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Seattle Sounders FC Vs FC Dallas: Head To Head Preview
By John Zielonka and Greer Wilson-Chavez
On Form
Seattle Sounders FC, by John Zielonka: Second-year left winger Steve Zakuani scored his fifth goal of the year in the 3-1 loss to the LA Galaxy on Independence Day. Fredy Montero continued to shine offensively with his sixth assist of the season. He's also tied for the team lead in goals with Zakuani. Nate Jaqua appears to be returning to form, having notched two goals in Seattle's U.S. Open Cup victory over a second-tier Galaxy lineup on Wednesday. The lanky forward could finally provide the scoring-challenged Sounders a well needed offensive lift.
FC Dallas, by Greer Wilson-Chavez: FC Dallas head to Seattle this weekend to face off against a Sounders team that hasn't won in the league since June 5. Despite home-field advantage, don't expect the Sounders to pick up their first points in over a month. Back-to-back penalty kick game-winners will leave David Ferreira in high spirits heading into this weekend's away fixture. Arguably FCD’s most consistent offensive threat, much, if not most, of the creative burden will be on his shoulders. After producing a dangerous partnership against the Wizards last week, Atiba Harris and Marvin Chavez will again be looking to prove that coach Schellas Hyndman's decision to bench Jeff Cunningham was not a wasted endeavor.
Off Target
Seattle: Kasey Keller and his defenders allowed three goals for the third straight MLS game against LA. The veteran 'keeper hasn't been as sharp as he was last year. Losing Brad Evans, Alonso Osvaldo and Jhon Kennedy Hurtado to injuries haven't helped Keller's goals-against-average in 2010 either.
Dallas: Riding the bench for the first 63 minutes against KC looks to have had the desired impact on Cunningham. The out-of-form striker came on midway through the second half and nearly notched a goal and an assist. FCD continues to have trouble scoring, though, once again relying on a PK goal to get a result. The main concern is still the lack of a finishing touch, note Eric Avila's short-range blast over the bar and Cunningham's well-worked but ultimately tame shot right at KC goalkeeper Jimmie Nielsen.
Tactics
Seattle: With Jaqua providing the scoring touch in non-MLS competitions, head coach Sigi Schmid needs to find a way to get his midfielders to send more balls his way. The former Dynamo brings a physical presence to the offense, and his heading ability has been sorely missed this entire season. Schmid doesn't need to change his 4-4-2 formation, but needs to generate more crosses into the penalty area if the Jaqua and Montero combination are to score more goals.
Dallas: Coach Hyndman may be tempted to return Cunningham to the starting lineup after the energy he showed in the latter stages of the KC game, but keeping him on the bench may perhaps be the wiser choice. Atiba Harris and Marvin Chavez worked well together, linking up down the right side of the field and creating several dangerous chances. Introducing Cunningham late in the game so he can run down tired legs might be a more effective contribution for the striker to make. FCD remains solid in the back and through the midfield, but youngsters Eric Avila and Zach Loyd probably deserve more minutes. Avila looked especially dangerous against KC, nearly forcing an own goal off defender Shavar Thomas.
Intangibles
Seattle: In their Open Cup 2-0 win over the Galaxy, Schmid started mostly second-stringers and the effort resulted in an impressive victory. The veteran coach may want to send a message to his usual starters and shake-up his lineup with players who show more passion and effort.
Dallas: In the last run-out between these two teams, Cunningham notched a brace on two PK strikes, one in each half. The hero of the '09 season has yet to produce the goal scoring form that nearly carried FCD into the post-season, look for him to prove his worth against a Seattle defense that has allowed nine goals in its last four games.
Outcome
Seattle: The Sounders carry their Open Cup momentum into Qwest Field and stop their three-game losing streak against FC Dallas. Seattle Sounders FC 2 (Jaqua, Montero) – 1 FC Dallas (Ferreira).
