Much time has passed since that statement could be uttered confidently in North Texas. In its fourth match of the 2013 campaign, FCD looks to defeat a Salt Lake side that is historically 0-8-3 in Frisco during the Jason Kreis era.
Recent history maintains shared spoils between both sides, the series ending 1-1-1 in 2012. In brief: FCD lost late at Rio Tinto after mounting a failed comeback (3-2), tied with a Brek Shea penalty in a drab home match (1-1), and won spectacularly late off a David Ferreira drive at Rio Tinto the second time (2-1). The record ended at a stalemate; even the goal differential was nil overall. RSL was one that an inconsistent Dallas side consistently battled with in 2012.
However, RSL will feel the sting of lineup absences more than Dallas will, by far. Alvaro Saborio, Kyle Beckerman, and Nick Rimando are all on national team duty for their respective countries. Saborio has been FCD’s pantomime villain in recent memory, or at least was in 2012. Three of five goals scored against Dallas last season came from his feet.
Coincidentally, in three games this season RSL has only managed three goals – all of which belong to Alvaro Saborio. In their place will be Devin Sandoval and former LA #1 keeper Josh Saunders. Needless to say, if FCD has to thank anyone after a victory tonight, it’s Sepp Blatter (a rare, rare thanks for Sepp) and the FIFA international schedule.
To be fair, Blas Perez and Raul Fernandez will both be absent tonight, each on international duty. Fernandez managed a shutout and Blas an assist in national team action last night. At least things are rosy on that side.
But FCD will not feel RSL’s international weekend sting, despite losing two starters to RSL’s three. Dallas has fit replacements in Eric Hassli and Chris Seitz, both of whom will receive their first starts in 2013 tonight. After all, the absence of Blas was a massive reason to obtain Hassli from Toronto in the offseason. These replacements shouldn’t be seen in a negative light; they are no step down from their counterparts.
Tonight will be telling of a few storylines that need culmination, or at least positive notes to continue upon:
1. Eric Hassli’s acquisition. Can he vie for a starting position with the imminent absences of Blas Perez and even afterwards?
2. Michel the utility man. Could the Brazilian’s redeployment to the center of midfield be the solution to FCD’s midfield possession woes?
3. The 4-4-2. Was the switch to a 4-4-2 only meant with Blas and Kenny in mind? Much of the success of the new formation, with a tighter midfield diamond and unchanged back four, will hinge on chemistry in the center of the pitch and the effectiveness of Cooper and Hassli up top.
4. Second half meltdowns. What psychologically or tactically must be adjusted to help Dallas wind down games in the right manner? This is an issue that has reared its head again, and was dominant throughout the 2012 (look no further than the final home match against Chivas for a microcosm of the situation and season).
Largely, nothing short of a home victory could be reasoned as a fair result tonight.
RSL has pivotal starters absent, a poor history in Frisco, its top striker away, an injured Javier Morales, and a two game winless streak.
Dallas is at home, with two quality strikers to boot, a healthy David Ferreira (who was the catalyst in the 2012 win at RSL), an unbeaten streak in FC Dallas Stadium’s confines, and a side that has yet to be shutout offensively in 2013. No wonder this season Hyndman can tout his highest points total in the first three games of the season since his reign began.
Projected lineups:
Salt Lake: 4-1-2-1-2: Saunders; Schuler, Borchers, Watson-Siriboe, Palmer; Alvarez, Velasquez, Grabavoy, Gil; Findley, Sandoval
Dallas: 4-4-2: Seitz; Loyd, John, Hedges, Benitez; Jackson, Michel, Jacobson, Ferreira; Cooper, Hassli
