FC DALLAS vs. AUSTIN FC

2021 MLS Regular Season

August 7 - 7:30PM

Toyota Stadium, Frisco, TX

TXA 21 | KMPX-29 | FCDallas.com/Stream | FCDallas.com/Radio | 1270AM

DALvATX

HEAD-TO-HEAD

• FCD record: 4-7-6 (18 pts., 9th in West)
• ATX record: 4-8-4 (16 pts., 12th in West)
• FCD vs. ATX all-time: 0-0-0 (0 GF, 0 GA)
• FCD vs. ATX home: 0-0-0 (0 GF, 0 GA)

A NEW DERBY

• Saturday is a big day for soccer in Texas as FC Dallas and Austin FC face off for the very first time in MLS play. But the game isn't just about local bragging rights. The clubs are separated by just two points in the Western Conference and are both battling to put themselves back into the playoff picture as they approach the midpoint of the season.

Defender Ryan Hollingshead: “We’ve got to get used to it a little bit, having this new derby. But we take some pride in being the best in Texas. We’ve been (the best in Texas) for the last couple years I think, with the derby, so we want to keep it going.”

RIDE THE WAVE

• FC Dallas enters the match in its best form of the season. FCD earned seven points (two wins and a draw) in its last three games against the top teams in the West: LA Galaxy, Sporting KC and Seattle Sounders. The renaissance also saw Dallas score seven goals over the three matches, by far the team's best return of 2021.

Midfielder Paxton Pomykal: "We're feeling confident, confident as always. Even when we were going on the road and not getting points, we were confident in what we were doing and they way we were playing. Now the results are starting to bounce our way and so I feel the energy and readiness even more."

TAFARI'S RISE

• Two months ago, defender Nkosi Tafari had never played an MLS game. Since breaking into the starting lineup following injuries to Matt Hedges and José Martínez, Tafari has been a revelation in central defense and been a standout in his 10 games so far. Even with the more experienced duo returning, there's a good chance Tafari has played his way into Luchi's plans going forward.

Head Coach Luchi Gonzalez: “He continues to just mature with each game and learn new things. But he's not skipping steps, he's making his mistakes as well but he's not afraid and he shows an ability to learn. He's in that zone to take feedback well and apply it. Our competition is tough now, we've got Matt and José returning from injury, they know that we need them as well, we need everybody, that's what a team is for."