FRISCO - FC Dallas returns home for the first time since July 4th as the Vancouver Whitecaps visit Toyota Stadium for the lone time in 2017. Dallas (9-3-7, 34 pos) are winners of three straight matches and sit atop the Western Conference after a 2-1 win last week in Montreal to kick off the second half. Vancouver (8-8-3) had a two-match win streak broken in a 2-1 loss at home to Portland last Sunday. The two sides played to a 1-1 draw in late June north of the border.
Texas Troubles
In seven trips to Toyota Stadium since joining MLS, Vancouver have yet to earn a point in Frisco with seven straight losses. FCD has outscored the ‘Caps 14-2 over those seven matches, including a 2-0 win in late July last season.
Key Match-Ups
Matt Hedges vs. Kendall Waston - Both defenders will return to club duty after representing their respective nations at the Gold Cup. Hedges will bolster a Dallas back line that will be without Maynor Figueroa and Hernan Grana, while Waston will look to help a Vancouver defense that sees a red-hot FCD home offense.
Roland Lamah vs. Jake Nerwinski - The FCD winger has seven goals in his last three matches at Toyota Stadium and is coming off his second assist of the season last weekend in Montreal. Nerwinski has started the last eight matches for the Whitecaps at right back and will try to shut down Lamah’s home streak.
Last Time Out
(4-2-3-1): David Ousted; Jordan Harvey, Tim Parker, Andrew Jacobson, Jakob Nerwinski; Tony Tchani, Matias Laba; Christian Bolanos, Nicolas Mezquida, Cristian Techera; Fredy Montero.
Keys to Three Points
Dallas has returned Toyota Stadium to its Fortress status with three straight wins and 13 goals scored. If the offense can maintain form with Cristian Colman adding his name to the offensive output, while Kellyn Acosta, Matt Hedges and Jesse Gonzalez can anchor the defensive face, Vancouver can leave Texas 0-for-8 all-time.