FRISCO, Texas - FC Dallas is back at Toyota Stadium to take on Real Salt Lake this Saturday, April 15 at 7:30PM.
Here's everything you need to know before the game.
How to Watch
Saturday's match will be available on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, along with all MLS matches all season long.
The match kicks off at 7:39PM with Mark Rogondino and Heath Pearce on the call for the English language broadcast and Jesús Acosta and Ivan Kasanzew providing commentary on the Spanish language broadcast.
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 7PM with FCD broadcasters Owen Newkirk and Steve Davis calling the game alongside former FCD/Dallas Burn goalkeeper Mark Dodd.
Spanish: Carlos Alvarado and Rafa Calderon will call the game in Spanish on 1270AM, starting at 7:30PM.
Match Overview
HEAD-TO-HEAD
- FCD record: 3-2-2 (11 points - 4th in West)
- RSL record: 2-4-0 (6 points - 10th in West)
- FCD vs. RSL all-time: 21-14-11 (67 goal scored, 54 goals conceded)
- FCD vs. RSL home: 12-2-6 (35 goal scored, 18 goals conceded)
STORY LINES
Building on Miami Milestones
Did you hear that? That was the collective sigh of relief when the final whistle blew in FCD's 1-0 win over Inter Miami Saturday night. It was a big win that included a very nervy final 20 minutes. More importantly, it was FCD's shutout of the season AND first road win of the season. The last time Dallas achieved either of those milestones was also in the same game last year: September 3 against Minnesota United (3-0). Dallas had previously seen good defensive performances spoiled by conceding late goals (Portland on April 1 and LAFC on March 25 come to mind), so rewarding themselves with a clean sheet and three points was important. Now, the key is building upon those milestones as the club enters the busy portion of the calendar. First up is a home stand against Pabo Mastroeni's Real Salt Lake.
Strike Partnership
Nico Estévez shifted from his prototypical 4-3-3 formation to a two-striker system against Miami, giving Jesús Jiménez his first FCD start. We'd seen the Jesús^2 Strike Partnership (Jiménez + Ferreira) before in late game situations but this was the best example of it yet. Jiménez and Ferreira fed off each other with one dropping deeper to link play while the other pushed higher to bother Miami's backline. And it worked. Dallas lodged season highs for shots on target (8) and Expected Goals created (2.0). Crucially, the duo combined for the only goal when Geovane Jesus crossed for Jiménez before it fell for Ferreira to slam home. That goal really illustrated the benefit of having an extra runner in the box in crossing situations, which FCD may create more of if Geovane Jesus continues to get starts at right back. Now, the question is, does Estévez revert back to 4-3-3 at home? Or does he keep Jiménez in the lineup and hope for an encore performance?
Real Salt Lake
Saturday's opponent is 10th-place Real Salt Lake who's coming off a big 3-1 win over Charlotte FC. But it hasn't been the start that head coach Pablo Mastroeni envisioned for his team. After winning their season-opener on the road, RSL underwent a four-game losing streak where they were outscored by their opponents 12-1. So, yeah, that comeback win over Charlotte must've been huge for morale. It also underscores that Dallas can't overlook Salt Lake by any means. Despite having a 12-2-6 all-time home record against RSL, Dallas' last win in the series at Toyota Stadium came back in 2017. Dallas will have to be at their best once again to topple a resurgent RSL side that knows how to take away points from Toyota Stadium. And they'll have to do it without winger Alan Velasco, who's been ruled out of Saturday's game with a knee sprain.
