Eight injured starters and six ejections later, miraculously, FC Dallas finds itself upon the precipice of the playoffs. Despite a constant lack of consistent health and consistent appearances, the team has managed to bide its time, string a few key results together in the buildup to tonight’s match against Vancouver.
Win, and they might be in. Lose, and well, all will be lost. Hyndman and his side will fight tonight solely for the promise and possibility of the playoffs, without any guarantees or assurances of safety should they emerge victorious.
Both sides have taken opposite paths all season long. Vancouver’s best form was early in the season, stringing together a 5-3-2 record in its first ten matches prior to going 2-7-1 in its last ten. The last ten matches in FC Dallas’ tumultuous 2012 campaign have been its most important, given its abysmal beginning. Ironically, FCD amassed a 5-3-2 record in its last ten games, propelling it towards a last-gasp collision with their conference rivals to the far, far north.
A major part of tonight’s clash will be the combination of Ferreira, Shea, and Blas Perez. The match against Seattle, a whole fortnight ago, was the first time all three set foot on the same field in a hooped shirt the entire year. Sadly, a three-point finish against Seattle did not follow, despite a season-high twenty-four shots lashed at Michael Gspurning’s goal. At least it can be said that offensive production has potential to reach such heights tonight.
Vancouver, to keep it short, is still in a major rut. Despite their dismal form they still have playoff hopes, and moreover an easier end of the season schedule than FCD. As of now, Dallas still must face San Jose, Seattle, and Chivas away, barring one final home match against the latter. Vancouver has a game in hand, plus four home matches, two of which are against lowly Chivas USA and lowlier Portland. These are odds that do not instill confidence.
However, Dallas’ best performance, arguably, of the 2012 season was away to Vancouver weeks ago, which ended in a subtly commanding 2-0 victory. Dallas will have other reasons to favor their chances as Fabian Castillo is expected to return after sitting the Sounders match on the injured reserve. To that end, four of FCD’s best attacking players, not including Jackson, will feature tonight.
Expect some bombing forward, but even more expect Dallas to nurture the lead should it come early. This is simply a game that cannot be wasted.
(image courtesy of Getty Images)
