FC Dallas returns home for another early-season test against San Diego FC, a club that continues to make a strong impression in its young MLS existence. Through the opening stretch of the season, San Diego has remained unbeaten, carrying momentum from a solid debut campaign that showed they belong in the Western Conference conversation.
FC Dallas knows firsthand how tricky this matchup can be. The two sides met twice last season, with San Diego claiming wins in both meetings.
Following a 1-0 loss last weekend in LA, FC Dallas is looking to rebound in a big way against one of the few remaining unbeaten clubs.
Let’s dig into San Diego.
Potential Lineup & Tactic Style:
San Diego has a big Concacaf Champions Cup match on Wednesday night against Toluca, so the lineups this weekend coud be drastically different come Saturday.
Projected XI: Dos Santos, Sargent, Duah, McVey, Pilcher; Godoy, Valakari, Soma; Morgan, Ingvertan, Dreyer
- Offensive tendencies - They build up through the back and will want to ware teams down with loads of passes. They’ll constantly overwhelm teams in the final third with overlapping runs and through balls behind the defense.
- Defensive shape - They’re young in the back, but that doesn’t mean they’re inexperienced. Manu Duah brings a lot of physical play out of the center back spot.
Key Player: Andres Dreyer
Had there not been a guy named Lionel Messi in this league a year ago, the Danish attacker would have easily won the MLS MVP award. Expect him to drop deeper in the play this season, assist with the build up more and kill teams in the final third.
Key Matchup: Petar Musa vs San Diego’s CBs
Dallas fans know that Musa is the focal point in the attack. If he is able to get free looks on the ball inside and around the penalty area, things will open up for the club at home in this one.
San Diego is young in the back, but they are also physical, making this a fun matchup for the Croatian before he heads off for international duty later this month.
Availability Report1:
Suspended: none
Out: Alejandro Alvarado Jr. (lower body), Wilson Eisner (lower body), Andrés Reyes (Lower body)
Questionable: none
On Loan: none
International duty: none
Quick Notes:
All-time vs Dallas: San Diego is unbeaten in two all-time meetings against FC Dallas, outscoring them 8-2.
Current form: San Diego is one of the four Western Conference teams that are unbeaten through three weeks, including last week’s win at Sporting KC. They’ve also advanced in the CCC to the Round of 16 after downing Pumas.
Where they're at in the standings: Due to goal differential, San Diego currently sits atop the league standings after three games. San Diego is unbeaten through three games, outscoring their opponents 8-0.
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Three keys for FC Dallas
- Limit the extra passes: San Diego is very good at their combination play through he midfielders and into their attack. They want the extra passes, they want the ball moving. The Dallas defense has to find ways to break up their passing game and avoid getting caught in quick one-on-two scenarios.
- Stretch them out: One aspect of this season that hasn’t been explored enough is how Dallas can stretch teams out with their width along the wings with Bernard Kamungo and Herman Johansson. By stretching out the San Diego defense along the wings, it should open up space inside other zones for Joaquin Valiente and Petar Musa to run into to create chances.
- Pick your moments: While San Diego has yet to give up a goal, they showed last week in KC that they haven’t found that killer instinct yet to close out games. Dallas will want to do a small repeat of their game in LA last weekend, where they bunkered a bit more defensively and then caught LAFC on the break.
1 Note: MLS has an injury report deadline that doesn’t hit until the day before each game. Our scouting reports will include last week's report and will be fully updated the day before with our injury report for FC Dallas.
