FRISCO - For the first time in 2018, FC Dallas will take the field at Toyota Stadium in a preseason friendly vs Santa Tecla FC of El Salvador.
Following a quick weekend trip to Tennessee for a preseason match vs. Chattanooga FC that resulted in a 1-1 draw, FCD is now looking to get into a rhythm to prepare for their upcoming CONCACAF Champions League series at the end of the month vs. Tauro FC.Wednesday's opponent is also preparing for the 2018 edition of CCL and are currently unbeaten in El Salvador's Primera Division with three wins and two draws.
Head coach Oscar Parejasaysfacing a fellow CCL team plays to his advantage as a test before the tournament begins.
"I see a lot of things in common between Santa Tecla that we are going to see in CCL versus Tauro FC," said Pareja. "The friendlies help a lot because it lets us know where we are in preparation of the season and it gives us some important parameters to keep progressing with our plan for the season."
After building team chemistry in the past few weeks of training camp and preseason matches, the upcoming matches are crucial for FCD players to get accustomed to each other with so many new faces. The backline will have three potential new starters and many other players are pushing for minutes in the midfield and attack.
Furthermore, Pareja went on to describe the importance of FC Dallas embracing their identity for the 2018 season.
"The most important thing is that we believe that we are good. That we are that FC Dallas team from 2016. That we are that best team, that same team we had from the start of the season of 2017 to July, that team that was placed as one of the top three of the league," he emphasized. "We can’t doubt ourselves and lose our identity of who we are because we are FC Dallas."
FC Dallas
International Duty: None
Injury Report: Francis Atuahene (fractured ulna)
Last Starting XI: (4-2-3-1) Jimmy Maurer; Reggie Cannon, Maynor Figueroa, Matt Hedges, Anton Nedyalkov;Kellyn Acosta, Victor Ulloa;Michael Barrios, Mauro Diaz, Paxton Pomykal; Maxi Urruti
Santa Tecla FC
International Duty: None
Injury Report: NA
Last Starting XI:
All-Time Series
This will be the first time the two clubs face each other in any play.
Santa Tecla Roster
| Number | Name | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joel Almeida | GK |
| 3 | Roberto Dominguez | D |
| 4 | Juan Barahona | D |
| 5 | Alexander Mendoza | D |
| 6 | Bryan Tamacas | D |
| 7 | Harold Alas | F |
| 10 | Gerson Mayen | M |
| 11 | Gilberto Baires | M |
| 14 | Liber Quinonez | F |
| 16 | Marlon Cornejo | M |
| 19 | William Canales | M |
| 20 | Andres Flores Jaco | D |
| 21 | Wilma Torrs | M |
| 22 | Ricardo Ferreira | F |
| 23 | Yosimar Quinones | D |
| 24 | Hector Carbaja | GK |
| 31 | Kevin Reyes | M |
| 43 | Fernando Quintanilla | M |
