FRISCO - It's the beginning of a new era for FC Dallas. As the club opens its 24th season, new head coach Luchi Gonzalez enters his first this afternoon against the New England Revolution.
Let's dive into his inaugural Starting XI and bench.
THE 4-3-3
Dallas will debut the new 4-3-3 formation under Gonzalez with 10 of the 11 starters returning from last year's squad. Dominique Badji appear reinvigorated after a strong preseason and has regular Santiago Mosquera and Michael Barrios on his flanks. The three-man midfield sees Carlos Gruezo playing a pivotal role defensively with Jacori Hayes starting in his second straight season opener and newcomer Bryan Acosta making his MLS debut higher up the field. The back line remains mostly intact from a year ago with Ryan Hollingshead getting the starting nod after a strong preseason at left back.
CAPTAINCY
After wearing the captain's armband in much of preseason, Reto Zielger will once again dawn it for the first regular season game of 2019. As part of Gonzalez's leadership group, Ziegler is the matchday captain while Matt Hedges, who has worn the armband for much of his tenure in Dallas, serves as a co-captain and a vital part of the team's leadership on and off the field.
YOUTH ON THE BENCH
The first two attacking substitutions off the bench could be Homegrowns with Jesus Ferreira and Paxton Pomykal seeing their stock rise throughout the preseason, and in Pomykal's case being the last man cut from today's starting lineup. Edwin Cerrillo makes his first professional roster just over two weeks after signing as a Homegrown and John Nelson also makes his first pro roster after being selected No. 10 overall in January's SuperDraft.
Marquinhos Pedroso and Zdenek Ondrasek are two of the bigger names not included in the first 18-man roster of 2019, but will see action today with North Texas SC in the club's preseason match directly following the FCD match.
