KNOW YOUR ENEMY: Seattle Sounders FC | 9.16.17
(by Jean Pierre Guzhnay fcdallas.com)
FC Dallas will host defending MLS Cup champion Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday night for the first meeting this season. Dallas (9-8-10, 37 pts) returns to home action after a 3-0 defeat in Atlanta on Sunday and winless in their last eight matches. Seattle (8-1-5, 43 pts) sits in second place after taking their unbeaten record to 12 games with a 1-1 draw against the LA Galaxy last week, with their last loss coming on June 17th.
Budding Foes
After three consecutive MLS Cup Playoff meetings, FC Dallas and Seattle hold bad blood despite their geographic disposition. FCD mounted a comeback for the ages two years ago to advance, while the Sounders dispelled Dallas en route to their first MLS Cup last season. Add into the mix the injury to Mauro Diaz in the last regular season meeting between the two, sparks are sure to fly as the teams meet twice down the stretch.
Key Match-Ups
Maxi Urruti vs. Chad Marshall - The Sounders' center back has been a regular in the backline playing 23 games this season seeing 90-minutes of action in each game of Seattle's unbeaten streak. The Argentine striker has been a crucial player in Dallas' attack with 12 goals this season and will look to rejuvenate himself against a sturdy defense anchored by a well-in-form Marshall.
Clint Dempsey vs. Jesse Gonzalez - The USMNT veteran has eleven goals to his name and has taken 20 shots at goal over the last five games. Gonzalez is coming off a season-best eight saves last week despite the loss in Atlanta. Against Seattle and Dempsey, Gonzalez’s key saves can give Dallas the momentum and motivation it needs to take away a much-needed victory at home.
Last Time Out
(4-2-3-1): Stefan Frei: Kelvin Leerdam, Roman Torres, Chad Marshall, Oniel Fisher; Osvaldo Alonso, Cristian Roldan; Nicolas Lodeiro, Clint Dempsey, Victor Rodriguez; Jordan Morris.
Keys to Three Points
Against a potent attacking side, Dallas’ defense will have to be on their toes to prevent early goals after conceding the first goal in eight straight games. A rivalry matchup against Seattle, who they have seen in three straight postseasons and eliminated them in the Western Conference Semifinals last year, should give Dallas the needed motivation to find a victory this coming Saturday.
https://www.fcdallas.com/post/2017/09/13/know-your-enemy-seattle-sounders-fc-91617
DALvSEA 101: Everything you need to know when the Seattle Sounders visit FC Dallas
(by Ryan Krasnoo soundersfc.com)
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 5 p.m. PT at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
WHERE TO WATCH: The game will be televised on JOEtv and in Spanish on Univision-Seattle.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The game will air on KIRO Radio 97.3 FM and in Spanish on El Rey 1360 AM.
2017 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Sounders: 11-7-10 (43 points, 2nd West); FCD: 9-8-10 (37 points, 6th West).
FORM GUIDE: Sounders: WWDDD; FC Dallas: LDLDL
ALL-TIME HISTORY: The Sounders are 10-5-5 all time against FC Dallas, including a 3-4-4 mark on the road.
RECENT MEETINGS: The fourth-seeded Sounders knocked off top-seeded FC Dallas in the Western Conference semifinals last season, 4-2 on aggregate. Seattle scored three goals in eight minutes in the first leg at CenturyLink Field before holding on in the second leg in Dallas.
UNBEATEN RUN: The Sounders head to Texas looking to extend their club-record unbeaten streak to 13 matches. Seattle is outscoring its opponents 23-11 and has not lost since June 17.
MORRIS SIDELINED: Forward Jordan Morris exited early against the LA Galaxy on Sunday when he pulled up with a strained hamstring. There’s no timetable yet for his return.
SEPTEMBER SUCCESS: The Sounders have a chance to make September their most successful month as an MLS club. If Seattle wins its remaining three matches this month against FC Dallas, Real Salt Lake and the Vancouver Whitecaps, it would push its all-time September points-per-game average to 1.92, surpassing April and August’s 1.86.
NEAGLE TO THE RESCUE: Lamar Neagle entered Sunday’s home match against the Galaxy in the 83rd minute with the Sounders trailing 1-0. Less than two minutes later, his one-timed half-volley equalized and helped keep the Sounders’ unbeaten streak alive. It was his first goal for the Rave Green since rejoining the club from D.C. United on Aug. 7.
TORRES SUSPENDED, NOUHOU RETURNS: Defender Roman Torres will serve a one-match suspension on Saturday for his red card near the end of the Galaxy game. Left back Nouhou, who missed last weekend while serving his own one-match suspension for a red card against the Portland Timbers on Aug. 27, will be available for selection in Dallas.
DALLAS DIVE: FC Dallas are winless in their last eight MLS matches and have not won since July 22. They’ve been outscored 19-7 and have fallen to the sixth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, just one point ahead of the San Jose Earthquakes.
EARLY CONCESSIONS: FC Dallas have conceded first in eight of its last nine matches, with the ninth a scoreless draw. FCD is 2-8-4 on the season when conceding first compared to 6-0-3 if it goes in front first.
MISSING MAXI: Forward Maxi Urruti leads FCD with 12 goals this season, but he has only scored once in the last nine games. He had found the back of the net in four straight matches before then.
https://www.soundersfc.com/post/2017/09/12/dalvsea-101-everything-you-need-know-when-seattle-sounders-visit-fc-dallas
No comments:
Post a Comment