FC Dallas will entertain Seattle Sounders at Toyota Stadium on Sunday looking to secure maximum points from the contest. The home team began their Major League Soccer campaign with a score draw against Real Salt Lake and are now in need to earn their first victory of the season versus one of the heavyweights of American soccer.
Meanwhile, Seattle Sounders started their season with a narrow 1-0 loss at home versus Los Angeles FC. They will now look to bounce back with a victory on Sunday in what promises to be a highly entertaining contest in Dallas.
The recent history of the fixture has seen mixed results with both teams earning two victories each in their last five meetings in the MLS.
Team News
FC Dallas
Óscar Pareja might name an unchanged side for this home clash versus the Sounders. It is expected that Pareja will once again opt for a 4-2-3-1 formation and will be without the services of Kellyn Acosta and Anton Nedyalkov, who are all sidelined due to injuries, for this contest.
Seattle Sounders
Brian Schmetzer’s side are currently plagued with injuries and to make things worse, they will also be without the services of their central defender Tony Alfaro, who is suspended for this contest after being sent off during their last league outing. Kelvin Leerdam, Victor Rodriguez, Jordan Morris and Osvaldo Alonso are all sidelined due to injuries and will miss out on this clash versus FC Dallas. It is expected that Schmetzer will deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation and might hand Chad Marshall a rare start in defence on Sunday.
Predicted Lineups
FC Dallas
Maurer, Cannon, Hedges, Ziegler, Figueroa, Gruezo, Hayes, Barrios, Diaz, Mosquera, Urruti
Seattle Sounders
Frei, Delem, Torres, Marshall, Tolo, Svensson, Roldan, Wingo, Lodeiro, Shipp, Bruin
Key Men
FC Dallas
The performance of the central defensive duo of Matt Hedges and Reto Ziegler will be integral in this match. They need to put in a solid showing at the back if FC Dallas are to bag all three points from this game. Maximiliano Urruti will also be a key asset for the home team and Montreal fans will be hoping that he can find the back of the net when he laces up to face the men from Seattle.
Seattle Sounders
Román Torres will need to keep things tight at the back in the absence of his central defensive partner Tony Alvaro while the performance of Nicolás Lodeiro and Will Bruin will be integral in Seattle’s hopes of securing a result on the day.
Odds:
FC Dallas win: 16/19
Draw: 11/4
Seattle Sounders win: 4/1
