FRISCO, Texas – At this time of the year, things get harder, not easier for MLS clubs. That's especially true for FC Dallas.
After having to play a midweek win-or-go-home match against the Vancouver Whitecaps to open the 2014 MLS Cup Playoffs, presented by AT&T, FC Dallas now have to face what is objectively the best team in the league in 2014, the Seattle Sounders, beginning on Sunday at Toyota Stadium (9 pm ET, ESPN2 in US, TSN2 in Canada).
But Dallas head coach Oscar Pareja is not phased by the challenge posed by a Seattle side that has already won the 2014 Supporters' Shield and 2014 US Open Cup.
“We’re in the playoffs. We have to face them,” the Colombian manager said. ”You want to win, you have to beat the best teams. We have Seattle now. As we preached the whole year, one game at a time. Who is next? Next is Seattle, ok.”
The Sounders took the regular season series two wins to one, including a 3-2 come-from-behind win at Toyota Stadium on April 12. Seattle overcame a 2-1 halftime deficit with two second-half goals to take the season’s first meeting between the teams.
“Seattle has some good players and difference makers,” Pareja said. “I am just thinking about the 11 players who are going to come dressed in green that we need to beat.”
Still, Dallas believe they have reason for confidence in their series against the Sounders, including a 3-1 victory on Sept. 24.
“We figured some things out about them that made us successful, especially in the last game,” said FCD team captain Matt Hedges.
In fact, Dallas have taken a lead in all three of their matches against Seattle, including the lone match in Washington on May 7, a 2-1 victory for the Sounders. Considering that Dallas shored up their defense significantly after their May swoon, it will be interesting to see if Clint Dempsey and his teammates can continue their scoring success against an improved Dallas back line.
“I thought we contained them well,” Hedges said, speaking about the Sept. 24 match. “We’re happy that we get to play Seattle. We’re ready for them.”
One player who is definitely a danger to score against Seattle is Brazilian midfielder Michel, who scored against the Sounders last season and added a PK against Seattle in 2014.
“Michel is a big part of this team,” Pareja said. “Michel is a player who has shown this year that he is very valuable to this club.”
Whoever lines up against Seattle, Pareja said the plan for Sunday was simple.
“We have the responsibility to get the result here and get the most out of the game,” Pareja said. “We’re convinced that we can do it again. We have done it already.”
Kevin Lindstrom covers FC Dallas for MLSsoccer.com.
