FRISCO - FC Dallas will look to carry their road win momentum back to Toyota Stadium on Saturday night as the Philadelphia Union visit Frisco for the first time since Opening Day 2016. Dallas (2-0-3) remains the West’s lone unbeaten after last week’s 1-0 win in New England and leads MLS with just three goals allowed this season. Philadelphia (1-2-2) have alternated draws and losses since an opening day win over a nine-man Revolution side.
Missed Opportunities
With just three goals on 86 shots in 2018, the Union have the lowest shot conversion rate in MLS at 3.48 percent. Dallas, who has had their own struggles finding the back of the net given a large number of chances, is fifth-lowest with an 8.97 percent conversion rate (seven goals on 78 shots). With a league average just below 12 percent, both teams will be looking for higher quality shots to start finding the back of the net.
Key Match-Ups
Matt Hedges vs. CJ Sapong - Coming off a brace in last year’s first-ever win over FCD, Sapong is the target man in Philadelphia’s 4-2-3-1 with 16 shots taken in 2018. Hedges will continue to be the backbone of a Dallas defense that has allowed the fewest goals in MLS and keep the striker at just one goal on the year.
Michael Barrios vs. Matt Real - The Colombian winger for FCD is coming off a tough outing in New England, completing just three passes and taking two corner kicks in 63 minutes of action in Dallas’ 4-4-2 formation on the road. He’ll look for a bounce-back performance against the 19-year-old Real who has had his ups and downs after being thrust into the starting left back role with Fabinho injured in Week 2.
Projected XI
(4-2-3-1): Andre Blake; Matt Real, Auston Trusty, Jack Elliott, Keegan Rosenberry; Alejandro Bedoya, Haris Medunjanin; David Accam, Borek Dockal, Fabrice-Jean Picault; CJ Sapong.
Keys to Three Points
While FCD continues to look for goal-scoring answers up front, their defense has been earning them points this far in 2018. Against a Union side that has had bigger struggles of their own offensively, Dallas will try to maintain their form at the back while trying to capitalize on Philly’s youthful defense to earn the full three points at home.
