FC Dallas kicks off the 2015 regular season with a home opener against the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday pres. by AdvoCare.
The Earthquakes are coming off a hard-fought 3-2 preseason win over the LA Galaxy, while FC Dallas will try to rebound from a 2-1 loss to the San Antonio Scorpions.
FC Dallas found its offensive rhythm in the ATX Pro Challenge and scored seven goals in the final four games of the preseason. Dallas went 2-2 during that stretch with a goal difference of +2.
San Jose is in the middle of a three-game preseason win streak capped by its win over LA last weekend. The Earthquakes finished the preseason with a record of 3-2-1. Two of San Jose’s wins were shutouts and finished with a goal difference of +4
Injury Watch
San Jose has a couple injuries to deal with while FC Dallas is relatively completely healthy.
The Earthquakes will be without the services of forwards Mark Sherrod and Steven Lenhart, who are both out with knee arthroscopy.
San Jose could also be without forward Innocent Emeghara (out as of 2/28), defender Clarence Goodson (questionable as of 2/28), and defender Jordan Stewart (out as of 2/28).
Key Matchups
Blas Perez vs Marvell Wynne- Perez has been FC Dallas’ most dangerous scorer and that should remain true in 2015. Wynne is a newcomer to San Jose, but after playing 90 minutes in the Earthquakes win over LA it is clear that the 11-year veteran has found his role on the backline.
Matt Hedges vs Chris Wondolowski- The Earthquakes offense is rolling and Wondolowski is heavily involved in its success. It will be up to Hedges and the rest of the backline to slow down San Jose’s attack.
Key Player for Seattle
Chris Wondolowski- Wondolowski has registered two assists and a goal during San Jose’s winning streak. He is feeling it right now and his play has led to the Earthquakes’ goal difference of +4 during the final three games of the preseason.
Projected Lineup
San Jose has been rolling out a 4-4-2 with a midfielder playing forward for most of the preseason.
Goalkeeper: David Bingham; Backline: Marvell Wynne, Victor Bernardez, Paulo Renato, Shaun Francis; Midfield: Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi , JJ Koval , Matias Perez Garcia , Sanna Nyassi: Forwards: Chris Wondolowski , (M) Shea Salinas.
Keys to three points
The teams finished headed in very different directions at the end of last year but have both had strong preseasons.
Dallas’ energy level should be very high from the onset as Saturday’s matchup is the regular season home opener. FCD has lost just one home opener at Toyota Stadium in nine previous games.
However, if Dallas wants to open 2015 with a win, it will need to slow down Wondolowski and the red-hot San Jose offense.
Offensively, FC Dallas will have plenty of options: the preseason success of Ryan Hollingshead should alleviate some of the defensive attention on Blas Perez and Fabian Castillo.
The Earthquakes have spent the majority of the past three preseason games in front of teams, so ultimately the game will come down to FC Dallas ability to defend against San Jose’s attack and its offensive patience.
