FC Dallas vs SMU: What to Watch

Tonight, FC Dallas heads to the hilltop to take on SMU in their next to last Dallas friendly before the start of the season on March 11. The game starts at 7:30 on Westcott Field and admission is free, so I expect all you Dallasites south of 635 that whinge about heading up to Frisco to be out there tonight.

The match this evening will probably the be the first time that you really see FC Dallas turn up the heat a little bit as this will be the first time Dallas isn't playing in the frigid conditions of last weekend or the horrible pitches down in Cancun. With less than a month until the start of the season, tonight is a big one as they march towards opening day.

A few things to watch tonight:

Fabian Castillo He's had a good amount of success in the games I've seen so far this pre-season and should start at right midfield tonight. Watch how he and Brek Shea alternate sides on the wings throughout the first half and also watch if he is hustling back on defense. It's something he will have to do in order to hold down the right midfield spot.

Debutants Could tonight be the first action of the pre-season for Ugo Ihemelu and Daniel Hernandez? Dallas desperately needs them on the field to gel with the rest of the squad before the season starts and tonight could be their first action though it may come in limited second half minutes.

Blas Perez I encourage you to spend 5 or 10 minutes tonight watching Blas Perez work up top. Watch his runs, how he hassles the center backs and just his overall play. I think you'll come away impressed, though the Panamanian international is still far from full fitness.