Match Preview: FC Dallas vs NYCFC, City Looking to Defeat Western Conference Leaders

New York City FC embark on a tough stretch of away matches this weekend – 4 matches in 14 days, starting Sunday night in against FC Dallas.

New York City are coming into the game on the back of a very impressive 3-1 home victory over Atlanta United FC. David Villa, Rodney Wallace and Maximiliano Moralez were all on target for City as they put Atlanta away with ease.

NYCFC dominated for large parts of the match and were ahead just 17 minutes into the game. Villa and Wallace both linked up before the latter set El Guaje up to finish the ball into the net.

12 minutes later and Atlanta were equal. Carlos Carmona hit a lovely volley into the top corner, leaving Sean Johnson stranded in the middle of his goal. From then on out it was all City. In the 60th minute City went 2-1 ahead through Wallace – just one minute later Moralez added to City’s 2-1 lead, and sent Atlanta home with their tail tucked between their legs.

FC Dallas are also heading into the match with a win up their sleeve. Dallas defeated Real Salt Lake 0-3 away from home, thanks to a Maximiliano Urruti brace and a goal from Matt Hedges.

As the scoreline may suggest, Dallas were not tested whatsoever by RSL in this one. Just three minutes into the game, Dallas won a penalty which Urruti tucked away – the penalty set the tone for the rest of the game and had Salt Lake chasing the game from minute 1 to 90.

An RSL lineup with no Nick Rimando, Kyle Beckerman or Joao Plata were left to fend for themselves against the only unbeaten side left in MLS in this season. Hedges doubled Dallas’ lead in the 67th minute and Urruti added salt to the wounds of RSL in the 91st making it 3-0 at Rio Tinto.

The Last Time We Met

The last time NYCFC faced FC Dallas the game ended with both sides sharing a point.

The game ended 2-2 with goals from Tommy McNamara, Maxi Urruti, Michael Barrios and Khiry Shelton. 

NYCFC were trailing up until the 78th minute until Shelton netted the equalizer.

Key Players

For New York City I believe that Alexander Ring will be vital against Dallas. Unfortunately for Patrick Vieira his side will be without Yangel Herrera while he is away on international duty. With Herrera unavailable for selection, it’s likely that Andrea Pirlo will be back in the NYCFC starting XI.

Ring will undoubtedly have to do the work of two players on the defensive end, with Pirlo looking closer and closer to retirement in every game he plays. The Finnish international has been great so far this season and another great performance will be needed if City are to win.

As for Dallas, Kellyn Acosta will need to have a big game for Dallas. The 21-year-old has played eight games so far this season and has contributed two goals and two assists so far.

There’s no doubting Acosta’s talent and potential, and he will certainly be crucial for Dallas going forward in attack.

Team News

NYCFC will be without the services of Shelton (hamstring), Ronald Matarrita (high ankle sprain) and Herrera (U20 World Cup).

Dallas will have to do without Mauro Diaz (torn Achilles) and Paxton Pomykal (ankle strain).

Predicted line-ups

NYCFC (4-3-3): Johnson; White, Chanot, Callens, Sweat; Ring, Pirlo, Moralez; Harrison, Wallace, Villa.

FC Dallas (4-4-2): Gonzalez; Grana, Zimmerman, Hedges, Figueroa; Barrios, Ulloa, Acosta, Lamah; Akindele, Urruti.