FC Dallas vs. Colorado Rapids | 2020 MLS Match Preview

DAL-COL Week 7

2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 7
FC Dallas vs. Colorado Rapids
Toyota Stadium – Frisco
August 26 – 8:30 PM ET


STREAMING: MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US; MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada


LOCAL TV: Altitude, Texas 21


Two teams who entered the 2020 regular season with high expectations, but are both currently below the playoff line in the Western Conference square off when FC Dallas host the Colorado Rapids Wednesday night.


FC Dallas are winless and goalless in their three matches in the season's restart, including a 0-0 Texas Derby draw against the Houston Dynamo Friday at BBVA Stadium, while the Rapids have lost three of their last four, including a 4-1 Rocky Mountain Cup home defeat to Real Salt Lake.


Dallas have dominated the all-time history at home, winning 24 of the 38 all-time contests with six draws. The teams split their two meetings a year ago, with the Rapids claiming a 3-0 home victory and FC Dallas retaliated with a 2-1 win in Frisco.


FC Dallas


No wins, no goals, and plenty of frustration in the attacking third for FC Dallas, which drew the Dynamo, 0-0, Friday in Houston, their second consecutive scoreless draw. Also for the second straight match, Luchi Gonzalez's side were badly outshot, 17-7, with just one shot on frame, while ceding 56.9 percent of the possession.  


Against Houston, Gonzalez opted for a 5-man backline (more of a 3-4-3 that morphed into a 3-5-2) in lieu of their regular 4-3-3 and he said the tactical versatility will be a mark of the 2020 squad: “We pride ourselves on being able to adapt.”


“We suffered. And in that suffering I saw positive steps because we’re going to need that for the season, especially away,” Gonzalez said postgame. “Imagine with that defensive effort at home and generating more offensively — it’s steps that are going to help us moving forward.”

FC Dallas vs. Colorado Rapids | 2020 MLS Match Preview - Project Starting XI
  • Updated team roster
  • Injury Report:
    • OUT: None
  • Suspended: None
  • Suspended after next caution: None
  • International duty: None


Colorado Rapids


It's now five consecutive Rocky Mountain Cup defeats for the Colorado Rapids, who struck first, but conceded four unanswered goals in the second half to drop their first game of the regular season restart. The derby defeat understandably didn't sit well with the Rapids.


"It's embarrassing," forward Andre Shinyashiki said. "It's a shame that it went the way it went and i think we have to take a hard look at ourselves. We have a quick turnaround to play on Wednesday and we just have to be better. That's the reality of it."

FC Dallas vs. Colorado Rapids | 2020 MLS Match Preview - Project Starting XI
  • Updated team roster
  • Injury Report:
    • OUT: Kortne Ford (D) - left knee injury
  • Suspended: None
  • Suspended after next caution: None
  • International duty: None


Series Matchup at FC Dallas


  • FC Dallas: 24 wins, 67 goals
  • Rapids: 8 wins, 40 goals
  • 6 draws


Officials


  • Referee: Kevin Stott
  • Assistant Referees: Jeremy Hanson, Jeffrey Greeson
  • 4th Official: Luis Guardia
  • VAR: Kevin Terry Jr.