FC Dallas hits the road for the first away match of 2016 as they head to Houston for Leg One of the Texas Derby on Saturday evening. Dallas opened up the season with a 2-0 win over the Philadelphia Union last Sunday, while registering 18 shots and allowing just one against. The Dynamo faltered late in a 3-3 draw against the New England Revolution, allowing the game-tying goal in the 93rd minute.
THE BATTLE FOR EL CAPITAN
Dallas has held El Capitan for three-straight season, a Texas Derby record. The lead in the Texas Derby series is on the line in 2016, with each team having won El Capitan five times as the rivalry enters its 11th season. FCD has not lost to Houston since June 2012, totaling five MLS matches and seven matches across all competitions. The last two trips to BBVA Compass Stadium have yielded 4-1 results for the team to the north.
KEY PLAYER FOR HOUSTON
Giles Barnes – The 27-year-old has been one of the top Dynamo performers in recent Texas Derby match-ups, notching two of Houston’s five goals against FCD in the last three seasons, while picking up eleven shots in that time. He put the Dynamo up late in the season opener with his first goal of the year.
KEY MATCH-UPS
Maxi Urruti vs. Jalil Anibaba – Urruti showcased why Dallas moved up in the 2016 Re-Entry Draft to select him on Sunday, notching his first of the season. The journeyman Anibaba will have his hands full in the matchup of Texas Derby newcomers.
Mauro Diaz vs. Ricardo Clark – With two assists on Sunday, Diaz is in midseason form early in 2016. In his seven matches since returning from injury last September, the Magic Little Unicorn has failed to notch a goal or an assist in just one of those, picking up three goals and six assists.
PROJECTED LINEUP (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper: Joe Willis; Defenders: DeMarcus Beasley, Raul Rodriguez, David Horst, Jalil Anibaba; Midfielders: Alex, Ricardo Clark; Giles Barnes, Cristian Maidana, Andrew Wenger; Forward: Will Bruin.
KEYS TO THREE POINTS
Dallas has run away with the Texas Derby in the last three years, but the Dynamo have added depth to their attack in the offseason, and proved in Week One that scoring goals is not an issue. If FCD can continue their offensive onslaught from their match against the Union and maintain the same defensive form, they can assure their unbeaten streak in the Derby until at least June and take a the first step in retaining El Capitan.
