FRISCO - It's Derby time in Texas as FC Dallas and the Houston Dynamo meet for the first time in 2017 on national TV tonight. We're an hour from kick, lineups are out and there's a big storyline for Oscar Pareja's side:
The Magician Returns
Although not in a starting role quite yet, Mauro Diaz makes his return to an 18-man roster for FC Dallas for the first time since tearing his Achilles' tendon on October 16, 2016. The playmaker has been a full participant in training for several weeks now, and although he's still working on full match fitness, he's available for a shortened appearance if needed in tonight's rivalry match.
Full Power
All five players FCD left in Texas for their midweek match in Chicago - Kellyn Acosta, Jesse Gonzalez, Hernan Grana, Maxi Urruti and Walker Zimmerman - are back in the lineup against Houston, well-rested and ready to go. It'll be a 4-4-2 for Pareja and Co., but despite the frequent faces within this Starting XI, it is the first time Dallas has used these eleven in combination this season. It is the eleventh different lineup FCD has used in now 12 MLS games this season.
Victor's 100th
Another important sighting off the bench, should it happen, would be Victor Ulloa. The Homegrown's next appearance for Dallas will be the 100th MLS game of his career, becoming just the eighth Homegrown player to hit the century mark.
