FRISCO – FC Dallas finishes their two game homestand against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday afternoon. Dallas (4-1-4, 16 points) defeated the LA Galaxy 3-2 last week, while Vancouver (4-5-2, 14 points) played a draw against the Houston Dynamo and played to a 2-2 draw Wednesday night at home against San Jose.
Opposing Strengths
FC Dallas has had one of the strongest backlines in the league, but for the first time since the season opener, FCD will not start the combination of Nedyalkov-Ziegler-Hedges-Cannon. With Ziegler out after a red card last weekend, it is likely that Maynor Figueroa will step in and help try to stop the Whitecaps attack. Vancouver is ranked 21st in the league in goals per game, but forward Kei Kamara is back in the lineup, returning from a groin injury. Defensively, Vancouver has been solid besides two slip-ups against Sporting KC and Atlanta. FC Dallas will look to build on their three-goal performance this past weekend.
Key Match-Ups
Matt Hedges vs. Kei Kamara – Kamara returned to the starting lineup last game for the first time in over a month. In six starts this season, Kamara has three goals and three assists. Without Ziegler, Hedges and his center back partner will have their hands full against the former Golden Boot winner.
Maxi Urruti vs. Kendall Waston – Waston earned the Audi Player Index Performance of the Week against Houston last week after he had a goal and an assist. He also won seven of eight aerial balls and completed 93 percent of his passes. The 6’5 center back can cause some problems for Dallas’ offense in the middle of the field.
Projected XI
(4-4-2) Brian Rowe; Sean Franklin, Kendall Waston, José Aja, Marcel de Jong; Bernie Ibini, Aly Ghazal, Felipe, Alphonso Davies; Anthony Blondell, Kei Kamara
Keys to Three Points
Dallas is getting a struggling Vancouver team who has only picked up only four points in their last six matches and will be playing their third game in an eight day stretch. FCD may only have to put one goal away, as Vancouver has been shut out three times in their last five matches.