Dallas: Unbeaten in the league since May 20, FCD will continue its fine form and snatch three points from the Sounders. After a spell of narrow results, the Hoops offense will look to silence their doubters and go home with a decent highlight reel. Also look for keeper Kevin Hartman to go for back-to-back shutouts. Result: FCD 3-1
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
Seattle Sounders FC, by John Zielonka: Second-year left winger Steve Zakuani scored his fifth goal of the year in the 3-1 loss to the LA Galaxy on Independence Day. Fredy Montero continued to shine offensively with his sixth assist of the season. He's also tied for the team lead in goals with Zakuani. Nate Jaqua appears to be returning to form, having notched two goals in Seattle's U.S. Open Cup victory over a second-tier Galaxy lineup on Wednesday. The lanky forward could finally provide the scoring-challenged Sounders a well needed offensive lift.
FC Dallas, by Greer Wilson-Chavez: FC Dallas head to Seattle this weekend to face off against a Sounders team that hasn't won in the league since June 5. Despite home-field advantage, don't expect the Sounders to pick up their first points in over a month. Back-to-back penalty kick game-winners will leave David Ferreira in high spirits heading into this weekend's away fixture. Arguably FCD’s most consistent offensive threat, much, if not most, of the creative burden will be on his shoulders. After producing a dangerous partnership against the Wizards last week, Atiba Harris and Marvin Chavez will again be looking to prove that coach Schellas Hyndman's decision to bench Jeff Cunningham was not a wasted endeavor.
Off Target
Seattle: Kasey Keller and his defenders allowed three goals for the third straight MLS game against LA. The veteran 'keeper hasn't been as sharp as he was last year. Losing Brad Evans, Alonso Osvaldo and Jhon Kennedy Hurtado to injuries haven't helped Keller's goals-against-average in 2010 either.
Dallas: Riding the bench for the first 63 minutes against KC looks to have had the desired impact on Cunningham. The out-of-form striker came on midway through the second half and nearly notched a goal and an assist. FCD continues to have trouble scoring, though, once again relying on a PK goal to get a result. The main concern is still the lack of a finishing touch, note Eric Avila's short-range blast over the bar and Cunningham's well-worked but ultimately tame shot right at KC goalkeeper Jimmie Nielsen.
Tactics
Seattle: With Jaqua providing the scoring touch in non-MLS competitions, head coach Sigi Schmid needs to find a way to get his midfielders to send more balls his way. The former Dynamo brings a physical presence to the offense, and his heading ability has been sorely missed this entire season. Schmid doesn't need to change his 4-4-2 formation, but needs to generate more crosses into the penalty area if the Jaqua and Montero combination are to score more goals.
Dallas: Coach Hyndman may be tempted to return Cunningham to the starting lineup after the energy he showed in the latter stages of the KC game, but keeping him on the bench may perhaps be the wiser choice. Atiba Harris and Marvin Chavez worked well together, linking up down the right side of the field and creating several dangerous chances. Introducing Cunningham late in the game so he can run down tired legs might be a more effective contribution for the striker to make. FCD remains solid in the back and through the midfield, but youngsters Eric Avila and Zach Loyd probably deserve more minutes. Avila looked especially dangerous against KC, nearly forcing an own goal off defender Shavar Thomas.
Intangibles
Seattle: In their Open Cup 2-0 win over the Galaxy, Schmid started mostly second-stringers and the effort resulted in an impressive victory. The veteran coach may want to send a message to his usual starters and shake-up his lineup with players who show more passion and effort.
Dallas: In the last run-out between these two teams, Cunningham notched a brace on two PK strikes, one in each half. The hero of the '09 season has yet to produce the goal scoring form that nearly carried FCD into the post-season, look for him to prove his worth against a Seattle defense that has allowed nine goals in its last four games.
Outcome
Seattle: The Sounders carry their Open Cup momentum into Qwest Field and stop their three-game losing streak against FC Dallas. Seattle Sounders FC 2 (Jaqua, Montero) – 1 FC Dallas (Ferreira).
