FC Dallas vs. New York Red Bulls

2017 MLS Regular Season

Toyota Stadium

September 2, 2017 – 9 pm ET

(Frisco, TX)- The New York Red Bulls and FC Dallas are heading in opposite directions at the moment. New York has been charging up the standings and is looking to further their playoff position. On the other hand, Dallas has been on a terrible skid, winless since July 22. Both teams need the three points, but Dallas are fighting to get back in the playoff picture.

New York Red Bulls Stampede South, Challenge FC Dallas: PREVIEW

Three Game Notes

Not What It Used To Be

The past few years, these two teams have led/won their respective conferences. This match-up was as high-powered as could be, but this year is a bit different. The Red Bulls had a very slow start to the season and are just recently finding their form. FC Dallas started the season leading the West and the league, but have since dropped off to seventh place.

Regardless of where the teams sit in the table, it is sure to be an entertaining match-up, and a fast-paced game.

Absences

Due to World Cup Qualifiers this weekend, both the Red Bulls and Dallas will be without multiple starters on Saturday.

RBNY will be without centerback Fidel Escobar (Panama), as well as fullbacks Kemar Lawrence (Jamaica) and Michael Amir Murillo (Panama). Pair this with the injured centerback Aurelien Collin, and the Red Bulls are facing a terribly depleted back line.

FC Dallas will be without the services of midfielder Kellyn Acosta (USA), forward Tesho Akindele (Canada), defender Maynor Figueroa (Honduras), midfielder Carlos Gruezo (Ecuador), and defender Matt Hedges (USA).

With that, here is a projected starting XI for Jesse Marsch’s side on Saturday night:

It is worth noting that RBNY and Dallas have two of the best academy programs in MLS. With the necessary roster rotation for both clubs, fans will see a lot of young academy products for both sides. For RBNY- Connor Lade, Tyler Adams, Sean Davis, and Alex Muyl will most likely take to the pitch. Additionally, Derrick Etienne Jr., Dilly Duka, and Arun Basuljevic will likely be available for selection off the bench.

Defense vs. Dallas

The last time FC Dallas scored against the Red Bulls, the iPhone 4S was top-of-the-line technology. It was a 2-1 FCD victory in March of 2012, with the winning goal coming from Ricardo Villar. Since that match, RBNY has shut out Dallas four times, including three wins.

This dominance is admirable considering the hospitable environment that Toyota Stadium is for away teams. This match will prove as tough a test as any for the Red Bulls, being away and with a weakened back line.

Prediction: Despite NY’s recent success against the Toros, they will likely struggle to gain a foothold in the game. They will give up the first goal, and be forced to regroup at half time. Jesse Marsch will reboot his team in the locker room, and RBNY will take the crowd out of the game by controlling the second half. Finally, a breakthrough will come, and the match will end a hard fought, 1-1 draw.

Source: FotMob – King of Football

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