Everything you need to know about FC Dallas-Sounders

Now on a four-game win streak and going nine unbeaten, the Seattle Sounders face arguably their biggest test in months when they visit FC Dallas on short rest. Dallas are third in the Western Conference – six points ahead of the Sounders – and were riding a six-game unbeaten run before Saturday's loss to Charlotte FC.

Here’s what you need to know:

Injury news

Sounders

OUT: Pedro de la Vega — Quad; Nikola Petković — Knee; Paul Rothrock — Hamstring

Dallas

QUESTIONABLE: Logan Farrington — Lower Body; Anderson Julio — Lower Body

Opposition players to watch

Petar Musa: Second in the Golden Boot race with 19 goals, no one currently in the league has been more efficient than Musa, who is averaging .98 goals per 90 minutes. He’s everything you want in a No. 9 and notably didn’t start the last time these two teams played.

Osaze Urhoghide: Quietly one of the top centerbacks in the league, Urhoghide is a massive part of why Eric Quill's tactics work. He’s great at shutting down opposing attacks, ranking eighth in defensive actions per 90.

Stats to look smart

29.2: Only D.C. United has less of the ball than FC Dallas, but what really stands out about their play is their league-leading 29.2 clearances per game. More than any other team, FC Dallas basically invites pressure.

.91: Paul Arriola is now averaging .91 goals+assists per 90 minutes, which is the eighth-best figure in MLS among players with at least 500 minutes of playing time.

Tactics to impress

Over the last few years, it’s become almost en vogue for teams to not want the ball. Usually, that's because they want to create pressing opportunities. For Dallas, though, it’s more about absorbing pressure to create space to counter into. The Sounders can’t allow themselves to be lulled.
It’s expected to be unseasonably warm in Frisco, Texas – where the forecast says it will "feel" like 91 degrees at kickoff. The Sounders are also playing on short rest. Picking their spots to press will be especially important.