KANSAS CITY - FC Dallas will look to snap their current three-game winless streak and a six-game winless streak in Kansas tonight as they face Sporting KC for the third time in regular season play. Let’s dive into Oscar Pareja’s lineup tasked with just that.
Back (Line) to the Start
Tonight will be the first match since May 28 that FC Dallas’ opening-day back line of Hernan Grana, Walker Zimmerman, Matt Hedges and Maynor Figueroa start a match. The team is 4-1-3 with 11 goals for and six against with the four patrolling the backfield.
Dallas has not allowed Sporting KC to score in league play at all this season and holds a 197-minute shutout streak against the home side dating back to August 13, 2016.
Acosta and Gruezo
For the first time since June 23, Kellyn Acosta and Carlos Gruezo will start together in the defensive midfield. Acosta missed three league matches on international duty, while Gruezo missed the last two on suspension. The tandem played 14 minutes together against Vancouver three weeks ago, Acosta coming on as a halftime sub before Gruezo was shown a red card in the 59th minute.
FCD is 4-1-6 in MLS games this season when the duo start together.
No Mauro
After picking up a slight knock in training late this week, Mauro Diaz did not make the trip to Kansas City. The Magician stayed back in Frisco to rest and is expected to be available once again for Wednesday’s Texas Derby finale against Houston at Toyota Stadium.