Dallas: Unbeaten in the league since May 20, FCD will continue its fine form and snatch three points from the Sounders. After a spell of narrow results, the Hoops offense will look to silence their doubters and go home with a decent highlight reel. Also look for keeper Kevin Hartman to go for back-to-back shutouts. Result: FCD 3-1
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
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Seattle Sounders FC 0-0 FC Dallas
- 27.78 %
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Seattle Sounders FC 2-1 FC Dallas
- 16.67 %
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Seattle Sounders FC 1-2 FC Dallas
- 11.11 %
| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | May 9, 2012 | FC Dallas 0 - Seattle Sounders FC 2 |
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| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | Aug 20, 2011 | FC Dallas 0 - Seattle Sounders FC 1 |
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| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | May 25, 2011 | Seattle Sounders FC 0 - FC Dallas 1 |
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| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | Jul 11, 2010 | Seattle Sounders FC 1 - FC Dallas 1 |
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| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | Apr 22, 2010 | FC Dallas 2 - Seattle Sounders FC 2 |
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Seattle Sounders FC
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| May 26, 2012 | Chivas USA 1 - Seattle Sounders FC 1 | MLS |
| May 23, 2012 | Seattle Sounders FC 0 - Columbus Crew 2 | MLS |
| May 19, 2012 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 - Seattle Sounders FC 2 | MLS |
| May 12, 2012 | Seattle Sounders FC 0 - Real Salt Lake 1 | MLS |
| May 9, 2012 | FC Dallas 0 - Seattle Sounders FC 2 | MLS |
FC Dallas
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| May 26, 2012 | Real Salt Lake 3 - FC Dallas 2 | MLS |
| May 23, 2012 | Chicago Fire 2 - FC Dallas 1 | MLS |
| May 19, 2012 | FC Dallas 1 - Philadelphia Union 1 | MLS |
| May 12, 2012 | Columbus Crew 2 - FC Dallas 1 | MLS |
| May 9, 2012 | FC Dallas 0 - Seattle Sounders FC 2 | MLS |
| 1 | Kasey Keller | Goalkeeper |
| 4 | Patrick Ianni | Defender |
| 31 | Jeff Parke | Defender |
| - | Nathan Sturgis | Defender |
| 19 | Leonardo González | Defender |
| 32 | Miguel Montano | Midfielder |
| 11 | Steve Zakuani | Striker |
| 22 | Michael Seamon | Midfielder |
| - | James Riley | Defender |
| 17 | Fredy Montero | Striker |
| - | Nate Jaqua | Striker |
| - | Terry Boss | Goalkeeper |
| 11 | Pat Noonan | Midfielder |
| 11 | Sanna Nyassi | Midfielder |
| 24 | Roger Levesque | Striker |
| 20 | Zach Scott | Defender |
| 34 | Tyrone Marshall | Defender |
| 6 | Osvaldo Alonso | Midfielder |
| 1 | Kevin Hartman | Goalkeeper |
| 3 | Ugo Ihemelu | Goalkeeper |
| 9 | Atiba Harris | Striker |
| 2 | Daniel Hernández | Defender |
| 20 | Brek Shea | Defender |
| - | Marvin Chávez | Midfielder |
| 5 | Jair Benítez | Defender |
| - | Heath Pearce | Defender |
| 14 | George John | Defender |
| 11 | Dax McCarty | Midfielder |
| 10 | David Arturo Ferreira | Midfielder |
| - | Josh Lambo | Goalkeeper |
| 6 | Anthony Wallace | Midfielder |
| 15 | Kyle Davies | Defender |
| 24 | Eric Alexander | Midfielder |
| 34 | Jason Yeisley | Striker |
| 19 | Zach Loyd | Defender |
| - | Jeff Cunningham | Striker |
| Nate Jaqua | |
| Position: | Striker |
| Squad Number: | 0 |
| Games | Goals | YC | RC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jeff Cunningham | |
| Position: | Striker |
| Squad Number: | 0 |
| Games | Goals | YC | RC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
1 
4 
31 
0 
19 
32 
11 
22 
0 
17 
0 
1 
3 
9 
2 
20 
0 
5 
0 
14 
11 
10
Results
Times In EST
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Kenny Cooper
Striker NY Red Bulls |
11 | 2 |
|
Chris Wondolowski
Striker San Jose Earthquakes |
11 | 1 |
|
Thierry Henry
Striker NY Red Bulls |
9 | 0 |
|
Saer Sene
Striker New England |
7 | 1 |
|
Maicon Santos
Striker D.C. United |
7 | 0 |