FC Dallas expect fireworks with D.C.
The teams meet again on Saturday night in Frisco in a game that could see the debut of FIFA World Cup-winning midfielder Denilson, signed as FCD's designated player late last week. The Brazilian will likely not start but could enter the match as a second-half substitute.
But a larger question within the FCD camp in advance of the game has been the status of Toja, who has been out since suffering a high ankle sprain in a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal on August 7.
"He's getting better every day," FCD head coach Steve Morrow said. "He's very close to being able to play and we will make that decision tomorrow closer to the game. We're pushing him a little bit harder every day and want to see how his ankle reacts. So far, it's been absolutely perfect and he's had no reaction at all. He wants to play and it will be my decision whether he starts [Saturday] or comes off the bench."
FCD could also see goalkeeper Dario Sala return between the posts on Saturday, He has been out since the July 31 SuperLiga loss to the LA Galaxy with a knee injury but told Morrow he was 100 percent and ready to go this weekend.
Saturday's match will pit the second-place clubs in the Eastern and Western Conferences against one another. United comes in with 39 points, putting them just three behind first-place New England while FCD is tied for the second spot in the West with Chivas USA at 36 points.
The Hoops last played on Aug. 19, when they lost 1-0 at Houston. Before that, FCD had won two consecutive league matches. United, on the other hand, have won five league contests in a row, four of those by shutout and has outscored their opponents 10-1 in that stretch. Last Saturday, they beat Toronto FC 1-0 at BMO Field. Their last league loss came on August 1 at Houston.
"They're a team that are playing well right now," said FCD right back Drew Moor. "They're in a good position in the league and are always a tough team to play. They're a difficult team to play against. But we're at home, where we're doing pretty well right now and we're looking for three points."
Morrow and his players both know how important Saturday's match is. "It's a big game for us," Morrow said. "It's important that we get three points at home and get back on track again. It will be a good quality game and we look forward to playing against them. All the boys are itching to get going again."
Even though FC Dallas came back to grab a share of the points in that July meeting, they haven't forgotten the encounter -- and are looking for more the second time around.
"Revenge is the title of this game right now," FCD forward Dominic Oduro said. "We played a good game up there to go down 3-0 and tie the game. They've won so many games on the road but I think that ends here. We are going to put a stop to that."
Hoops center back Clarence Goodson, a native of Alexandria, Virginia, looks forward to playing DC again for a different reason.
"That's a team I grew up supporting and I would love to beat up on those guys," Goodson admitted. "A lot of those guys were there when I was supporting them. It always feels good to beat up on them for that reason."
If the Hoops hope for a better result against United, they know they will have to do a better job of containing the Brazilian dynamic duo of Emilio, who had two goals and Fred, who had a goal and an assist in the July 14 match at RFK.
"They're good players and have been playing well for them," Morrow said. "Those guys have come up with a lot of goals and assists for them this season. It's important that we're defensively alert and understand our responsibilities when we don't have the ball. Those are guys we will certainly keep an eye on."
Moor agrees. "They've done well and caused us difficulty at times up in D.C. (earlier this year). They're very good, very versatile and look for each other. They go forward in packs, are very creative, make good runs in behind and always play off your shoulder on your blind side," he said. "I think we need to play a little deeper and keep them in front of us and don't allow the counterattack too often."
FCD has never defeated United at Pizza Hut Park. Last year, the Hoops fell 1-0 on July 4 and were beaten 2-1 by United on Sept. 10, 2005. FCD's last home win against D.C. came on July 24, 2004, when they won 5-1 at the Cotton Bowl.
