It’s the start of the 2015 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs for FC Dallas as they head to the Pacific Northwest to open a Semifinal Round matchup against the Seattle Sounders. FC Dallas earned a bye past the Knockout Round with the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, while Seattle, who finished fourth, beat the LA Galaxy, 3-2, on Wednesday night to punch their ticket to the second round.
DEJA VU
This year’s Semifinal matchup is a rematch of last season’s home-and-home postseason series. In 2014, the Sounders were the top seed in the West and earned home-field advantage in the series while Dallas had to surpass the Vancouver Whitecaps to reach the second round. Seattle advanced to the Conference Finals on the away goals tiebreaker after the two sides played to consecutive draws. This season the roles are reversed with Dallas holding home-field advantage and Seattle advancing through the Knockout Round.
KEY PLAYER FOR SEATTLE
Obafemi Martins – The Oba-Deuce tandem at the top of Seattle’s attack has been lethal in 2015 with the two combining for 25 of the Sounders’ 44 goals. Martins scored the second goal and assisted on the third in a 3-0 Seattle win over Dallas in June, with both teams missing significant pieces of their lineup.
KEY MATCH-UPS
Zach Loyd vs. Clint Dempsey –The Dallas back line is reaching form at the right time, having allowed one goal in the last four games of the regular season. Dempsey scored two goals in the Sounders’ season finale and struck early in the Knockout Round matchup against Seattle.
Mauro Diaz vs. Erik Friberg – In last season’s playoff matchup, Mauro was just coming off of time missed late in the regular season due to injury. This time around, he’s soaring with three goals and three assists in his last six games.
PROJECTED LINEUP
Goalkeeper: Stefan Frei; Defenders: Leonardo Gonzalez, Chad Marshall, Dylan Remick, Tyrone Mears; Midfielders: Andreas Ivanschitz, Erik Friberg, Andy Rose, Nelson Valdez; Forwards: Obafemi Martins, Clint Dempsey.
KEYS TO THREE POINTS
Dallas’ defense has been stout the last four games – something that Seattle didn’t see on Wednesday against the Galaxy. The added motivation for revenge from last season’s playoff matchup and the short turnaround for the Sounders should propel FCD. If the offense can stay hot, Dallas should be able to bring three points home ahead of Leg Two.
