There is a newfound, yet tentative aura of optimism drifting through the crisp March air in Frisco. Despite the lack of three-nils and flowing football throughout the preseason, there is a common belief that the team has goals in it; a belief that will be tried tonight with Colorado’s arrival.
An immediate history between the two sides, at least since the advent of Oscar Pareja’s tenure in Colorado, leaves Dallas with the upper hand, and a 2-1 record to boast. Victories were split between Commerce City and Frisco, and in both matches Dallas netted two or more goals. May 6th’s defeat can feasibly be written off, as two ejections marred any type of salvageable result for Dallas, and a 40 minute shelling from Colorado to end the game.
Oscar Pareja’s Rapids have undergone similar changes to FCD, however. They have a new attack and a plethora of strikers to choose from, namely the recently acquired Danny Mwanga, Andre Akpan, Kamani Hill, Edson Buddle, and Chalres Eloundou (claimed by the Rapids to be 2013 years old; check that birth certificate – he can be the Obafemi Martins of ML…wait).
The main issue is that Buddle, a well-touted offseason acquisition, is still expected to be out due to injury, which will require one of these young (or ancient) strikers to lead the line for the Rapids.
But that will not take any of the heat off of FCD. Each victory gained in 2012 against Colorado was by a goal difference, including a 3-2 thriller in Frisco. Pareja’s 4-3-3 formation is attacking in its very essence. Jaime Castrillon, Tony Cascio, Martin Rivero, Atiba Harris, and Nick LaBrocca all fit Pareja’s attacking strategy throughout the midfield. The real question will be: can Dallas put Colorado’s pockmarked defense under enough pressure to make them crumble?
Expect Colorado to throw numbers forward, but expect an equal amount of counters in Dallas’ direction. Yet, there is one caveat to Dallas’ new attacking prowess (at least on paper): things will be shifted today.
Blas Perez’s 2-game-suspension (thanks @DallasMunoz) has required a shuffling not seen in the Hyndman era. Despite the melodrama, the lineup will feature Ferreira on the left flank, Jacobson and Warshaw holding the center of midfield, Jackson on the right flank, leaving Cooper and Castillo to spearhead the attack.
To put it frank: we’ll see how this works. It worked decently against Portland’s B-side in the preseason tournament. View it as a learning experience. Should the formation work and provide a good mix, it will be one more item in a bag of tricks for Dallas to pull out down the line. Overall, the common desire is for the team to open 2013 with a win against a conference rival, and to put on a good show in the process. Who wouldn’t love Kenny Cooper, the hometown boy, opening his account on his return debut?
Projected Lineups:
FC Dallas: 4-2-2-2: Seitz; Loyd, John, Hedges, Benitez; Ferreira, Jacobson, Warshaw, Jackson; Castillo, Cooper
Colorado Rapids: 4-3-3: Pickens; Mullan, Calderon, Moor, Wynne; Thomas, Mastroeni, Powers; Harbottle, Brown, Harris
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