FRISCO, Texas - Head coach Luchi Gonzalez names an unchanged lineup as FC Dallas takes on Seattle Sounders tonight, Aug. 4 at 9PM at Lumen Field. Here's the lineup notes, pres. by UnitedHealthcare.
If It Ain't Broke
For just the third time in 2021, FCD coach Luchi Gonzalez has named an unchanged starting XI in back-to-back games. This 4-2-3-1 lineup earned a hard-fought 2-1 win away to Sporting KC at Children's Mercy Park last time out. FCD's previous unchanged lineups came on June 4 against Vancouver Whitecaps and on July 21 against the Colorado Rapids.
Front Four
For the third game in a row, the front four of Ricardo Pepi, Paxton Pomykal, Szabolcs Schön and Jesús Ferreira all start together. Collectively, the quartet has scored five of FCD's last six goals (Jáder Obrian scored one in between). Considering the average age of the four players is 19.75 years old, this combination has a lot of room to grow together.
Ricaurte Retuns
Midfielder Andrés Ricaurte returns from his one-game yellow card accumulation suspension and is available on the bench tonight. The Colombian has featured in 13 games this season (eight starts) and contributed one goal and two assists. If Dallas is needing a goal in the second half, don’t be surprised to see Ricaurte enter the game for some extra creativity in the attacking third.
Full Lineup:
Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Jimmy Maurer; Bressan, Nkosi Tafari; Ryan Hollingshead, Ema Twumasi, Edwin Cerrillo, Facundo Quignon, Paxton Pomykal, Szabolcs Schön, Jesús Ferreira; Ricardo Pepi
Substitutes:
Phelipe, Johnny Nelson, Brandon Servania, Matt Hedges, Bryan Acosta, Andrés Ricaurte, Franco Jara, Jáder Obrian, Fredday Vargas
