FRISCO - You’ve got questions? Unfortunately, we don’t have many answers after FC Dallas played its ninth straight match without posting a win. Yes, the 0-0 draw against a red-hot Seattle team was a nice defensive effort but, there’s no other way around it, Dallas needs a W.
Up next for Oscar Pareja’s men is a matchup against Minnesota United who is fresh off a resilient 3-2 win over Montreal in which United trailed twice. Minnesota could have some tired legs as the clubs plays Toronto who boasts a league-best 62 points and is the first and only MLS team that has clinched a playoff spot.
Dallas currently sits eighth in the Western Conference while Minnesota is ninth (prior to Wednesday’s match). Let’s take a look at the latest MLS Power Rankings roundup to see where both teams landed after 28 weeks.
MLS
1. Toronto FC (no change)
2. Atlanta United FC (+1)
3. New York City FC (-1)
4. Vancouver Whitecaps FC (+1)
5. Seattle Sounders FC (-1)
14. FC Dallas (-1) - Something’s rotten in Frisco. Will it finally force Oscar Pareja to take a long look at his first-choice XI?
19. Minnesota United FC (+2) - We’re starting to learn a little something about what an improved Minnesota might look like in 2018 and it’s a safe bet that Abu Danladi will have a place.
ESPN FC
1. Toronto FC (no change)
2. New York City FC (no change)
3. Seattle Sounders (no change)
4. Atlanta United FC (+3)
5. Sporting Kansas City (+1)
17. FC Dallas (no change) - FC Dallas are eighth in the Western Conference after Saturday's 0-0 draw vs. Seattle. Eighth. They were in first place in July. There are simply no answers for what's going on in Big D.
19.Minnesota United(+1): The 3-0 midweek loss in Vancouver was bad, but the Loons rebounded nicely on Saturday, winning 3-2 in Montreal.
Soccer America
1. Toronto FC (no change)
2. New York City FC (no change)
3. Seattle Sounders (no change) - A goal off the bench by Lamar Neagle --two minutes after his entry -- from a superb serve by Roman Torres extended the Sounders’ unbeaten streak to 12 games, though this was a third straight 1-1 tie. Jordan Morris managed no shots in his sixth straight start before leaving with a strained hamstring; his replacement in the 61st minute, Will Bruin, took four shots and put one on target.
4. Sporting Kansas City (+1)
5. Vancouver Whitecaps FC(+1)
13. Minnesota United (+2) - Twice rallying from one-goal deficits on the road -- on the heels of a loss and cross-country flight -- and winning late with a great strike from rookie Abu Danladi shows how much determination has been infused by head coach Adrian Heath and his staff. Despite some horrendous results and 58 goals conceded, the Loons are legit.
14. FC Dallas (-2) - FCD plugged up its leaky defense – 12 goals allowed in the previous five games -- to post its first shutout in more than a month, but has itself failed to score five times during its nine-match winless skid. Out of the playoff tier on goal difference, it starts a run of three matches in eight days Saturday at Minnesota United.
