Following a two-game road trip that saw FC Dallas drop their first games since May, the club returns home this weekend for a vital Western Conference showdown with the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Vancouver is coming off a midweek home game against the San Jose Earthquakes that saw them win 2-0. Right now the ‘Caps are sitting five points behind FC Dallas in the Western Conference standings, good enough for fifth place. Despite the win against San Jose, the ‘Caps only have two wins in their last 10 games.
These two sides met earlier this season at the end of July in Vancouver with the result ending in a 2-2 draw. FC Dallas got goals from Blas Perez and Michel but were undone by a penalty kick called against Moises Hernandez in the early part of the second half.
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FC Dallas has done very well over the years at home against the Whitecaps though, going 4-0-0 in all-time meetings in Frisco with the 'Caps only scoring once.
Injury Watch
Vancouver manager Carl Robinson only has a couple injury concerns to worry about at the moment. Caleb Clarke (quad), Gershon Koffie (right foot sprain), and Andre Lewis (ACL sprain) are all listed as out for this weekend’s match.
Key Matchups
Victor Ulloa vs Pedro Morales - The young Dallas Homegrown has faced some tough competition over the last couple weeks and it won’t get any easier against Morales. The Vancouver midfielder currently leads the Whitecaps with eight goals and 10 assists. Ulloa will need to close down passing lanes for Morales and find ways to keep him off the ball.
Fabian Castillo vs Andy O’Brien - The speed up front for FC Dallas has to be utilized in this game with Castillo more than what has been done in the last two weeks. Vancouver doesn’t have the speed in the defense to keep up with Castillo, Andres Escobar or Tesho Akindele.
Key Player for Vancouver
Matias Laba - Most may not realize just how good the 22-year old Argentine really is in the Whitecaps midfield. Laba brings a good grit and a toughness factor to the midfield as he does all the dirty work in front of the defense but he also helps push the ball up the field into the attack.
RIDE THE FCD EXPRESS TO SATURDAY'S MATCH!
Projected Lineup
Robinson has stuck with a fairly basic 4-4-2 this season.
GK: David Ousted, RB: Steven Beitashour; CB: Andy O’Brien, Kendall Watson, ; LB: Jordan Harvey, RM: Mauro Rosales, CM: Matias Laba, Pedro Morales; LM: Russell Teibert; FW: Erik Hurtado, Darren Mattocks
Keys to three points
Returning home this weekend will be just what FC Dallas needs to return to their winning ways. Injuries and suspensions finally caught up to the club on the recent two-game road trip to Chicago and Salt Lake.
This one remains simple though based on how Vancouver plays, go wide with the ball, use the speed up front and keep things simple in the back. Vancouver has the talent to put a lot of pressure on FC Dallas but the long road trip could factor in on the short rest for them.
Vancouver peppered San Jose on Wednesday night with 17 shots, for Dallas to be successful in this one they need to find ways to limit the chances that the Whitecaps get on goal. That means controlling a little more of the possession in the midfield and playing a long-ball type game that they have gotten into these last two weeks.
This game is incredibly important to the playoff chances for FC Dallas, win this one and you remain a good eight points clear of fifth place, but another loss will make things a little more dicey for the final six weeks of the season.
