FC Dallas will make their inaugural trip to Yankee Stadium on Saturday night to face New York City FC for the lone time in 2016. Dallas (15-8-6) is coming off of their 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title on Tuesday night, but will be looking to bounce back in league play after a 1-0 loss to Colorado on Saturday. New York City (12-9-8)
PLAY BALL
FCD will be the last current MLS team to make an appearance at Yankee Stadium this weekend. With a drastically smaller field configuration, Dallas will have to adjust their playing style for a much more intimate setting – something other teams around the league have struggled with. NYCFC have struggled to make Yankee Stadium an intimidating place to play, however, winning just 6 of their 14 games there this season (only one team currently in a playoff position has fewer), but have picked up wins in five straight and could be figuring out their home success.
KEY PLAYER FOR NEW YORK CITY
David Villa – The Spanish striker is already one goal shy of his total for all of last season with 17 this year, and is 2nd in the MLS Golden Boot race. A key component to NYCFC’s success in 2016, Villa has also scored in each of his last six games played at home. In his last 5 starts, he has averaged 4.6 shots per game.
KEY MATCH-UPS
Maxi Urruti vs.Frederic Brillant – Urruti will look to carry his momentum into New York, coming off his best game of the season on Tuesday with 2 goals and 2 near misses – his first multi-goal game since May 24, 2014. Dallas is now 11-0-1 across all competitions when he scores a goal and an assist. NYCFC’s offense might get the headlines with an MLS-best 49 goals in 2016, but their defense has been equally important allowing a league-high 50 goals this year.
Maynor Figueroa vs. Frank Lampard – Lampard has enjoyed a breakout sophomore campaign with 12 goals in 17 games this year. His goals aren’t always pretty, but he’s usually in the right spot to knock home a fortunate bounce – making him that much more dangerous to play against. Figueroa keying on the English international will be a big part of Dallas’ success.
PROJECTED LINEUP (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper: Josh Saunders; Defenders: Ronald Matarrita, Jefferson Mena, Frederic Brillant, Jason Hernandez; Midfielders: Andrea Pirlo, Federico Bravo, Frank Lampard; Forwards: Steven Mendoza, David Villa, Jack Harrison.
KEYS TO THREE POINTS
Dallas’ biggest test will be how the smaller field at Yankee Stadium will impact the fast-paced, counter attack-heavy offense. If Mauro Diaz has enough space to continue to pull the strings, Maxi Urruti can continue his finishing prowess from Tuesday and the stout defense can shut down a high-powered attack, FCD should bring back three big points from the Big Apple.
