FRISCO, Texas - FC Dallas returns to Toyota Stadium to take on Sporting Kansas City this Saturday, March 18 at 7:30PM CT.
Here's everything you need to know about the match.
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 game kicks off at 7:39PM with Mark Rogondino and Heath Pierece on the English language broadcast and Raul Guzman and Sonny Guaddarama providing Spanish commentary.
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. FCD broadcasters Steve Davis and Jon Arnold will be on the call with Garrett Melcer providing 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
- FCD record: 1-1-1 (4 points - 6th in West)
- SKC record: 0-1-2 (2 points - 10th in West)
- FCD vs. SKC all-time: 29-27-14 (112 goal scored, 103 goals conceded)
- FCD vs. SKC all-time home: 9-5-4 (33 goal scored, 25 goals conceded)
STORY LINES
Point on the Road
FC Dallas looks to get back to winning ways at Toyota Stadium after earning a point on the road last week with a 1-1 draw against the Vancouver Whitecaps. It looked like Dallas may earn its first win at BC Place for the first time in five years when Sebastien Ibeagha headed his team into the lead within five minutes. But it wasn't to be. An unlucky own goal from Paul Arriola just before halftime meant FCD had to settle for just one point from its first road venture of 2023. Now back at Toyota Stadium, Nico Estévez's team is looking for three points and back-to-back home wins.
Center Back Combinations
We're only three games in but Nico Estévez has used three different starting center back duos. José Martinez partnered with Sebastien Ibeagha and Nkosi Tafari in the first games before it was Ibeagha and Tafari in central defense against Vancouver. We've also seen FCD shift to a 3-4-3 formation to utilize all three center backs in late game situations - whether it's in search of a goal (where the wingbacks would push higher) or to preserve a win (wingbacks sitting deeper). The flexibility along the backline allows Estévez to tailor his center back pairing to specific situations and keeps the opponent guessing. Who'll be starting in central defense against SKC? Only Nico knows.
SKC
Dallas faces a Sporting Kansas City team that's still searching for its first win three games into the new season. What's more, SKC is still searching for its first \goal. \It's not for a lack of trying: Peter Vermes' team leads MLS in total shots (58) and shots on target (26) but they still haven't found the back of the net. It's a surprising stat, and many would say they're due to break that duct soon. On the other side, Dallas may have a new goal-scoring weapon at its disposal. Forward Jesús Jiménez (who was signed from Toronto FC just before the season kicked off) is finally available for selection after receiving his P1 Visa. Still, it's possible Estévez gives the Spaniard another week of preparation since he went 10 days without training while he completed the Visa process in Canada.
