Last year FC Dallas punished Seattle Sounders FC in the playoffs, ending the Oba-Dempsey era with penalty kicks on the road. Saturday night at 6 PM (Q13) Sigi Schmid can target revenge. FCD is still younger and faster than Seattle. But the Sounders added youth at left back, center forward and are giving Kovar more playing time in 2016. The difference is no longer as great as it was in 2015.
Dallas has a vulnerable defense, particularly early in matches. It will be up to Jordan Morris and Clint Dempsey to take advantage of that. When not attacking the Sounders will need to defend the flanks where Castillo and Barrios roam. That challenge, with Diaz in the middle, will occupy the thoughts of all four defenders as well as the non-Dempsey central midfielders.
Ricardo Salazar is the center referee. No players are suspended, but Walker Zimmerman is a single yellow away from sitting for accumulation.
nos audietis in somniis | nos audietis in altumyou will hear us in your sleep | you will hear us from the deep
Keys to Game:
- Flank defense
- Punish them early (FCD has allowed nearly a goal a game in the first 30 minutes of play)
- Morris-Dempsey Incorporated
- Tortoise v Hare
How to Watch
Match date/time: 6 PM Pacific on May 14, 2016
Venue: Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Republic of Texas
Online: MLS Live (except where blacked out)
Local TV: Q13 Fox (Costigan, Keller)
Local Radio: 97.3 FM (Johnson, Webber)
Local Spanish Radio: El Rey 1360 AM (Rodriguez, Maqueda)
INTERNATIONAL TV
Middle East and North Africa: Abu Dhabi Sports | China: LETV | Australia: BeIN Sports (AUS) | Brazil: Globosat | Asia: BeIN Sports (ASIA) | Europe (excluding UK and Ireland): Eurosport
How I'm watching
Kit: Church is in Session hoodie
Scarf: Enemy's Goal Is Down
Where: A friend's place
This is your Sounder at Heart gamethread; it is your home for live analysis of gameday action