It may only seem like yesterday when FC Dallas downed Real Salt Lake 2-1 at Toyota Stadium, but the two sides will square off again this weekend in Utah.
FC Dallas is 4-8-3 in all-time regular season matches at Rio Tinto Stadium. Earlier this season the two sides ended their first meeting there in a 0-0 draw.
Jeff Cassar’s club is coming off a 1-1 draw last weekend to the San Jose Earthquakes, a game in which Javier Morales returned from his hip injury to score RSL’s lone goal off a penalty kick.
Injury Watch
RSL has had to deal with several long-term injuries this season. John Stertzer (tibia), Rich Balchan (abductor) and Jordan Allen (knee) have all been listed as out.
Cassar’s club has also been dealing with injuries to key players like Alvaro Saborio (foot) and Javier Morales (hip), though both could be featured this weekend. Cassar has told local media that Saborio, who has missed three months with a foot injury, is now listed as day-to-day.
Key Matchups
Fabian Castillo vs Nat Borchers – This was a matchup that nearly worked in RSL’s favor last time around in Frisco. But as the game wore on, Castillo’s speed continued to be a difference maker as he scored the game winner. Expect FC Dallas to use the speed of Castillo up top with Blas Perez out this weekend on international duty.
Victor Ulloa vs Javier Morales - The veteran Argentine midfielder didn’t feature two weeks ago for RSL and Ulloa was able to control the middle of the field for FCD. This weekend Morales should be fit to go again for RSL and if he is able to get open space in the midfield, it could make for a difficult time for the young Homegrown player.
Key Player for the RSL
Kyle Beckerman - Many observers will continue to say that as Beckerman goes, so will RSL. That reigns true more so as the season rolls on towards the playoffs. While Joao Plata, Morales and others up front will get the praise for the attack at RSL, it is Beckerman that calms the midfield down and helps establish RSL’s style of play from the opening whistle.
Projected Lineup
Cassar has stuck it out with a 4-4-2 formation this season, using a diamond midfield with Morales leading the top of it. The veteran midfielder did miss last week’s game with Seattle so Cassar could opt to use budding young star Luis Gil instead, with Joao Plata also set to miss the match on international duty.
Goalkeeper: Nick Rimando; RB: Tony Beltran; CB: Chris Schuler, Nat Borchers ; LB: Chris Wingert; RM: Luke Molholland; DM: Kyle Beckerman; LM: Ned Grabavoy; AM Javier Morales, Luis Gil FW: Olmes Garcia
Keys to three points
Facing a team so quickly after the last meeting is always tricky, especially when there are injuries and international call-ups going on during this time. Oscar Pareja will once again have to get creative with his lineup with Perez out for a second straight weekend.
RSL will be looking for revenge too in this one after the last meeting that saw them control most of the game due to the red card to Perez. As long as FCD doesn’t allow RSL to dictate the style of play in this one and control the open field, there will be chances for FCD to catch RSL on the counter-attack like they did two weeks ago.
FCD will want to find ways to get Castillo, Tesho Akindele and Andres Escobar in open space to run at the RSL defense. While they are good at containing on defense, they struggle at dealing with speed. FCD will also want to make the most of their set piece opportunities as well in this one, seeing as how RSL is vulnerable in that department.
Defensively speaking, FC Dallas has to play a smart and compact game against RSL. It worked well last time due to the red card to Perez that the team remained compact and didn’t allow a ton of chances within the penalty box.
