FC Dallas will host the Philadelphia Union at 3pm est this Sunday, March 6th at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas to kick off the 2016 season. Dallas will look to start where they left off in the regular season last year, where they finished first place in the Western Conference with 60 points. The Union, however, will seek new beginnings in Texas, and try to improve on their 9th place finish in 2015.
The Union might miss influential midfielders Tranquillo Barnetta, and Maurice Edu to injury on Sunday, and we will likely see several debuts, possibly including Chris Pontius, Ilsinho, and Roland Alberg. Meanwhile we may also see a debut at center back, as Marquez will be paired with either young Joshua Yaro, or FC Bethlehem product Ken Tribbet.
FC Dallas forwards Fabian Castillo and Mauro Diaz will be a hand-full for the Union, as Dallas looks to improve on their undefeated streak agains the Philly Union.
FC Dallas came away winners when these teams met last year, in a 2-0 victory at PPL park, which saw Zach Pfeffer receive a 42′ red card, and a pair of second half Dallas goals by Tesho Akindele and Ryan Hollingshead.
In the 8 times these two have played, Dallas has been the superior side, winning 4 and drawing 4. Dallas has hosted the Union 4 times, winning 3 and drawing 1. Dallas will certainly look to establish their dominance on Sunday and will hope to claim all 3 points. Road games were not kind to the Union in 2015. Philadelphia only won 3 times away, recording 10 losses and 4 draws in that time. The only teams with less wins on the road were Houston (2), LA (2) and Chicago (0). The Union are attempting to stamp their identity on the league in 2016, and will hope to make a splash in Frisco, however a draw would be a good result so far from home.
