Something has to change for FC Dallas this weekend.
FC Dallas heads to New York carrying a four-game winless streak and a road history that hasn’t exactly inspired confidence - the last win against the Red Bulls in their building came back in 2006. Yeah…that’s no typo. They also haven’t beaten the Red Bulls since the 2012 season.
Meanwhile, the Red Bulls are wobbling a bit themselves, coming off back-to-back losses (one in league play, one in USOC play).
So here we are: two teams looking for a reset, one result away from flipping their narrative.
Here’s what we’ll be watching for tomorrow night.
The New York Problem
I feel like this one is a repeat of last week. But, Dallas hasn’t won in New York in nearly two decades.
Not seeing the Red Bulls every year has a large part to do with that. But it is also a mix of environment, style and how the Red Bulls tend to drag games into chaos at home.
For Dallas, this one is all about:
- Handling the press without panicking
- Avoiding giveaways in dangerous areas
- Staying composed when the match gets messy
Because it will get messy. It always does when you face New York.
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Containing a young Homegrown and others
New York has some weapons up top that make them dangerous. Swedish attacker Emil Forsberg can still unlock defenses with one pass. Jorge Ruvalcaba adds pace and unpredictability in wide areas.
But the biggest problem for clubs right now is a young 18-year old, Julian Hall.
Hall has six goals this season, along with two assists. He’s growing confidence by the week. He’s aggressive, direct and constantly looking to exploit defensive gaps.
Dallas has to stay tight on him around the penalty box, limit the service to him in dangerous areas, and be sure to rotate defensively.