching his totals for all of 2015 in both categories. Figueroa will return to the lineup this week after international duty and will be called upon to prevent a similar performance on the left side.
PROJECTED LINEUP (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper: Tyler Deric; Defenders: DaMarcus Beasley, Raul Rodriguez, David Horst, Sheanon Williams; Midfielders: Boniek Garcia, Collen Warner, Ricardo Clark; Forwards: Erick 'Cubo' Torres, Will Bruin, Andrew Wenger.
KEYS TO THREE POINTS
Dallas has maintained their 2015 league-best home record into the first half of 2016 and will look to even the Texas Derby series up at Toyota Stadium. If the offense can maintain production with eight goals in their last four games, while the defense can build on three goals allowed and two clean sheets in the same span, they should take home three points and the top spot in MLS with a two-week break.
