FC Dallas vs. Columbus Crew SC | 2018 MLS Match Preview

FC Dallas vs. Columbus Crew SC
2018 MLS Regular Season — Week 29
Toyota Stadium — Frisco
Sept. 15 — 8 pm ET
WATCH: ESPN+, MLS LIVE on DAZN (Canada)

FC Dallas are looking to maintain their lead atop the Western Conference standings when they host a Columbus Crew SC team that has lost just once in their last six games.

FC Dallas, which have a one-point lead over Sporting Kansas City, are coming off a 4-2 win over the Houston Dynamo in the Texas Derby, while Crew SC, which trail third-place New York City FC by six points in the East, last defeated the Cityzens, 2-1, at home on Sept. 1.

• Check out all of MLS' mascots including Phang
• Barrios, Mosquera claim El Capitan for FCD
• Sarachan: Steffen has "moved up the ladder"
• Jona, Josef among MLSers in action internationally
• Sarachan praises Trapp as a born leader
• Zardes' road back to USMNT went through Columbus
• Torrent on Berhalter: "I love this coach"
• "Like he never left": Meram's game-winning return

FC Dallas

FC Dallas (14-6-7) captured El Capitan after defeating the Dynamo, 4-2, at Toyota Stadium on Sept. 1.

Santiago Mosquera struck for a brace in a three-minute span after Michael Barrios opened the scoring in the 10th minute. Reto Ziegler converted from the penalty spot after Mauro Manotasnetted Houston’s first goal. Alberth Elis struck for a cosmetic penalty kick in the 72nd minute.

“Sometimes with Santi, he has all these [abilities] to provide to the team and within the game and we’re trying to capture that so he can use it well," Oscar Pareja said. "Then the injuries, obviously break his consistency in the field. It’s not easy. But I’m delighted to see him tonight with such energy and working hard for his teammates.”

• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: None
• International duty: None
• Injury Report: OUT: F - Francis Atuahene (left calf strain), D - Kris Reaves (left foot stress fracture)

Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1, right to left)
GK: Jesse Gonzalez — Reggie Cannon, Matt Hedges, Reto Ziegler, Marquinhos Pedroso — Victor Ulloa, Carlos Gruezo — Michael Barrios, Maxi Urruti, Santiago Mosquera — Dom Badji

Columbus Crew SC

Columbus (12-8-7) went into the international break on a high note, defeating NYCFC, 2-1, at MAPFRE Stadium on Sept. 1.

After falling behind in the 53rd minute on a goal by Ismael Tajouri-Shradi, Harrison Afful and Justin Meram scored two minutes apart for Crew SC ’s fourth win in their last six games.

“I think Dallas is a very good team,” Gregg Berhalter said. “When I look at them throughout the years, it’s a very aggressive team, very aggressive on both sides of transition — offensive transition, defensive transition. They have some good playmakers on their team. I think it’s a good group. We know it’s going to be a very difficult game for us.”

• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: M - Artur, M - Federico Higuain
• International duty: None
• Injury Report: QUESTIONABLE: M - Eduardo Sosa (right knee meniscectomy), M - Cristian Martinez (left ankle injury)

Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1, right to left)
GK: Zack Steffen — Harrison Afful, Jonathan Mensah, Lalas Abubakar, Milton Valenzuela — Artur, Wil Trapp — Pedro Santos, Federico Higuain, Justin Meram — Gyasi Zardes

All-Time Series

• Overall: FC Dallas 17 wins, 63 goals … Columbus Crew SC 19 wins, 63 goals … 10 draws
• At Dallas: FC Dallas 12 wins, 37 goals … Crew SC 6 wins, 25 goals … 3 draws
• Last meeting at Dallas: FC Dallas 1, Columbus Crew SC 1 (April 2, 2016)

Officials

Referee: Chico Grajeda
Assistant Referees: Corey Rockwell, Michael Kampmeinert
4th Official: Joseph Dickerson
VAR: Jorge Gonzalez