FRISCO - It’s a Mother’s Day Special on Sunday evening as NYCFC visits Frisco to face FC Dallas (7:00 pm, FS1). Dallas (5-0-3) enter the week atop the Western Conference and remain the only unbeaten team in MLS after last week’s 3-0 win over RSL. New York City (5-3-1) have won two straight matches while scoring three goals in each and sit third in the Eastern Conference with 16 points.
One Night Only
Sunday marks the lone matchup of 2017 between the cross-conference opponents. In two previous meetings, Dallas has picked up four points - a 2-1 inaugural meeting win in 2015 at Toyota Stadium and a 2-2 draw last September at Yankee Stadium with goals from Maxi Urruti and Michael Barrios. This time around, both teams come in as conference powerhouses, FCD remaining form from last year’s Supporters’ Shield and NYCFC finding their attack from a year ago with an improved defensive half.
Key Match-Ups
Carlos Gruezo vs. Maximiliano Morález: The Argentine newcomer for NYCFC is finding his groove in MLS with a goal or an assist in each of his last three matches. Gruezo should be well-rested after his first missed start of 2017, coming off the bench for the second half against RSL.
Matt Hedges vs. David Villa: Coming off his first goal of the season, the FCD captain will have his hands full with the reigning MLS MVP, who has six goals and four assists to start his 2017 campaign. Hedges will have to be careful though, if he’s shown a yellow card in the match, he’ll have to serve a one-game suspension for accumulation.
Last Time Out
(4-2-3-1): Sean Johnson; Ben Sweat, Alexander Callens, Maxime Chanot, Ethan White; Alexander Ring, Yangel Herrera; Rodney Wallace, Maximiliano Moralez, Jack Harrison; David Villa.
Key to Three Points
Dallas will return to Fortress Frisco with some momentum off of last weekend’s big win, but face another formidable attack in NYCFC. The Dallas defensive face will have to contain the dangerous combination of David Villa, Rodney Wallace, Jack Harrison and Maximiliano Moralez - who have 15 of New York’s 17 goals on the year, third most in MLS. If they can keep the visitors contained and keep the offense flowing off their first three-goal performance of the year, Dallas can remain unbeaten at home in 2017.
