FC Dallas returns to MLS play for the first time in two weeks as Sporting KC visits Frisco on Saturday night. Dallas (13-6-5) remains atop the Supporters’ Shield standings and is coming off a pair of 2-1 wins in CCL and U.S. Open Cup play over the last week and a half. SKC (10-11-4) is on the heels of a 3-0 loss at Portland last weekend and after Saturday, will head directly to their second CCL group stage match on Tuesday in Trinidad and Tobago.
HOME SWEET HOME
In the first two meetings of the year between FCD and SKC, the home side has taken both affairs – a 2-1 Dallas win on April 17 and a 2-0 win by Sporting on June 19. Dating back to 2012, the home side in the series has never lost a game in nine tries, including four wins from the hosts in all competitions last season – Dallas winning the lone meeting in Frisco, SKC taking all three matching at then-Sporting Park.
KEY PLAYER FOR SPORTING KC
Dom Dwyer – Leading his team for the third-straight season with 10 goals, Dwyer continues to be the top target for SKC. He’s only scored once in five career meetings against Dallas, but has 3 of SKC’s 7 road goals in 2016.
KEY MATCH-UPS
Mauro Diaz vs. Lawrence Olum – Two of Sporting’s starting central midfielders are suspended for Saturday’s match – Roger Espinoza for card accumulation and Soni Mustivar for a red card against Portland. Olum, who has stepped into the role earlier this year, could be the go-to guy in the middle for Peter Vermes come Saturday – especially since Paulo Nagamura, another option in the middle, hasn’t played since late May. Olum also has two goals in 160 minutes against Dallas this season.
Ryan Hollingshead vs.Benny Feilhaber –Tied for SKC’s lead in assists, Feilhaber will be called upon even more in the midfield in Frisco. He has two assists in two games against FCD this season and will look to spark an offense that hasn’t scored on the road in their last two matches.
PROJECTED LINEUP (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper: Alec Kann; Defenders: Seth Sinovic, Nuno Coelho, Ike Opara, Saad Abdul-Salaam; Midfielders: Benny Feilhaber, Lawrence Olum, Connor Hallisey; Forwards: Graham Zusi, Dom Dwyer, Jacob Peterson.
KEYS TO THREE POINTS
Dallas is coming off an incredible come-from-behind win in Open Cup play Wednesday, but will have to re-focus their efforts on their first league game in almost two weeks at home. The Dallas defense has only allowed one goal at home in their last four MLS matches, while the offense has scored 11 goals the other way in the same time. If both can continue their current form, it’ll be another three-point night at Fortress Frisco.
