The Sounders are in Texas to take on FCD. Here are the match-ups you need to focus on.
Sounders FC @ FC Dallas
October 19, 2013, 11:30 am PT; Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas
TV/Radio: NBC; 97.3 KIRO radio; La Gran D 99.3 FM (Spanish)
For very different reasons, the lineups for FC Dallas and Sounders FC have many question marks as the two teams meet for the third time this season. However, the concepts remain the same in how the teams play.
Here are three matchups to be aware of in the nationally televised match.
David Ferreira vs. Seattle central midfielders
Ferreira may not be in the same form that he was in when he won MLS MVP honors in 2010, but he is still very dangerous in space with the ball at his feet. Whether it is on set pieces or from the run of play, the Colombian midfielder can still set up goals with the best of them. With Osvaldo Alonso out of the lineup while serving a red card suspension, the defensive responsibilities will likely fall to Brad Evans and Adam Moffat, though Andy Rose is also an option for Seattle Head Coach Sigi Schmid. Whoever is in the lineup, they will have their hands full with Ferreira, but it is a matchup that Seattle has come up successful in through the years – he has just one goal and no assists in seven matches against Sounders FC all-time.
Seattle forwards vs. Dallas center backs
Sounders FC had a lot of success with the speed of its forwards in two previous meetings with Dallas. The speed Seattle possesses up front is a bad matchup for the Dallas defense, who has a lot of size but lacks the quickness to keep up with the likes of Lamar Neagle, Eddie Johnson and Obafemi Martins. The trio has combined for six of Seattle’s seven goals against Dallas this season and should again prove important on Saturday. Add to that the cleverness of Clint Dempsey and a difficult matchup is made even more treacherous for Dallas.
Seattle’s set piece defense vs. the height of Dallas
Dallas has scored 15 goals off of non-penalty dead balls and it’s no coincidence. Its lineup features plenty of size regardless of who starts at center back and forward and Ferreira and Michel are expert marksmen when it comes to free kicks and corners. Both goals Dallas scored against Seattle in a May 18 meeting at CenturyLink Field were scored off of set pieces and it’s something Seattle will have to be conscious of at Toyota Stadium.
