Atlanta United will put its six-game unbeaten streak on the line at Dallas on Wednesday.
The Five Stripes, which lead MLS with 37 points, are 5-1-2 on the road this season. Dallas, second in the Western Conference, is unbeaten at home at 5-0-4.
It seems like it could be an MLS Cup possible preview.
Buzz Carrick is the owner and editor of 3rd Degree, the Independent FC Dallas News Source, currently partnered with the Dallas Morning News, and has been covering FC Dallas for over 20 years. He answered three questions about the game:
Q. As the team heads into summer, what are the signs that it won't repeat last year's swoon?
A. Defensive resilience. Coach Oscar Pareja and Technical Director Fernando Clavijo rebuilt the defense this offseason and have created a team with a responsibility mindset that utilizes defensive discipline. Tactical flexibility to play multiple formations with varied personnel, often using 2 or 3 shapes in the same game, has allowed Dallas to grind out results on the road.
Q. How will team react to selling Mauro Diaz?
A. In the locker room, they should be fine. While Diaz was well liked, the club has been able to get results without Diaz of late. So the player's mentality won't suffer after Diaz's departure. On the field, the club will need to replace Diaz's creativity and his ability to connect the front to the back. For now, Santiago Mosquera will need to step up. But if the Diaz sale does go through, look for FCD to target a creative midfielder in the transfer window.
Q. What is matchup to watch and how do you think it will go?
A. Any time a team faces Atlanta, the battle will be to contain the high powered ATL offense, particularly Josef Martínez. The key for Dallas will be the play of center backs Matt Hedges and Reto Ziegler. They will need to limit balls into Martinez while not losing track of attacks from midfield. They will need some help from the FCD defensive mids in front of the back four or else Atlanta will run over Dallas just like they do everyone else. Dallas isn't a possession-oriented team and is quite happy to let the opposition have the ball out in front of them. The Toros will need to keep Atlanta contained and counter-attack off some midfield mistakes if they hope to get a result in front of what should be one of their biggest crowds of the year.
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