FC Dallas is back at Toyota Stadium for the first time this month to take on the Colorado Rapids on Saturday, Aug. 31 at 7:30PM.
Here's everything you need to know before the match.
HOW TO WATCH
The match will be streamed in both English and Spanish on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
HOW TO LISTEN
English: You can listen to all the action on the FC Dallas app and Talk Radio 1190AM. Host Sam Hale will provide pregame and postgame coverage beginning at 7PM with broadcasters Owen Newkirk and Steve Davis calling the game.
Spanish: Carlos Alvarado and Jimmy Venegas will call the game in Spanish on the FC Dallas app starting at 7:30PM.
MATCH OVERVIEW
Head-to-Head Records
- FCD record: 9-11-6 (33 points, 10th in West)
- COL record: 12-9-5 (41 points, 4th in West)
- FCD vs. COL all-time: 35-28-19 (122 goal scored, 103 goals conceded)
- FCD vs. COL home: 26-8-8 (75 goal scored, 43 goals conceded)
Story Lines
Home Again: Thanks to the Leagues Cup break, it's been a full 45 days since FC Dallas last played an MLS game at Toyota Stadium (they did play one Leagues Cup home game on July 31). That's basically an entire preseason. Dallas made their return to league play on the road last Saturday with a barnstorming 4-3 win over D.C. United where FCD scored all four goals in the first half. If the team can maintain that prowess in front of goal, the home fans will be in for a treat when Dallas makes their triumphant return to Toyota Stadium Saturday night.
Welcome Back: Saturday promises to be the long-awaited return of Designated Player Alan Velasco. The young Argentine has been absent since tearing his ACL in last season's playoffs but he's slated to make his season debut Saturday night. Velasco has been in first-team training all month and was on the bench for Dallas' game against D.C. United, so there's a good chance he's able to come off the bench and be a difference-maker against Colorado. Considering his talent and previous production, there's hope that Velasco is the final piece to help Dallas make a playoff push over these final eight games. We'll get a better idea of his current level when we (hopefully) see him on Saturday.
Colorado: The Colorado Rapids are enjoying a resurgent season under head coach Chris Armas. They're currently in fourth place in the West with a 12-9-5 record with 50 goals from just 26 games. Armas also led the Rapids to a third-place finish in the Leagues Cup last week, meaning they've qualified for next season's Concacaf Champions Cup. While they're undoubtedly on a hot streak, the Rapids have already played seven games in August while Dallas has played just one. Knowing the heat in Dallas, there's a possibility Colorado's packed schedule finally catches up with them Saturday night.
