FC DALLAS vs. MINNESOTA UNITED

2021 MLS Regular Season
Oct. 2 - 7PM
Toyota Stadium, Frisco, TX
TXA 21 | FCDallas.com/Stream | FCDallas.com/Radio | 1270AM

DALvMIN

HEAD-TO-HEAD

• FCD record: 6-13-9 (27 pts., 11th in West)
• MIN record: 10-9-7 (37 pts., 7th in West)
• FCD vs. MIN all-time: 5-5-1 (17 GF, 17 GA)
• FCD vs. MIN home: 4-0-1 (13 GF, 5 GA)

BACKLINE

• FC Dallas' backline has been in a state of flux over recent weeks due to various injuries and suspensions to the likes of Matt Hedges, José Martínez and Ryan Hollingshead. One of the only constants has been Ema Twumasi who's been a revelation this season, starting the last 18 games at right back and occasionally left back. The 24-year-old former first round SuperDraft pick has been converted from a winger to fullback over the last few seasons and has emerged as one of FCD's most consistent contributors.

Right back Ema Twumasi: "Having center backs in and out is not really ideal, but that's what the game is for. There’s always people to step up, people like Nkosi (Tafari) and myself who didn’t really play a lot of the beginning. We had our moment and we stepped up. Guys are always ready, there’s competition and that’s good."

FORMATION

• Dallas utilized two different formations in its last match at Toyota Stadium. Coach Marco Ferruzzi fielded a 3-5-2 in the first half against Sporting KC before reverting to the more familiar 4-2-3-1 at halftime. While FCD looked more dangerous after the break, being able to play in multiple styles helps keep the opponent guessing.

Head coach Marco Ferruzzi: “We go into a situation now with Minnesota where we’re going to play strong-handed in one of our formations that we feel comfortable in. And the expectation is the same, to be tight defensively, strong in the midfield and explosive in the attack.”

EL TRÉN KEEPS STEAMING AHEAD

• Ricardo "El Trén" Pepi notched his team-leading 13th goal of the season against SKC on Wednesday night. The 18-year-old only had two or three chances but was able to convert his 1v1 opportunity with goalkeeper Tim Melia in the 68th minute. Pepi remains one of the most dangerous strikers in the league and he'll need to be at his best again facing a Minnesota United defense that has only conceded 32 goals this season--fourth fewest in the West.

Head coach Marco Ferruzzi: “Pepi's play has been excellent this year. He continues to grow week-by-week. It’s fantastic to watch and see. He’s got an aggressive style, he’s opportunistic in the box. He’s doing what he feels comfortable doing. He’s performing at a very high level and I expect our entire attack to feel that confidence.”