Sounders FC v FC Dallas

October 24 Kick off 7.30

Referee: Baldomero Toledo.

Assistants: Corey Rockwell; Adam Garner

MLS Weekend Preview with Play-off Possibilities for Dallas and Others (Opens in New Window)

795 Days of Waiting Ends as Dallas Return to the Scene of the Crime

Many memories will be returning of a day in September 2007 when big time FC Dallas visited Qwest Field in the U.S. Open Cup. In that bygone era, Sounders were of course a USL team and ought to have been outgunned by their illustrious MLS opponents. A five-figure crowd streamed into the stadium for what turned out to be one of the most memorable nights in recent Seattle Sounders history for Sounders fans. Sounders held Dallas, fielding Brazilian World Cup Winner Denilson, to a 0-0 tie after 90 minutes. To those of you who believe in Sounders creationism, that the team was born in 2009, we apologise for what is to come in this piece. For the Sounders evolutionists, this is for you.

We remember the events that transpired that night as if they were 795 days ago. At the time, Prost Amerika reported the matches in German only. It was only when we revisited the report and translated it into English, did we realise how mad we got that night with the histrionics of the supposedly professional outfit. We all made a pact that night. If they ever came back, we’d let them know how we felt. There are still Sounders fans out there who want to beat this club more than any other in MLS. Many of the players have moved on, but three remain: goalkeeper Dario Sala, substitute that night Dax McCarty, and Pablo Ricchetti. Sala was one of the main culprits, as he lay in fake agony on the ground while a colleague told him the incident had just been replayed on the screen and 10,385 people knew he was play acting. Sala played in Dallas last game and there’s a fair chance he wil play again over Ray Burse. If he does, he may see that Sounders fans have long memories, going back to a time before ‘creation.’

For many that were there that night, FC Dallas are a team with whom Sounders carry over unfinished business. You can read a full match report of the game and Sala’s behaviour, translated into in English for the first time as part of your homework. Don’t forget, Dax McCarthy got Noah Merl sent off!

Seattle Sounders 1 : 2 FC Dallas (aet)

Moving on …. Dallas are on the cusp of a quite remarkable achievement, and with another win, which would make it five on the trot, are about to become the hottest lowest seed since Denmark won Euro 1992.

FC Dallas History 101

FC Dallas began life as the Dallas Burn in June 1995 and played its first game on April 14, 1996, defeating the San Jose Clash in front of 27,779 fans at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.

Owned by the Hunt Sports Group, FC Dallas are the third most successful team in MLS history and the winner of the 1997 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Between 1996 and 2006, the team compiled a regular season record of 148-150-40 and qualified for the postseason on nine occasions, including each of the last two seasons. In 2006, the Hoops (fans and media have come to nickname the team the “Hoops”) recorded the highest point total in franchise history, going 16-12-4 for 52 points and earning the top seed in the Western Conference Playoffs for the first time ever.

Dallas FC Star Players

David Ferreira came to Dallas from Atletico Paranaense in Brazil. He has played all but eight minutes of every game so far and has scored eight goals with seven assists. At 5″5′, he is one of the smaller players in MLS, and one of the fairest, having committed only 21 fouls in the entitre season.

Another imposing figure will almost be Dutchman Dave van den Bergh, who has also started all 29 games.  Dave is 6’3″ and has  scored just three goals from his berth on the left of the midfield, but has the assist credit for eleven. Dave was acquired from the New York Red Bulls in January in exchange for Dominic Oduro. Previously, he played for Kansas City and Dutch Eredivisie club FC Utrecht. Utrecht had one of the most successful spells in their history, qualifying for five consecutive UEFA Cups. He has also played twice for the Netherlands.

Ginger-haired midfielder Dax McCarty will be known to those who saw the U.S. Open Cup game, ‘briefly’ mentioned above.  He was a member U.S. Men’s Olympic Team that participated in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and appeared in the team’s final match versus Nigeria. Dax has appeared in all but two of the club’s games this season and is an integral part of their engine room.

21-year-old Blake Wagner has started the first eight games in defence for Dallas, but has struggled to be selected since.  He was at the Residency with current teammates Eric Avila, Dax McCarty, and Anthony Wallace.

If there is one player who is talked about as a contender for Landon Donovan’s birthright as Player of the Year, it is Jeff Cunningham. Jeff is hotter than a metal steering wheel left out in the Texas sunshine, with goals being scored for fun recently. The latest figures are 71 shots in 27 games yielding 17 goals, and were it not for the regular awarding of penalties to Colorado Rapids for Conor Casey to convert, Jeff would have one foot in the Golden Boot by now. Sounders might wish Jeff would wear lead boots. Jeff’s goals have been instrumental in Dallas’ late charge for the play-offs, and responsible for the ‘team nobody wants to draw’ tag.

Pablo Ricchetti is the third player left from that Cup tie in 2007. The defender has started 22 games clocking up 1965 minutes. The 32-year-old Argentinian was recognised as the team’s Humanitarian of the Year for his work within the community. Pablo enjoys watching rugby which is a real sport.

Rookie George John is our local boy. The 20-year-old from Shoreline  faced Sounders FC earlier this year in Frisco, but saw his minutes cut short because of an injured hamstring. The 22-year-old recently scored his first MLS goal but is said by the FCD website to be very excited about playing in front of so many friends and family. He was a two-year co-captain at the University of Washington.

Dallas Form

When the two sides last met earlier in the season, FC Dallas had just lost for the third consecutive match, falling 1-0 to the Houston Dynamo in the Texas derby at Robertson Stadium. They had four points from eight matches, and sat at the foot of both the Western Conference and MLS overall tables. They hadn’t beaten an American side since September 28, 2008 when they beat DC United 3-0. Times change and they are now the form team in MLS.

Dallas have won four in a row, a quite remarkable achievement in a season with so many ties. In fact they have lost only once in the last 62 days, and they have powered up the table to the point of qualification for the post season. There are perhaps quite a few other sides that may be quietly hoping their charge is derailed in Seattle, as if they do make post season, they will be hard to beat.

Sounders Form

Two away wins at Columbus and Kansas have secured post season for the Sounders. The club is relaxed and the mood is happy, but that should not gloss over defensive lapses that could have been fatal against a better side in Kansas. Dallas will exploit them.

Injury News

Very little to report. Sounders have just the usual long termers on the list and Dallas have defender Anthony Wallace. No suspensions for either side. Although Tyrone Marshall, James Riley, Peter Vagenas, Ugo Ihemelu, Pablo Ricchetti, and Andre Rocha are all on a ban after a yellow, yellows do not carry over into the play-offs. Red cards do however, so don’t expect any lunging tackles from any Sounders.

Dallas – The Fans

FC Dallas has supporters clubs called the Inferno, Los Toros, La Raza and Guardia Roja.

See details of their clubs on this page.

For another match preview, visit the excellent Sounder at Heart website.