FC Dallas will kick off the 2016 MLS Regular Season at home on Sunday against the Philadelphia Union, pres. by AdvoCare. In the lone meeting between the two sides last season, Dallas took a 2-0 decision in the City of Brotherly Love, with tallies from Tesho Akindele and Ryan Hollingshead. All-time, FCD has never lost to Philadelphia, posting a record of 4-0-4 against their Eastern Conference opponent.
FRESH START
FC Dallas will look to build upon the best statistical season in franchise history with a re-tooled roster, boasting offseason additions including Maxi Urruti, Carlos Gruezo and Maynor Figueroa while maintaining the young core of the 2015 team. Philadelphia, on the other hand, will look to start the year on the right foot after a disappointing season in 2015, finishing ninth in the East with a record of 10-17-7. Under the direction of new Technical Director Earnie Stewart, the club has revamped its roster with 12 new faces, while not bringing back 16 members of last year’s squad.
KEY PLAYER FOR PHILADELPHIA
C.J. Sapong – The 27-year-old led the Union in scoring last season with nine goals in 27 appearances. He's made lofty expectations of a 20-goal season in 2016 and he'll need to carry a heavy load if Philadelphia wants to finish in a playoff spot this year.
KEY MATCH-UPS
Jesse Gonzalez vs. Andre Blake – Dallas’ Homegrown keeper holds the top spot coming into a season for the first time in his career, and the spotlight is on him after a breakout finish to 2015. Blake, on the other hand, has been handed the starting role after inconsistency at the position for the Union. The top-pick in 2014, the Jamaican international had two clean sheets in six starts last season.
Maxi Urruti vs. Josh Yaro – Urruti appears to be the go-to guy for Dallas at striker to start 2016, and Sunday will be his first test with the full-time starter roll after two-straight years with 12 starts in 30 appearances. Yaro, a prized pick-up in the 2016 SuperDraft, will be tested early in Week 1 if he does earn the starting nod at center back for the Union.
PROJECTED LINEUP (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper: Andre Blake; Defenders: Ray Giddis, Ken Tribbett, Josh Yaro, Fabinho; Midfielders: Brian Carroll, Vincent Nogueira; Sebastien Le Toux, Ilsinho, Chris Pontius; Forward: C.J. Sapong.
KEYS TO THREE POINTS
Dallas will look to continue to make Toyota Stadium a fortress, after earning a league-high 13 home wins in 2015. With a re-tooled roster going up against a team in re-build, the home side appears to have the advantage on paper, but anything is possible at the start of the year. If FCD can integrate the new faces quickly and maintain the standard set in 2015, they should pick up the first three points in what they hope is a memorable 2016.
