FC Dallas aims for consistency against Seattle

Despite a road-heavy schedule, FC Dallas is at home for the only time this month as they host the Seattle Sounders on Saturday in Frisco.

FC Dallas manager Eric Quill's club enters Saturday's showdown with the Sounders, unbeaten in their last three games. Quill is hoping to create a home winning streak this weekend after picking up a win two weeks ago against Sporting Kansas City.

To do so, Quill knows his club has to start the game well and avoid any mental lapses that could allow Seattle to find its footing in the match.

“We want to stay consistent in our habits, which is making sure we start the game fast and aggressive with a lot of belief in ourselves and each other," said Quill. "We can't have lulls where the game slips away and the momentum slips away. There are a lot of varitables that go into consistency and right now we're showing signs of what consistency looks like. I expect the same. I expect them to have hunger in their bellies and the crowd at home behind them."

One way the club has been able to pick up results in their last three games has been the formation changes that Quill and his staff have implemented in recent weeks. FC Dallas started the season using a 4-2-3-1 formation, but has since shifted to a 4-3-3 look that has sparked the club's attack, while keeping the defensive structure in place to pick up results.

In last week's draw in Atlanta, FC Dallas was down a goal at halftime before Quill opted to shift back to a 4-2-3-1 formation in the second half. That sparked his club's ability to tie the game and earn a key road point in the early season.

"Fluidity is important, the fact that we can move to different structures and formations that they believe in, allows for us to be flexible and dynamic. I like what we were able to change in Atlanta and hurt the opponent," explained Quill. "We'll study and figure out what the best way forward is but knowing that we can switch and change things up is something that is nice to have in your back pocket."

Seattle comes into Saturday's game, looking for their first road win of the regular season. Last week in San Diego, Seattle struggled early on and found themselves in a 3-0 hole at halftime.

Quill is hoping he and his staff can expose some of the same weaknesses that San Diego found, while knowing that Seattle may be heavily motivated to push for a result to help begin their usual climb up the standings.

"They're coming off a result that wasn't to their liking. So they're be heavily motivated with where they're sitting at the moment. They have so much quality, (Brian) Schmetzer is an amazing coach, year after year after year, getting those guys ready to climb the table and be ready for playoff time. It's a great challenge for us."

Ferreira and Chu on facing their former clubs

We've discussed it a lot in recent months how FC Dallas and Seattle were big trade partners in the offseason. There was the Paul Arriola deal, though he'll miss Saturday's game with a season-ending injury. Then there was the big one, Jesus Ferreira swapping spots with Leo Chu.

"Yes, it is exciting," said Chu following training on Thursday. "It is going to be really fun to play against them. We've been working hard all week but this game for me is important, facing my old team. Playing them both home and away is going to be very emotional for me."

The other side of the big offseason trade, Jesus Ferreira told the media in Seattle what it means for him to return to Frisco.

“It doesn’t seem real. I have love for Dallas. But we’re going to go there and try to dominate. That’s what we need to flip our season.” Ferreira (via Sounder at Heart)

Ferreira is searching for his first goal with Seattle in league play.