FRISCO, Texas - Fourth-place FC Dallas hosts second-place Nashville SC this Saturday, June 3 in Ya'll Means All Night at Toyota Stadium.
Here's everything you need to know before the game.
How to Watch
The match will be available on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Chris Wittyngham and Greg Sutton will call the game in English on Apple TV with Jesus Acosta and Francisco Pinto providing Spanish commentary.
How to Listen
English: If you can't watch the match, you can listen to all the action on iHeartMedia 1190AM and the FC Dallas App. Host Sam Hale will provide pregame and postgame coverage beginning at 7:15PM with broadcasters Owen Newkirk, Steve Davis and Jon Arnold calling the game. Garrett Melcer will provide updates from the sideline.
Spanish: Carlos Alvarado and Rafa Calderon will call the game in Spanish on 1270AM, starting at 7:30PM.
Match Overview
HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORDS
- FCD record: 6-4-5 (23 points - 4th in West)
- NSH record: 8-3-4 (28 points - 2nd in East)
- FCD vs. NSH all-time: 2-3-1 (3 goal scored, 8 goals conceded)
- FCD vs. NSH all-time home: 1-1-1 (2 goal scored, 1 goals conceded)
STORY LINES
- Fresh Faces: Head coach Nico Estévez introduced some new blood to the FC Dallas lineup as the club works through an ever-increasing injury pileup. Homegrowns Nolan Norris and Collin Smith both started in the club's trip to Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday with five senior players on the injury report: Paul Arriola, Paxton Pomykal, Ema Twumasi, Sebastian Lletget and Tsiki Ntsabeleng. It was especially surprising to see Smith inserted into the lineup as the 19-year-old was previously on a season-long loan to USL Championship side Birmingham Legion. Smith's recall will last until this Sunday meaning Smith could be entrusted to start again this Saturday against Nashville.
- Paes vs. Maurer: There's another selection question mark ahead of Estévez for Saturday: between the sticks. Veteran goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer has started the last three games while Maarten Paes recovered from a chest injury suffered on May 17. But Paes made his return to the matchday squad midweek to back up Maurer in Kansas City. With another three days of recovery, there's a chance Paes is healthy enough to start games. Maurer, as usual, has performed admirably in Paes' absence so Estévez has a tough decision on his hands with Nashville coming into town.
- Nashville: Saturday's tussle with Nashville promises to be one of FCD's tougher tests of the regular season. Gary Smith's team is second in the MLS Supporters' Shield standings with 28 points from 15 games. Worryingly, they're also enjoying a seven-game unbeaten streak (joint-longest) stretching back to mid-April. AND, they have Hany Mukhtar in their team. The German forward has nine goals and six assists already this season and is making a strong case for a second MVP award in as many years. Obviously, they key for Dallas is trying to limit Mukhtar's influence on the game. The only problem is, every team has tried that and it's proven easier said than done. But it's not just Mukhtar. Former Dallas winger Fafa Picault proved difficult to stop when FCD and Nashville faced off in the Open Cup last month. Dallas' fullbacks will need to keep a close eye on their former teammate while its center backs and midfielders do their best to keep Mukhtar under wraps.
