FC Dallas vs. Atlanta United FC | 2018 MLS Match Preview

Dylan Butler

FC Dallas v. Atlanta United
2018 MLS Regular Season — Week 19
Toyota Stadium — Frisco
July 4 - 8 pm ET
WATCH: ESPN+, MLS LIVE on DAZN (Canada)

Arguably the main event of a busy Fourth of July schedule pits Supporters' Shield leaders Atlanta United, unbeaten in their last six, against an FC Dallas side that is second in the Western Conference and undefeated in nine home matches this season.

Atlanta earned a 3-0 win at home last September against FC Dallas in their only previous league meeting.

FC Dallas

FC Dallas (9-2-5) did well to bounce back from their second road loss to a New York squad this season — their only two defeats in 2018 — to beat Minnesota United FC, 1-0, last Friday night.

With little separating the Western Conference foes, Roland Lamah came up with the difference, latching onto a Santiago Mosquera corner kick and powerfully heading into the net just before the hour mark for the game’s lone goal.

FC Dallas started five Homegrown players, matching their MLS record set in 2015.

“It’s a great result for us,” Oscar Pareja said. “I thought the boys did a fantastic job in the way we planned and the way we visualized the game. They executed with such great discipline against a rival. We are very content because we saw homegrown players being part of this three points. It’s a big three points. We’re happy for the academy, the club, and the future of our players.”

Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: None
International duty: None
Injury Report: OUT: F - Cristian Colman (high-ankle sprain)

Projected Starting XI
(4-3-3, right to left)
GK: Jesse Gonzalez — Reggie Cannon, Matt Hedges, Maynor Figueroa, Reto Ziegler — Kellyn Acosta, Victor Ulloa, Carlos Gruezo — Michael Barrios, Maxi Urruti, Roland Lamah

Notes: Since the start of last season, Lamah and Maxi Urruti have each scored 18 goals for FC Dallas. No other player has more than four. … FC Dallas have won six of their last nine games in league play (1L-2D) and are unbeaten in their last 15 home games (7W-8D). It is their longest unbeaten streak at home since 19 games, from August 29, 2015–September 3, 2016 (15W-4D).

Atlanta United

It was another party at Mercedes-Benz Stadium where a crowd of 71,932 — the second-largest crowd to attend a regular season, non-double-header match in MLS history — watched Atlanta United (11-3-4) explode for three goals after halftime to trounce Orlando City SC, 4-0, on Saturday.

Miguel Almiron struck for a second-half brace, Josef Martinez netted his league-best 15th goal of the season and Ezequiel Barco struck two minutes after Almiron’s first goal as the Five Stripes cruised and extended their lead atop the Supporters' Shield race to five points.

“I think at home we should have performances like we did tonight,” Gerardo "Tata" Martino said. “I also think that a few games back against Columbus Crew, we had a very solid game. Today was important, because we must play like that at home. And it’s important the way the team did it.”

Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: F - Romario Williams, D/M - Chris McCann
International duty: None
Injury Report: OUT: D - Greg Garza (shoulder surgery), D - Chris McCann (left lower extremity injury), M - Darlington Nagbe (right adductor injury)

Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1)
GK: Brad Guzan — Franco Escobar, Michael Parkhurst, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, Mikey Ambrose — Julian Gressel, Jeff Larentowicz — Hector Villalba, Miguel Almiron, Ezequiel Barco — Josef Martinez

Notes: Five players have tallied 20+ chances created and 20+ successful take-ons since May 1. Two play for Atlanta United (Almirón and Barco). … Since conceding three times in a loss to the Red Bulls on May 20, Atlanta United have allowed just four goals in MLS play (3W-3D).