FRISCO - FC Dallas returns to MLS action on Sunday afternoon as the Seattle Sounders make their lone trip to Toyota Stadium during 2018.
Dallas (0-0-1) has had two weeks to prepare since their season-opening draw against Real Salt Lake. Seattle (0-1-0) is coming off a CCL exit of their own on Wednesday night in Guadalajara, Mexico, falling on aggregate to Chivas, 3-1. The dropped their MLS opener two weeks ago against LAFC with a large number of starters not seeing action in preparation for their Quarterfinal series.
Injury Woes
The Sounders have been hit hard and often by the injury bug in the early weeks of the season. Already without Jordan Morris for the season after an ACL tear, DP playmaker Nicolas Lodeiro did not make the to Mexico with a mid-foot sprain, along with Ozzie Alonso (quad strain) and Victor Rodriguez (knee sprain). In the opening half hour of Wednesday’s match, Seattle also lost forward Will Bruin and Chad Marshall to head injuries, the latter having an issue with swelling around his eye more than concussion-like symptoms.
Key Match-Ups
Santiago Mosquera vs. Kelvin Leerdam - Seattle’s full backs as a whole have been an issue through five competitive matches in 2018, but especially so on the right side of their back line. Jordan McCrary has started all four CCL matches there, while Jordy Delem, a defensive midfielder, started there in their season opener. Kelvin Leerdam, the expected starter at the position, made his first appearance of the year off the bench in Mexico coming back from an ankle sprain. Regardless of who starts there, Sunday could be a big opportunity for newcomer Santiago Mosquera to exploit the left wing in the attack.
Reto Ziegler vs. Clint Dempsey - Normally I’d say on short rest the Sounders would look to rest the 34-year-old Clint Dempsey, but with Morris out, Lodeiro seemingly unlikely to play and now Will Bruin appearing to have some concussion symptoms, the visitors might not have much of a choice than to get 60 minutes from their Texan. Dempsey has three goals and three assists in nine regular season meetings against FCD and the home team will rely on their own veteran in the middle to help shut down Deuce.
Projected XI
Stefan Frei; Nouhou, Kim Kee-Hee, Chad Marshall, Kelvin Leerdam; Cristian Roldan, Gustav Svennson; Magnus Wolff Eikrem, Clint Dempsey, Handwalla Bwana; Lamar Neagle.
Keys to Three Points
Despite the numerous uncertainties surrounding this weekend’s opponent, Dallas have to focus on their own game regardless to get the three points. We’ve seen over the first three competitive matches that FCD is creating lots of chances, but they’ll need to start finding the back of the net to earn results. With two weeks to prepare, a quick start against a team possible on a CCL hangover could be the recipe for the first league win of the young season.
