FRISCO, Texas — There are three teams in MLS who have failed to log a road win this season: Toronto FC, the Portland Timbers and, unfortunately for Schellas Hyndman, FC Dallas.
But the FCD manager is eager to see that change on Wednesday, when his club travels to Toyota Park to take on the Chicago Fire in the one and only Brimstone Cup matchup of the season (8:30 pm ET, watch LIVE online).
“I think the players will be extremely motivated to go on the road and get a result,” Hyndman told MLSsoccer.com. “Going on the road hasn’t been very kind to us. We’re going to change that. We’re going to go in and do well in Chicago.”
That might be difficult, considering FC Dallas will be without a number of regular starters, including center back Hernán Pertúz. He’s sidelined for three to four weeks with a severely sprained ankle and captain Ugo Ihemelu is questionable with concussion-like symptoms.
Zach Loyd, however, will return after serving a one-game suspension for a red card, and that should come in handy against the Fire. Chicago boast an impressive attacking group headlined by striker Dominic Oduro and crafty midfielder Marco Pappa.
“Chicago has a really good strike force,” Hyndman said. "I think Pappa is really good on the flanks. Dominic Oduro is extremely quick and can stretch the defense."
Along with Pertúz and Ihemelu, FCD will be without suspended midfielder Brek Shea and possibly Fabián Castillo, who is a game-time decision.
With so much adversity surrounding the club, however, Hyndman believes FC Dallas are hungrier than ever.
“This team is prepared for a challenge,” he said. “They aren’t doing as well as they want, so they want to play more games.”
