FRISCO, Texas - FC Dallas travels to face New York City FC at Yankee Stadium for its first away trip of the MLS season this Saturday at 11:30AM CT. Dallas is looking to earn its first ever win at Yankee Stadium against an NYCFC team that's still searching for its first points of 2020. Here's three things to keep on eye on for Saturday's matchup.
Paxton’s First Start?
With first-choice attacking midfielder Jesus Ferreira already away with the USMNT for Olympic qualifying, we may see Paxton Pomykal step in to earn his first start of the season. Having undergone offseason surgery, the 20-year-old has been limited to sub appearances in the previous two games but could well feature from the start against NYCFC. If he’s in the starting lineup on Saturday, keep on eye on Pomykal in the center of the park as his energy and creativity could be crucial to the outcome at Yankee Stadium.
Pepi Off the Bench
Seventeen-year-old Ricardo Pepi came off the bench last week and scored his first FC Dallas goal in stoppage time to save a point against the Montreal Impact—becoming the 12th youngest player to score in MLS. While he likely won’t start many games this year, the El Paso native brings high energy and clinical finishing as a late-game substitute. If Dallas needs a goal on Saturday, we could see another Pepi cameo appearance towards the end of the match.
NYC's Alexander Ring
Midfielder Alexander Ring is among New York’s most influential players. While Maxi Moralez racks up most of the goals and assists from midfield, it’s Ring’s passing range that sets the tempo for NYC’s play. Last year, Ring finished with the 5th most passes of any midfielder in MLS and he has more than any other NYC player over the first two games this season. Ring will once again sit at the base of City’s midfield and if Dallas can limit his influence on the game, they’ll have a much better chance of earning their first win at Yankee Stadium.
