The Impact plays FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium, this Saturday at 9pm EDT (TVA Sports 2 [pregame show at 8:30pm] & CJAD 800 AM). Here are 10 things to know about the opponent before this second road game of the season.
Context
After a fine start against Philadelphia, FC Dallas found itself in trouble last weekend, losing 5-0 at its Texas rival, the Houston Dynamo. Four goals in a mere 21 first-half minutes had the game wrapped up well before Will Bruin added insult to injury in the 85th minute. Dallas head coach Oscar Pareja had given a second straight start to all 11 players who had defeated the Union, 2-0, the previous weekend.
Current form (including 2015 Regular Season and MLS Cup Playoffs)
L-W-L-T-W-L
Head coach
Oscar Pareja (35-23-12 as FC Dallas head coach, 60-53-25 all-time) has been FC Dallas head coach since Jan. 10, 2014. He was a finalist to the 2015 MLS Coach of the Year award after leading the club to second place in the Supporters’ Shield standings and to the Western Conference Final, where eventual MLS Cup champions Portland Timbers prevailed. Pareja became a head coach in 2012, taking over Gary Smith at Colorado Rapids. Whether in Colorado or in Dallas, Pareja has promoted several young players to the first team, turning them into groups that can hit the opposition at full speed.
Current top scorer
Maximiliano Urruti and Fabian Castillo (1)
Players to watch
1. Fabian Castillo (#11) – Few players in MLS can make the spectacular effective like this speedy winger does.
2. Mauro Diaz (#10) – With just one through ball, Diaz can terrorize opposing defences.
3. Matt Hedges (#24) – The fulcrum of Dallas’ defence got the third-most votes for Defender of the Year in 2015, behind Kendall Waston and our own Laurent Ciman.
Team profile
FC Dallas relies on a rather deep defensive line to then go forward quickly in the attacking phase. Upon recovering the ball, the Texans don’t wait up and swiftly look for an option – mostly down the middle –, hoping to release a forward or a winger into one-on-one situations where their speed and trickery are crucial. FC Dallas also thrives on set pieces – although their 2014 heroics in such circumstances certainly were exceptional. But this is a team that struggles when defending overloads on the flanks, as well as crosses. Its left side was a target last Saturday, as three of the Dynamo’s five goals came from that side – including two goals on crosses.
Tactical formation
Oscar Pareja’s preferred formation in Dallas is 4-2-3-1. Lineup v. Houston (March 12): Gonzalez; Harris, Hedges, Zimmerman, Figueroa; Gruezo, Acosta; Barrios, Diaz, Castillo; Urruti.
Against the Impact last season
The Impact won the only game between the two sides last season. On May 23, FC Dallas reigned supreme atop the MLS standings, but the Impact still triumphed at Stade Saputo, 2-1. Ignacio Piatti (on a penalty kick) and Jack McInerney scored for the winners, while defender Matt Hedges struck for Dallas.
Injuries (as of March 16)
M Alex Zendejas (osteitis pubis)
F Coy Craft (meniscus surgery recovery – back in training)
Next games
D.C. United v. FC Dallas (MLS, March 26)
FC Dallas v. Columbus Crew SC (MLS, April 2)
FC Dallas v. San Jose Earthquakes (MLS, April 9)
