FC Dallas returns home looking for a bounce-back performance against the Montreal Impact on Saturday night at Toyota Stadium. Dallas brings a 1-1-0 record into the lone match against Montreal in 2016, while the Impact are off to a hot 2-0-0 start with six goals early in the season.
DEEP THREAT
Montreal is expected to see the 2016 debut of Didier Drogba (whether he starts or comes off the bench is yet to be determined), after the striker sat out the Impact’s opening two matches to avoid playing on turf. After putting up eleven goals in his first eleven MLS games last season, Drogba’s absence has hardly impacted he Impact roster, with Ignacio Piatti scoring three goals and adding two assists in the first two games. Dominic Oduro has also started 2016 on the right foot in his second season with Montreal, scoring two goals and an assist already.
KEY PLAYER FOR MONTREAL
Didier Drogba – Despite Piatti and Oduro showing strong performances early in the season, it’s hard to deny that Montreal is a different team with the Ivory Coast international in their lineup. In his nine starts after joining the Impact mid-2015, the team posted a record of 7-1-1 with 15 goals scored – 11 coming from the foot of Drogba.
KEY MATCH-UPS
Matt Hedges vs. Ignacio Piatti – In his first two matches of the year, Piatti has favored attacking from the left side of the field. After a disappointing performance against Houston, Hedges will look to bounce back in a big way against the hottest player in MLS at the moment.
Maxi Urruti vs. Laurent Ciman – After being held off the scoreboard in Week 2, Dallas will turn to the man up top to spark the offense once again. After scoring his first goal in an FCD kit in Week 1, the Argentine will have his hands full against the reigning MLS Defender of the Year.
PROJECTED LINEUP (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper: Evan Bush; Defenders: Donny Toia, Laurent Ciman, Hassoun Camara, Maxim Tissot; Midfielders: Calum Mallace, Johan Venegas; Dominic Oduro, Harry Shipp, Ignacio Piatti; Forward: Anthony Jackson-Hamel.
KEYS TO THREE POINTS
Dallas has thrived at home in the last year-plus, but Saturday might be their biggest test yet. If the FCD attack can get back into a rhythm after and the back line can return to their dominant form, Dallas should be able to return to the win column and quiet the parade surrounding the return of Drogba.
