Sounders head to the Lone Star State

The Seattle Sounders head down to Frisco, Texas to take on FC Dallas on Saturday afternoon! The Sounders are coming off their first win of the season after demolishing CF Montréal 5-0 at home this past Saturday.

FC Dallas are in a rough patch of their own as they have yet to win since their opening match against San Jose. They are also riddled with injuries as they have key players like Alan Velasco, Paxton Pomykal, Illarramendi, and Jesus Ferreira all out with long term injuries.

If all goes well for the Sounders, they should get their second win of the season and take a big jump in the Western Conference standings. They will also extend their unbeaten run against FC Dallas since they’ve only lost once in regular season play since 2019.

Here are the top three key matchups heading into tomorrow match:

Musa vs. the CB’s

Petar Musa has struggled in MLS since coming from SL Benfica in Portugal. While he only scored 17 goals in his Benfica career, his goals per minute stats were astounding. In his time with Benfica, he averaged a goal every 100 minutes played. Mostly coming off the bench during that time. In MLS, he’s been underwhelming to say the least. He’s only had one goal and one assist in five matches with little to no help around him. The Croatian international can still be incredibly dangerous around the box and should be marked at all times.

Regardless if the Sounders go with Schmetz’s preferred pairing (Yeimar/Ragen) or go with mine (Yeimar/Arreaga), they will need to be on it to deny Musa any chances. Ragen has proved time and time again this season that he has defensive lapses and loses his man. Arreaga has had his fair share of blunders, but Ragen is more of a liability. Having Yeimar marking Musa on corners and free-kicks can help with this but we’ll have to see how they fair against the Croatian.

Paes vs. the frontline

Last season, Paes was one of the better keepers in the league and consistently kept FC Dallas in games. This season, he has seen a multitude of shots against him and has done an average job. He was absolutely stellar in their draw against ST. Louis CITY last weekend making SEVEN saves and getting his first clean sheet season. While Paes and FC Dallas have conceded 10 goals in six matches, the Sounders’ goal scoring record isn’t anything to write home about.

Before the demolition job the Sounders attack did against Montréal, they had only scored four goals (three of them penalties) in six matches. Now, they dumped five against a tired CF Montréal side, but they look to keep the scoring up and will look to take plenty of shots at Paes and that Dallas backline.

The key to that will be Raul Ruidiaz. He scored a brace at the weekend and is the team’s leading goal scorer. Raul has an eye for goal that no one else on the team has. And, as long as everyone in that front four does their jobs, they should be able to put at least a couple past Paes, regardless of his form, and secure a win.

A midfield battle

The Sounders have João Paulo back and that’s all I really need to say. He is the one player that holds this team's shape and having him back in the lineup will be an absolute blessing. His partnership with Josh Atencio blossomed last year and JP brings out the best in the young midfielder.

FC Dallas have been missing one of their key pieces in Asier Illarramendi since their loss against Montréal in their second game. The Basque midfielder has been instrumental to the way that Nico Estevez and FC Dallas want to play. Without him, they look like a shell of themselves. Patrickson Delgado has done a fine job coming in for Illarramendi, but the young Ecuadorian still has a ways to go before he’s going to be the guy.

I fully expect the Sounders midfield of João Paulo, Josh Atencio, and Albert Rusnak to be able to handle whatever FC Dallas throws at them.

Expected Lineup