HARRISON, NJ - FC Dallas returns to MLS action squaring off against the New York Red Bulls tonight, looking for a fifth straight league win and their first win since 2006 in New Jersey. Let’s dig into Oscar Pareja’s lineup looking to do just that.
The 3-5-2
After experimenting during preseason and playing once with it during CCL play, FCD will break out the 3-5-2 for the first time in MLS this season. Maynor Figueroa will slide more centrally next to Matt Hedges and Reto Ziegler, while Reggie Cannon and Ryan Hollingshead burn up and down the flanks of the field. Kellyn Acosta, Carlos Gruezo and Jacori Hayes will patrol the middle, while leading scorers Maxi Urruti and Roland Lamah are up top.
Best of the Best
The Dallas defense is tied for the fewest goals allowed in 2018 (14) with Sporting KC, while New York is second in MLS with 30 goals and first in assists with 41 on the year.
The Red Bulls’ back line has only allowed four goals at Red Bull Arena this season (5-1-1 record) and the two sides have played to draws in two of their last three meetings overall. All-time, the series is deadlocked at 63 goals apiece dating back to 1996.
Fresh Faces
Just days after returning to full training, Kris Reaves returns to a matchday roster for Dallas after undergoing sports hernia surgery on May 10. It is the sixth time the rookie Homegrown has made the 18-man roster, but he is still awaiting his professional debut.
We will also see Ema Twumasi make his first MLS roster appearance after making the 18 in both of the club’s recent Open Cup matches. The 2018 first-round pick has spent time on loan with OKC Energy FC and with the international roster spots freed by Michael Barrios’ green card in late April and the transfer of Anton Nedyalkov this morning, it is the first time Twumasi has been added to the MLS roster.
