Sounders FC vs. FC Dallas
MLS Regular Season
Saturday, March 28; 5:30 p.m. PT; Toyota Stadium
TV/Radio: Q13 FOX; KIRO Radio 97.3 FM
In a rematch of last year’s Western Conference Semifinals, FC Dallas hosts Sounders FC Saturday evening at 5:30 p.m. PT. Seattle will be playing its first road match of the season after a break from MLS action last week, while Dallas is atop the league standings with a 3-0-0 record.
Here are three key matchups to keep an eye on in Saturday’s contest at Toyota Stadium.
Seattle backline vs. Fabian Castillo
Due to National Team call-ups, FC Dallas will be without three of its starters on Saturday, including veteran goal-scorer Blas Perez. However, the Hoops still boast a bevy of playmakers in the attacking third, and Castillo may be the most dangerous of the group. Castillo had a breakout season in 2014, totaling 10 goals and four assists in 27 appearances. The speedy, crafty forward already has a goal and two assists through three games of this season. He typically plays on the wing, but with Perez out of the lineup, Castillo could be featured as Dallas’ lone striker on Saturday.
Stefan Frei vs. Michel
Dallas is known for scoring a good portion of its goals on set pieces, and Michel is often the one who takes them. The Brazilian midfielder has done a lot of his damage over the years against the Sounders, recording five goals and three assists in eight career fixtures with Seattle. Four of those goals came on penalty kicks, and the other was scored directly off a corner kick. Frei started this season with a shutout in Seattle’s 3-0 win over New England – including one miraculous save of a shot from distance – but the Sounders gave up three goals in a loss to San Jose one week later.
Sigi Schmid vs. Oscar Pareja
More than anything, this match could be decided by the decisions of each Head Coach in terms of starting lineup and substitutions. Six Dallas players will be missing the game due to National Team call-ups, and the Rave Green will be without at least two of their regular starters: forward Clint Dempsey and midfielder Marco Pappa. Saturday’s contest could become a mind game between Schmid and Pareja as the depth of each team is on display.
