FC DALLAS vs. CD SUCHITEPÉQUEZ
TOYOTA STADIUM, Frisco, Texas
Sept. 28, 2016 (CONCACAF Champions League)
8 pm ET (facebook.com)
No matter what happens this week, the Group H winner in this year's CONCACAF Champions League won't be decided until Oct. 20.
Going into Wednesday night's matchup at Toyota Stadium, FC Dallas and Guatemala's CD Suchitepéquez have four points from two matches each in CCL play -- all against eliminated Salvadoran side Real EstelÃ, who have already played all four of their fixtures.
The winner of this game will hold control of the group heading into the finale at the Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores in Guatemala City, but would still need to secure a draw in that match to guarantee a spot in the quarterfinals. A draw on Wednesday would keep things level after three matches -- but, depending on the scoreline, could play a big part in the away-goals tiebreaker if both matches end deadlocked.
Can FCD keep all the balls in the air?
It's already been a dream season for FC Dallas, who already are the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup champions and lead the Supporters' Shield standings with a legitimate shot at the league's first domestic treble (Open Cup/Shield/MLS Cup). Landing a spot in next year's quarterfinals would be another feather in the club's collective cap -- but can they afford to risk key players in CCL with the end of the regular season and the start of the Audi 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs looming?
Manager Oscar Pareja has already show himself willing to commit his roster across all competitions, mixing first-choice players into both of his lineups so far in CCL play. Then again, FC Dallas have a key Western Conference matchup with the third-place LA Galaxy this weekend, and they're trying to break a three-match run without a victory in league play. If Pareja wanted to work in more backups for this match -- then go starter-heavy in October, if need be -- it would be hard to fault him.
Meet the Visitors
Suchitepéquez got into this year's group stage by winning Guatemala's 2016 Clausura Championship, qualifying them for their first CCL under the tournament's current format. They took fourth place in 1993 in the old CONCACAF Cup Winner's cup and reached that tournament's Central Zone qualifying stage in 1995.
Homefield Advantage
FC Dallas have never lost at home to a Central American opponent in CCL play, with a 2-0-1 record between the 2011-12 tournament and this edition. That includes a 2-1 victory over Real Estelà on Aug. 24, in Dallas' group opener.
Then again, it's been hard for any team to come away from Toyota Stadium with a win this year. In 19 matches at home across all competitions this season, counting one Open Cup match played in Dallas, FC Dallas have lost just once.
Suchitepéquez have never faced an MLS opponent -- at home or away -- in CONCACAF play, making their last appearance in the Cup Winner's Cup the year before MLS was founded in 1996.
