FRISCO — FC Dallas and Orlando City SC meet for the only time in 2018 on Saturday. FCD leads the all-time series with Orlando with a 2-0-1 record. The teams have only met once at Toyota Stadium, resulting in a 4-0 win for Dallas in 2016.
Dallas clinched a spot in the playoffs last week after a draw in Portland and will next look to clinch a home match in the playoffs. It can do that this week with a win and a little bit of help elsewhere around the league.
Orlando has not yet been officially eliminated from the Eastern Conference playoff race, but it could happen this week. It is sitting in last place in the Eastern Conference with 25 points, 15 points shy of the final playoff spot. Orlando is winless in its last 10 matches, losing seven and scoring zero goals in its last three games.
Road Struggles
Orlando has tied for the second-least amount of points on the road this season, registering six points in 14 matches. They have not recorded a point on the road since April 29, losing 11 straight matches with a goal differential of -26. Orlando has given up 2.79 goals per game away from home, the highest in the league.
Key Matchups
Maxi Urruti vs. Jonathan Spector — Urruti has taken a new role as of late for FC Dallas, sitting a little bit further back and being a distributor and a free kick specialist. He has assisted on five of the team's last eight goals. Urruti has two multi-assist games in 158 regular season appearances, both have come since August 29.
Matt Hedgesvs. Dom Dwyer— Dwyer is the man to watch up top for Orlando. He leads the team with 12 goals on the season, including four goals in the team's last eight matches.
Projected Starting XI
Orlando City SC (4-5-1): Grinwis; El-Munir, Sané, Spector, Sutter; Rosell, Ascues, Yotún, Kljestan, Johnson; Dwyer
Keys to Three Points
FCD must put its foot on the gas from the opening second. Orlando has given up 10 goals in the first 15 minutes of the game, the second most in MLS. On the flip side, Orlando's three goals in the opening 15 minutes is tied for the third worst.
