There will be a lot of eyes on Sandy, Utah on Saturday night as Javier Morales returns to his former home when FC Dallas takes on Real Salt Lake at 8:30 p.m. (TXA 21, FCDallas.com). Dallas (4-0-3) is coming off a two-game homestand and a 2-2 draw against the Portland Timbers on Saturday night to remain the last unbeaten in MLS for another week. Salt Lake (2-5-2) have slid back with two straight losses after posting their only two wins on the year in consecutive weeks under new coach Mike Petke.
The Maestro Returns
While #RSLvFCD might not be a heavyweight bout on the field this weekend, it’s a very important one to a fan base and a former player. Javier Morales will make his return to Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday night after 10 seasons with RSL. Morales is the club’s all-time leader in assists (81), is second all-time in goals (49) and candidly said this week it could be his last trip to the RioT as a player.
Key Match-Ups
Maxi Urrutivs. Justin Schmidt: With center back Chris Schuler handed a one-game suspension from the MLS Disciplinary Committee this week, the 2017 SuperDraft Schmidt will likely start alongside Chris Wingert. He’ll have to help stop FCD’s leading scorer, fresh off his fourth of the year.
Carlos Gruezo vs. Albert Rusnak: The newcomer who tookMorales’ spot in the RSL attacking midfield and jersey number will draw the short straw against Dallas’ midfield stalwart in Gruezo. Rusnak has three assists on RSL’s nine total goals this season.
Last Time Out
(4-3-3): Matt Van Oekel; Demar Phillips, Chris Schuler (suspended vs. FCD), Chris Wingert, Danilo Acosta; Albert Rusnak, Sunny, Luke Mulholland; Joao Plata, Yura Movsisyan, Brooks Lennon.
Key to Three Points
After a slow start in the first half against Portland last week, Dallas can’t afford another lapse early against a Salt Lake side that will attack early looking to overpower opponents at altitude. The defense will need to return to form after allowing multiple goals for the first time in MLS play this season, while the offense will need to take advantage of an RSL side that has allowed more than three goals this year in all-but-one of the 15-minute intervals in a 90-minute game.