What to Watch For: FC Dallas vs. Nashville SC

Opening week delivered the points for FC Dallas. Now week two is all about confirmation.

FC Dallas is back at Toyota Stadium this weekend to face a very tough and dangerous Nashville SC side that has already shown this year that they have the attacking sharpness to be a contender. If Dallas wants to establish early momentum in 2026, this is the kind of match that shows if this team is actually making strides or not.

Let’s discuss the items we’ll be looking out for this weekend.

Containing Nashville’s attack

For the last several seasons, Nashville always would run their attack through Hany Mukhtar. It worked for the most part, as he earned a MLS MVP award in 2022.

But he’s no longer the main focal point. Sam Surridge lives in the penalty area and punishes teams who make little mistakes. Cristian Espinoza stretches the field and attacks the space from the wings.

This weekend Dallas has to find ways to:

• Close passing lanes into Mukhtar
• Limit the service into the penalty box for Surridge
• Avoid leaving fullbacks isolated in transition
• Avoid the sloppy passes out of the back in the build up play

At home, Dallas should dictate the tempo in this one, but that doesn’t mean losing the defensive balance. One sloppy turnover in the defensive third and Nashville will make you pay. Just ask New England, who had four goals hung on them in the opener last week.

Pick the right moments to counter

Even at home, this isn’t a match to force slow possession if Nashville’s shape is set. The counter attack has to be decisive and at the right time:

• Win second balls in the midfield
• Play forward quickly with Bernard Kamungo and Herman Johansson on the wings
• Find Petar Musa and Logan Farrington in space

“Nashville is a great team coming in off a four goal performance. We got to really dial in our tactics and make sure we’re front footed but also organized on every part of the field. You can’t be disorganized against a team like this, they’ll punish you.” - FC Dallas head coach Eric Quill on Nashville

If Dallas hesitates after turnovers, Nashville’s defensive block will swallow that space up quickly. Keep watch over those turnovers and seconds after winning a ball in the midfield. They could decide more of this match and we realize.

Feed Musa and Farrington in Dangerous Areas

We saw in the season opener what happens when you feed Musa in good areas in and around the penalty box. He scores. And he scores a lot.

And so does Farrington.

Now the question is whether or not this can be consistent in 2026. Dallas needs to continue to do the following:

• Earlier crosses into the penalty area instead of recycled possession
• More passes to Musa’s feet in the penalty area
• Take the chances that they get and not pass out of the penalty area

Going against a team like Nashville, you won’t get a ton of clean looks on goal. You might get a handful in a match like this. Those few chances need to be high quality, too. Musa and Farrington have to stay active in and around the penalty area, as Nashville’s defense will eventually crack.

Joaquin Valiente Debut Watch

If Joaquin Valiente makes his debut this weekend, this quickly becomes a key subplot to this game.

Does he help the progression forward through the midfield?

Does he add that missing bite to the attack?

Does he connect the play faster in transition?

Debuting at home is always ideal. While he’s not a Designated Player that we all wanted to see added this winter, he could help raise the level of play.

For me, this one could feel a lot like another big debut at home against Nashville - Alan Velasco. Get him the ball early when he is on the field, let the crowd take notice and raise the energy of the players.

Continue establishing Fortress Frisco

“It was great the other night from our fans. That’s the x-factor, right? That’s your 12th man. We’re trying to get them out of their seats early with a momentum play or goal. We want them to be into it and enjoy what they’re seeing. They give us adrenaline. They’re our teammate.” Quill on the fans at Toyota Stadium

Back-to-back home matches to open the season is a big opportunity.

Week one gave optimism, with a side of questions. Week two is about building on that optimism and answering those questions.

If Dallas can protect the home field again, the early-season narrative shifts from “interesting project’ to “potential Western Conference threat.”

Yes, it is only February. But stacking points now makes September and October a whole lot less stressful.

The Bottom Line

If Dallas can:

• Contain Mukhtar, Surridge and Espinoza
• Transition quickly
• Feed Musa inside the penalty area in dangerous spots
• Integrate Valiente smoothly

Then suddenly the season opener looks like the start of something real instead of a one-off for Quill.

A game like this is all about proof.

Let’s see if this team can wrap up six points at home and give the glimpses of a potential content - or if they’re still going to be a work in progress.