WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: FC DALLAS
Welcome back to What You Need To Know, a preview for Austin FC fans to check in on their next opponent.
Austin FC is coming off a 0-0 draw at the Vancouver Whitecaps in a match that has started a strong narrative of being “boring.”
Strong defensive performances aren’t boring, watching a well-organized team consistently cover up and hold opponents without chances is fun to watch. This isn’t something we are used to seeing with Austin, who has never been a strong defensive team, finishing in the bottom 5 in Goals Against twice (2021 and 2023). The 2024 team is averaging the fewest goals against per game in club history (1.3) and is on pace for the most shutouts in a season (13).
Chart From @MLSstat
The Austin FC fanbase is used to the “Horseshoe of Sadness” like in the above chart but not when it’s forcing other teams to maintain possession without clear penetration into the attacking third. By playing deeper and allowing the center backs to keep the ball in front of them Austin has helped eliminate them being on islands against forwards or having to chase behind if a through ball is played. Yes, Vancouver won the xG battle on Saturday, but Austin produced the best xG chance of the match and Vancouver mostly wrapped up a lot of <0.1 xG shots that look more impressive cumulatively than at any individual moment. It was the first time Vancouver has been shut out this season and the third straight shutout for Austin FC.
This match has Copa Tejas implications as Austin currently sits atop the table. Dallas needs a result at home to try and keep Austin from clinching the Copa against Houston next week with a win.
History vs. Austin FC:
Austin has never won in Frisco, but they did win this season’s previous meeting 2-1 thanks to goals from Julio Cascante and Diego Rubio.
Recent Matches:
FC Dallas lost 3-1 to Toronto FC last Saturday and is currently 13th in the Western Conference with 9 points from 10 games.
Players to Watch:
Petar Musa
The Croatian striker has been off to a slow start for FC Dallas as he’s tried to mesh with Jesus Ferreira but has scored in two of the last three matches for them. He plays as a true target 9 up top who can get on the end of long passes and link up with other attackers, which is how Dallas scored their goal in Austin. He may get rotated out as he played 90’ twice this week, which would be a boon for our defense.
Sam Junqua
The defender is key to FC Dallas and how they want to play. He leads the team in tackles and tackles and interceptions. Dallas employs a 3-4-3 formation (similar to Vancouver last week) and that system requires defenders who can play on the ball and link to the midfield since more responsibility falls on them, which is how 3 of the top 4 players in attempted passes are defenders, Junque having the most attempts.
Keys to the Match:
Playing from Behind
FC Dallas has only led for a combined total of 5 minutes and 24 seconds when playing 11 v 11 this season (2:15 vs. San Jose and 3:09 at Austin). This is not the sign of a good team and Nico Estevez is on the hot seat, another poor showing on Saturday could bring the end of his coaching tenure in Dallas much closer.
Defense
As mentioned above, Austin has become a strong defensive side, especially on the road where they’ve only allowed three goals in four matches. Dallas currently sits last in the conference in goals scored. Will Josh Wolff continue his trend of setting up defensively on the road or will he allow his team to venture forward more against a Dallas side that lacks scoring punch?
The Magic of the US Open Cup
FC Dallas defeated the Memphis Kickers 1-0 in the US Open Cup on Tuesday with most of their usual Starting XI playing. This is their 3rd match in eight days for most of their players including Musa, Ferreira, and Sebastian Ibeagha. Austin had a full week of rest and is fully healthy. Dallas will most likely have to rotate at least some of their team for rest reasons.
WRITTEN BY: SCOTT SPECHT
