It will be Friday Night Lights, except away at Red Bull Arena, for FC Dallas this week against the New York Red Bulls.
NYRB currently sit in 9th place in the Eastern Conference, but had an impressive offensive showing against Orlando City FC last week. This is not good news for an FC Dallas defense that shipped three goals against Vancouver Whitecaps who were also 9th place in the Western Conference when the teams faced last weekend.
Finding a defensive form will be important for Zach Loyd and Walker Zimmerman now that Matt Hedges is recovering from knee surgery. It will be interesting to see if Oscar Pareja decides to put Ryan Hollingshead at right back this weekend. Perhaps Pareja will be looking for a more defensive presence at that position like he did last week with Atiba Harris.
Could Pareja decide to make a change between the posts? Chis Seitz has played well but did punch the ball off Figueroa to give Vancouver the lead last week. Seitz has also occasionally come out awkwardly to punch or collect balls in the last few games, but perhaps that comes down to the absence of Hedges more than anything else.
On the offensive side, the return of Mauro Diaz last week should give FC Dallas fans some hope. Diaz definitely helps the midfield be more creative, but it is uncertain whether he is fit to go for the full 90 minutes. Pareja could also return to the 4-2-3-1 if Mauro starts the game.
Between their two losses this season, FC Dallas compiled a 4-0-2 record. The main difference with this game against NYRB is that FC Dallas got to play a home game after that first away defeat. Playing away from home will be a good test of the teams mental toughness and it will also be a good barometer for whether NYRB form last week is the beginning of an upswing for them this season.
FC Dallas
New York Red Bulls
