FC Dallas vs. Tauro FC
2018 CONCACAF Champions League – Round of 16, Leg 2
Toyota Stadium - Frisco, Texas
8 pm ET – Feb. 28, 2018
WATCH: univisiondeportes.com
Instead of blaming an abbreviated preseason or even an international spying scandal for a 1-0 loss to Tauro FC in the first leg of their CCL round of 16 series, FC Dallas instead took a hard look at their own level of commitment.
If they can correct that issue, overcoming a one-goal deficit in the second leg is achievable. Only a year ago, coach Oscar Pareja's group defeated Tauro's Panamanian league rivals Arabe Unido by four goals in their quarterfinal opening leg in Frisco.
But that was a team with every reason to be confident after winning the 2016 Supporters' Shield. This year's group must overcome the recent memory of their second-half collapse and failure to make the playoffs.
FC Dallas
With the news coming that Kellyn Acosta will be out up to two months, Dallas at least have one game under their belt without the influential midfielder. But that's only the start of their challenge to gain defensive cohesion after starting a backline last week that included two offseason acquisitions and Reggie Cannon, a Homegrown Player with all of one previous MLS appearance under his belt.
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: None
- Injury Report: OUT: M Kellyn Acosta (sports hernia surgery)
Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1, right to left)
GK: Jesse Gonzalez — Reggie Cannon, Matt Hedges, Reto Ziegler, Anton Nedyalkov — Carlos Gruezo, Victor Ulloa— Michael Barrios, Mauro Diaz, Santiago Mosquera — Maxi Urruti
Tauro FC
While Tauro currently sit seventh in the 10-team table in the Panamanian Clausura, they do have a strong defensive record so far, conceding only six times in seven league contests. If they can score even once in Frisco, they may well take their away-goals advantage, batten down the hatches and do everything possible to keep Dallas from scoring more than twice.
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: None
- Injury Report: OUT: M Jose Munoz (foot)
Projected Starting XI
(4-5-1, right to left)
GK: Orlando Mosquera — Rigoberto Nino, Gustavo Chara, Richard Dixon, Jorge Gutierrez — Jesus Gonzalez, Marcos Sanchez, Rolando Botello, Adalberto Carrasquilla, Jose Tamburelli — Edwin Aguilar
Previous Meetings
There are now three all-time encounters. The two previous ones came in the 2011-12 CCL group stage. The teams played to a 1-1 draw in Texas on Sept. 14, 2011 before Tauro claimed a 5-3 victory in Panama City two weeks later.
- CONCACAF Champions League history: FC Dallas - 3 appearances (2011/12, 2016/17, 2018) 8 wins, 6 losses, 3 ties (24 goals) ... Tauro FC - 6 appearances (2008/09, 2010/11, 2011/12, 2012/13, 2014/, 2018) 6 wins, 14 losses, 5 ties (15 goals)
Referees
To be announced ...
