If you are looking for a match this weekend that will be as unpredictable as it will be entertaining, then FC Dallas against D.C. United at RFK Stadium at 5:30 p.m. ET is the game to watch.
This will be the first away game for FC Dallas since the 5-0 defeat to Houston Dynamo two weeks ago. While the team bounced back well against Montreal last week, FC Dallas are going to be without several key starters and a majority of their back line. All in all, 7 players from FC Dallas are out for international duty:
Jesse Gonzalez (GK)
Maynor Figueroa (D)
Walker Zimmerman (D)
Moises Hernandez (D)
Atiba Harris (D/M)
Kellyn Acosta (M/D)
Tesho Akindele (F)
As you can tell from the list above, the starting defense is probably the biggest question mark heading into this game. Chris Seitz will probably get his first start of the season and his leadership and experience will be important to keep things organized.
Expect to see Ryan Hollingshead playing as an outside back like he did last week against Montreal Impact. Victor Ulloa played well last week in the midfield, though he could be used as an outside back to keep Zach Loyd in the center next to Matt Hedges. Hedges and Loyd had a very successful partnership in the middle of the defense for a large portion of last season.
D.C. United do not have a win yet this season and have only scored two goals in the first three games of the season. They lost 4-1 against the L.A. Galaxy to start the season, and only managed a 1-1 draw against Colorado last week.
D.C. United are probably happy to be facing an FC Dallas side this short on defenders. D.C. United is only missing two players on their roster due to the international break, Steven Birnbaum (D) and Alvaro Saborio (F).
Given that D.C. United will be looking to get a first win and are playing at home against a depleted FC Dallas defense, they should find a goal. Even with all the players out in defense, however, FC Dallas has a full strength starting attack.
This game has the probability for goals aplenty for both teams, so be sure to catch this early Saturday match.
