Enemy Scouting Report - FC Dallas

(image via FC Dallas)

The Houston Dynamo had a disappointing result over the weekend after playing well against Austin FC but losing 1-0. Soccer is an unfair sport but that is exactly why so many fall in love with it. Emiliano Rigoni called game in front of the Hustletown Supporters section in what was a perfect storm of a play. Now, Houston will take on another intrastate rival, FC Dallas, in the first Texas Derby of 2024.

This is probably the worse start for Dallas in recent years. They are currently sitting in 13th place in the Western Conference table with only 5 points to their name. Nico Estevez’s squad has been plagued by injuries all season. The team has been without Jesus Ferreira and Alan Velasco most of the season with the latter one yet to hit the field for the club in 2024. Come game day, form and fitness will not matter in the Texas showdown.

FC Dallas has players available that on a good day, can put games away for the Toros. Captain Paul Arriola’s capabilities are well known around the league. He might not be in his prime, but Arriola will get himself into dangerous spots on the field for the Dynamo to keep watch. Croatian striker Petar Musa was brought in to the club as the club-record transfer this offseason. In 7 games played so far, Musa has bagged 2 goals and will likely be hungry to get one in front of a good crowd against a rival. This match up will be a feisty one, for a lack of better words. Houston willlook to pounce on the opportunity to get their first win in Frisco since 2011. Talk about a drought.

FC Dallas Record: 1W-2D-5L

Results in the last 30 days:

March 16 - Dallas 1-3 Vancouver

March 30 - Austin 2-1 Dallas

April 6 - St. Louis 0-0 Dallas

April 13 - Dallas 0-0 Seattle

April 20 - Colorado 2-1 Dallas

Past Match Staring XI (from fotmob.com)

There will likely be some variation but look to see many of the players in the graphic starting.

2024 Active Roster

Goalkeepers: Jimmy Maurer, Maarten Paes

Defenders: Geovane Jesus, Omar Gonzalez, Marco Farfan, Isaiah Parker, Nkosi Tafari, Ema Twumasi, Amet Korca, Sebastien Ibeagha, Sam Junqua, Nolan Norris

Midfielders: Patrickson Delgado, Sebastian Lletget, Carl Sainte, Asier Illarramendi, Liam Fraser, Paxton Pomykal, Alejandro Urzua, Tomas Pondeca, Enes Sali

Forwards: Paul Arriola, Petar Musa, Jesus Ferreira, Dante Sealy, Tsiki Nfsabeleng, Alan Velasco, Logan Farrington, Herbert Endeley, Eugene Ansah, Malik Henry-Scott, Tarik Scott, Bernard Kamungo

Can the Dynamo bounce back and take away points in Dallas on Saturday?