VANCOUVER - FC Dallas heads back to the Pacific Northwest this weekend for the first meeting against the Vancouver Whitecaps of 2017. Dallas (6-3-5) is fresh of a last-minute U.S. Open Cup win over Tulsa Roughnecks FC on Wednesday night and looking to rebound from a 2-0 loss to Portland last weekend on the road. Vancouver (6-6-1) has been idle after a 3-1 win over Atlanta two weeks ago, putting them back above the red line and just behind FCD in the standings.
Near Full Throttle
After missing four usual starters last week in Portland, Dallas returns to nearly a full lineup as Kellyn Acosta, Matt Hedges and Maynor Figueroa return from international duty this weekend. Walker Zimmerman remains out as he continues to rehab from a strained MCL suffered on May 28 against Houston. Mauro Diaz has also made his return in recent weeks subbing off the bench in three straight matches, but played a full 90 minutes on Wednesday and could be limited in this weekend’s match on turf. Homegrown Paxton Pomykal is also back to playing after a slight meniscus tear, playing 58 minutes in Wednesday’s Open Cup match.
Key Match-Ups
Matt Hedges vs. Fredy Montero: Back in MLS for the first time in five seasons, Montero leads his new club with five goals and an assist in 13 matches. Hedges returns to league play after international duty with the US Men's National Team, but did not see time in World Cup Qualifiers last weekend. He did play a full 90 in FCD's midweek match.
Maynor Figueroa vs. Cristian Techera: With Christian Bolaños ruled out for Saturday's match, Techera will be leaned upon down the right flank for a Whitecaps team that splits the attacking sides equally. Figueroa is expected to return to his starting role on the left after international duty last week.
Last Time Out
(4-1-4-1): David Ousted; Jordan Harvey, Tim Parker, Kendall Waston, Sheanon Williams; Matias Laba; Christian Bolaños, Tony Tchani, Andrew Jacobson, Cristian Techera; Fredy Montero.
Key to Three Points
If Dallas can capitalize on the return of three starters and ride their momentum wave into the third game in eight days, against an opponent that has been idle for two weeks, they should be able to pull three points out of their lengthy journey to British Columbia.
