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We’re at the final two weekends of the season here as FC Dallas wraps up their regular season home schedule with a visit from the Seattle Sounders.
FCD was off last weekend as they got a well earned break from play during the international window. Seattle was off on the weekend before playing a midweek draw against the Houston Dynamo.
FC Dallas notes:
Injury update. The only injury is still with Zach Loyd.
Better with Gruezo. Since May 11, FC Dallas has only lost one match in which Carlos Gruezo has started, a 1‐0 defeat to Real Salt Lake in Utah on Aug. 20.
Key player for FCD: Mauro Diaz. With guys like Osvaldo Alonso and Andreas Ivanschitz are out for this one, Diaz should have plenty of space to roam this weekend. As long as Diaz stands out in this one, we should expect to see Dallas walk out of this one with three points.
Biggest question: How can FCD avoid a flat performance?
Sometimes momentum from games is a big deal. Other times you need rest and a reboot. I do worry a bit about how Dallas comes out in this game after being off a week. Thankfully there is motivation for these guys to continue to push for the Supporters Shield despite Colorado taking the lead on Thursday night. I think as long as the team comes out early with a lot of pressing against a Seattle team that could be tired after a midweek game, then we should be fine.
Seattle Notes:
Injury update: OUT: Clint Dempsey (irregular heartbeat), Alvaro Fernandez (hamstring injury) QUESTIONABLE: Andreas Ivanschitz
Suspensions: Osvaldo Alonso (red card against Houston)
Key player for Seattle: Nicolas Lodeiro. There is little debate right now as to who FCD needs to key in on Sunday afternoon. The Argentine attacker has been a huge part in the reboot of this club in 2016. Shut him down, you shut down their attack.
How to watch
Match date/time: Sunday, 10/16, 4:00PM
Venue: Toyota Stadium, Frisco, TX
TV: TXA-21
Online: MLS Live
Weather Forecast: Sunny, 84 degrees
Look out for our game thread, which will go up an hour before kick off.