Behind Enemy Lines: Scouting Necaxa 🔎

We all know how the Leagues Cup started on Friday night for FC Dallas. It was a draw that ended up in a shootout loss to Charlotte FC.

Now FC Dallas turns their sights to Liga MX side Necaxa in a game that FC Dallas has to pick up three points if they want to advance to the knockout round of this tournament.

Let’s dive into tomorrow’s opponent to see how they can pick up three points.

Key Player: Facundo Batisa

The Uraguian is the main focal point in the Necaxa attack right now. He hasn’t scored yet in the new season, but last year he scored nine goals between the Clausura and the Apertura.

Key Matchup: Alexis Pena vs Jesus Ferreira

Necaxa has some veterans in their defense, but Pena may be the most decorated of the bunch. He was with Cruz Azul when they won Liga MX in 2021 and when Pachuca won the Concacaf Champions League back in 2017.

Quick Notes:

Two draws and a loss: Necaxa is only three games into their new season. So far, they’ve picked up two draws (0-0 vs Toluca and 1-1 vs Tijuana) and one loss (2-0 to Chivas). The one goal scored was by one of their starting center backs. They also lost 2-0 last Wednesday in a friendly with Spanish side Athletic Club Bilbao.

American ownership connection: Necaxa has a local tie: former Dallas Mavericks forward and DFW resident Shawn Marion is a part owner of the club. He, along with actress Eva Longoria and MLB pitcher Justin Verlander are among the high-profile investors who have a stake in Necaxa1.

Celebrating 100 years: While FC Dallas is old in MLS terms, being one of the originals of the league. Necaxa is turning the big 100 this year. The club was founded way back in August of 1923.

History against FC Dallas: FC Dallas has faced 10 Mexican clubs over 26 matches since 1997. This will be the first meeting between the two clubs since 19972.

Availability Report3:

Suspended: none
Out: none
Questionable: none
International duty: none

Potential Lineup:

So far this season, Necaxa has run a 5-4-1 formation in their games, including their most recent result, a 2-0 loss to Chivas.

Unsain; Rodriguez, Pena, Montes, Formilano, Gonzalez; Mendez, Poggi, Esquiel, Garnica; Batista

Keys To Three Points over Necaxa

1. Play your game - We saw on Friday against Charlotte that this was very much a Concacaf-style event where the refs let you get away with more, or they make ridiculous calls left and right. FC Dallas has to find a way not to get worked up in those moments and control the tempo of this game. Necaxa is only a couple of games into their season, so they’re still adapting to things. FC Dallas needs spread things out on the wings, strike when the moment is right, and for the love of all things, finish the chances they get in front of the goal.
2. Feed Jesus early and often - We saw last Friday how important Jesus Ferreira is to this attack. While he didn’t score on the night, his involvement in both goals was a direct result of teams focusing on him and his ability to open the attack for others to flourish. If FC Dallas has any chance to advance it will be from Ferreira’s doing.
3. Play up to the moment - In a strange way, this game may be a season-defining moment for Estevez and his club. If they get the win and advance, they’ll be able to keep things going in a tournament that they kind of need in order to get guys returning from injuries the proper playing time that they need to get fit again (training sessions won’t do that enough these days). If they don’t get the win, it could start a spiral trajectory downward on the year as they’ll end up with a lot of time off from competitive games before an important stretch of the season.