Matchday 25: FC Dallas vs Seattle Sounders

It's out of the frying pan and into the fire tonight, literally and figuratively, as the Seattle Sounders come to Frisco tonight sitting just a point behind FCD in a crucial matchup that could decide seeding in the Western Conference playoffs. 

Game notes

Hot, Hot, Hot The heat is back tonight, it should be near 100 at kickoff though an 8PM start time means the players won't be playing in direct sunlight which is, of course, a good thing. It seems in just about every game like this, it stays close for 60 minutes and Dallas eventually wears the other team down.

Castillo Returns FCD wonderkid Fabian Castillo is back for his first MLS game in a couple of months tonight. Will he start or come off the bench we don't know but expect the kid to have a big impact on the game. 

Center Back Question Whether or not George John goes to Blackburn, we know he for sure won't play tonight as the Greek will be serving a red card suspension from last Saturday. Expect either Zach Loyd or Bobby Warshaw to replace him at the back. 

Read on

Keys to the Game

Conserve Energy As I talked about earlier, we've seen time and again teams crumble after an hour in this heat. No one knows better how to play in these conditions than FC Dallas so it should be a huge advantage tonight.

Feed the Beast Brek Shea did it to Seattle up in the Pacific Northwest and I expect him to terrorize their defense again tonight. I'm not sure what it is but he seems to love playing Seattle. 

Referee

Another rookie ref who has given out 3 red cards in 5 games this season.

Referee: David GANTAR
MLS Career Stats: 7 games, 3.6 Y/g, 3 R
MLS 2011: 5 games, 3.8 Y/g, 3 R
Assistant Referees: Philippe BRIERE and Anthony VASOLI
Fourth Official: Tyler PLOEGER

Prediction

I think Dallas and the heat are too much for Seattle tonight. It's the first MLS game at home for Dallas in awhile and I think they'll come out energized by what should be a good crowd. Give me a first half goal from Shea and another one on a tired Seattle team by Castillo late

2-0 FC Dallas

LINEUPS: 

FC Dallas: Kevin Hartman, Zach Loyd, Jackson Goncalves, Ugo Ihemelu, Jair Benitez, Marvin Chavez, Daniel Cruz, Daniel Hernandez, Ricardo Villar, Brek Shea and Maicon Santos

Bench: Chris Seitz, Fabian Castillo, Bruno Guarda, Jeremy Hall, Andrew Jacobson, Jack Stewart, and Bobby Warshaw

Seattle: Kasey Keller, Zach Scott, Jeff Parke, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Leo Gonzalez, Mauro Rosales, Osvaldo Alonso, Erik Friberg, Lamar Neagle, Mike Fucito, and Fredy Montero

Bench: Terry Boss, Brad, Alvaro Fernandez, Roger Levesque, Pat Noonan, James Riley, and Tyson Wahl