FRISCO - FC Dallas gets back to action after a weekend off as Columbus Crew SC visits Frisco for the only time this season. As Dallas looks to kick start a return to the postseason over the final seven weeks, let’s dive in to the lineup that Oscar Pareja is putting out tonight.
IF IT AIN’T BROKE
After a 4-2 win over Houston two weeks ago tonight, FCD will role out the exact same XI that sparked its biggest offensive night on the season. In fact, the home side will dress the exact same 18-man roster from the Derby win.
It marks just the second time this season Dallas has rolled out the same XI in consecutive matches, the only other time coming with a 3-0 win over Seattle on March 18 and a 1-1 draw with Portland on April 7. Both of those matches were also played at home with a weekend off in between.
HOT HAND
Michael Barrios, in his 100th MLS start, will try to tie a franchise record with an eighth straight game recording a goal or an assist. The winger has six goals and three assists over his last seven matches, a consecutive feat bested only by the legend Carlos Ruiz in 2006 from May 6 to June 24.
BACK SIX
Dallas has focused heavy on cleaning things up defensively during the international break after allowing six goals in the span of four days leading into it. Tonight’s likely first-choice crop of four defenders and two defensive midfielders will look to get back on track in only their fifth match as a unit and playing consecutive matches together for the first time since early August.
The group played three straight matches after Marquinhos Pedroso’s addition from July 28-Aug. 12 before Reto Ziegler missed three games from August 18-29.
