The Home Depot Center could be the site of thrills, spills and end-to-end action as FC Dallas travel to California for their first-ever meeting against Club Deportivo Chivas USA.
Both Chivas USA and FCD tied last weekend, although the Chivas USA-San Jose game saw six goals in a wide-open match at Spartan Stadium compared to the scoreless draw for Dallas.
"It was end-to-end and both teams threw a lot forward," said FC Dallas head coach Colin Clarke on the Chivas USA tie last weekend. "They've got a lot of decent players, players that like to get forward and express themselves.
"We'll have to deal with that side of it and make sure we're right there, but also I'm sure we can create plenty against them down at the other end."
The three goals for Chivas USA were their first as a franchise and they will be hungry for more against a young back line for Dallas.
Chivas USA's defense also faces a daunting task. The combination of Ryan Suarez, Ezra Hendrickson, and Orlando Perez has a great deal of collective MLS experience but they will have their hands full with the three-headed beast of Carlos Ruiz, Eddie Johnson, and Ronnie O'Brien.
"It's still early in the season and everyone is excited to play and looking forward to the games," Johnson said. "They're coming off a good result against a good San Jose team so we know it's not going to be easy."
Both teams have used attacking-minded formations in their first two matches -- both ostensibly 4-3-3 schemes, although the freedom each team gives its front three and their midfield shape is different. Still, both formations have the potential to cause major headaches for the opposition.
"It's 11 versus 11," said Clarke. "So we'll deal with that."
Scott Joiner is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
