FC Dallas comes back home this weekend to face off against the New England Revolution. FC Dallas is coming off a 2-2 draw to the Houston Dynamo in the first leg of the Texas Derby. Their unbeaten streak is now at 8 games. The New England Revolution are coming off a 1-0 loss to the LA Galaxy last week.
Schellas Hyndman will have to work some magic with the FC Dallas backline this weekend. Their depth in the backline has been a point of concern for Hyndman and this weekend they look to be thinner than usual. George John will be out due to a groin strain and Jackson Goncalves is back home in Brazil where he will be getting married this weekend. (Really, this couldn’t wait until after the season Jackson?) The good news is that Jair Benitez made his return last week against Houston and he played pretty well in the second half.
I would look for FC Dallas to continue with the 4-4-2 formation this weekend, with Chavez and Castillo playing up top. While neither of these 2 young stars are scoring machines their speed and apparent passion for running have been giving other teams fits. The thing I am most concerned about going into this weekends match is the backline, because on this 8 game unbeaten streak the offense has not always been there, but what has been there is the consistent and at times spectacular backline. Loyd, Ihemelu, John and Jackson when all together are arguably the best backline in the league. But with John and Jackson out this weekend there are bound to be some breakdowns in communication.
FC Dallas look to start off June exactly where they left off in May. They are coming home with an 8 game unbeaten streak and are the hottest team in the MLS right now. Their “dump and chase” style of play as of late has paid off for them, but I will be interested to see how the defense holds up this weekend with some new faces back there.
(image courtesy of Getty Images)