After a huge 3-1 win over the Chicago Fire last Saturday, FC Dallas heads to Houston to take on the Dynamo in a vital quarterfinal match of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tonight. Even in the midst of a tightly packed schedule - including two games last week and a top-of-the-table match against Colorado coming up on Saturday - Dallas has managed to hold up in spite of injuries, lineup changes, and tired legs. Ahead of tonight's matchup, here's what you need to know about our rivals.
TEXAS DERBY, OPEN CUP STYLE
The Texas Derby rivalry dates back a long time, but tonight the two teams will face off in the Open Cup. Though Houston has stayed at the bottom of the standings for much of the season so far - with a 4-9-6 record and an average of less than one goal per game - they've held their own in two matches against Dallas. The first was a 5-0 win for Houston back in March and the second was a hard-fought 1-1 draw in June. Tonight, Houston will also have the distinct advantage of playing on their home field against Dallas.
KEY PLAYER FOR HOUSTON
Will Bruin - The Dynamo forward has recorded some pretty impressive statistics this season, including four goals, two assists, 32 shots and 13 shots on goal. He also led his team with 11 goals and 25 shots on goal last season and played in every game but one. This season, he's started 14 of the 17 games he's played, but he sat out Houston's last game on Friday - which just means he'll be well-rested for tonight's matchup.
KEY MATCHUP
Ricardo Clark vs. Kellyn Acosta - it'll be a midfield battle on Wednesday night between the two players. Clark has the experience - he's played in the MLS since 2005 and has been with Houston since 2006 - and he knows how to get past Dallas' strong defense, as he scored the Dynamo's only goal during that 1-1 draw in June. But Acosta, even though he's young, has the talent to put up a good fight against opposing defense. He registered an assist in Dallas' match on Saturday and has tallied five total assists this season, which puts him in second place on his team behind Mauro Diaz, and he's also scored one goal.
PROJECTED LINEUP (4-1-4-1)
Goalkeeper: Joe Willis; Defenders: Jalil Anibaba, Raul Rodriguez, David Horst, Sheanon Williams; Midfielders: Collen Warner, Boniek Garcia, Alex, Ricardo Clark, Andrew Wenger; Forward: Giles Barnes.
KEYS TO THE WIN
Head Coach Oscar Pareja has some tough decisions ahead when determining the starting lineup - not only does he need key players for tonight's win-or-go-home quarterfinal, but he also needs to have enough rested players for Saturday's fairly important match, too. But for tonight, as long as he lets players like Fabian Castillo and Mauro Diaztake the field, who both had impressive performances in Dallas' last game, Houston could be in trouble.