MLS resumes in home markets: Scouting FC Dallas

Major League Soccer's highly anticipated return to home markets will see Sporting Kansas City play six regular season matches against four different regional rivals between Aug. 21 and Sept. 13. This six-game stretch represents phase one of the league's return to play, with all clubs expected to play an additional 12 fixtures from mid-September until Nov. 8 to complete the 23-game regular season.

From Aug. 15-18, SportingKC.com will provide scouting reports on the four opponents that comprise Sporting's schedule in phase one: the Houston Dynamo (Aug. 25 and Sept. 5), the Colorado Rapids (Aug. 29), FC Dallas (Sept. 2) and Minnesota United FC (Aug. 21 and Sept. 13).

When it rains, it pours. The saying rings especially true for an FC Dallas side that began the season with promise only for a multitude of unforeseen factors to quash the momentum—and test the resolve—of head coach Luchi Gonzalez's men. With FC Dallas set to visit Children's Mercy Park on Sept. 2, we take a look at the MLS charter member's 2020 campaign thus far.

Early Season

After suffering a 4-3 heartbreaker to eventual MLS Cup Seattle Sounders FC in the playoffs last fall, FC Dallas kicked off a new decade with a convincing 2-0 home win over the Philadelphia Union on Feb. 29. Czech forward Zdenek Ondrasek, who bagged seven goals in as many starts in 2019, opened the scoring before 20-year-old U.S. international Paxton Pomykal added a late second.

Seven days later, Dallas rescued a 2-2 home draw versus the Montreal Impact. After Maxi Urruti struck twice against his former club, Ondrasek pulled one back and 17-year-old homegrown Ricardo Pepi notced a dramatic 96th-minute equalizer.

Return to Play

FC Dallas were drawn into Group B for the MLS is Back Tournament last month and arrived in Orlando in late June for training. However, an outbreak of COVID-19 cases within the club prompted MLS to withdraw Dallas from the tournament. Expansion side Nashville SC was removed from the competition days later.

To make up for their absences in the MLS is Back Tournament, Dallas and Nashville will square off three times. Two of those meetings took place last week at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, as Nashville came away with an impressive four points. Wednesday's battle remained scoreless until the 86th minute when David Accam fired the visitors ahead, while Sunday's contest was delayed over three hours before the teams scrapped to a goalless draw. Dallas was fortunate not to suffer a second straight defeat in the rematch, as goalkeeper Jimmy Mauer was forced to make seven saves.

Three Players to Watch

Zdenek Ondrasek: The well-traveled 31-year-old broke into the Czech Republic national team last fall thanks to his standout performances with FC Dallas. Ondrasek has nine goals in his last 11 appearances dating back to August 2019.

Paxton Pomykal: One of the most promising young midfielders in the U.S. national team's player pool, Pomykal enjoyed a breakout season in 2019 en route to MLS All-Star recognition. The skilled homegrown made his MLS debut as a 17-year-old at Children's Mercy Park in 2017 and has since blossomed into one of the club's most important players.

Franco Jara: The Argentine forward signed for FC Dallas in January after a prolific stint with Pachuca in Liga MX. He formally joined the team during the day-long July transfer window and featured in both of the club's games against Nashville SC last week. He amassed 76 goals and 19 assists in over 150 appearances for Pachuca from 2015-2020. He was part of the team that won the 2016 Clausura that qualified Los Tuzos for the 2016-2017 Concacaf Champions League, where he scored six goals to help Pachuca win their fifth continental title.

Head-to-Head

The regular season series between these two MLS originals is tied at 25-25-12. Sporting are 8-2-2 in their last 12 home matches against FC Dallas, but the Texas outfit won both meetings in 2019. A 2-0 road win at Children's Mercy Park was followed by an emphatic 6-0 victory on Decision Day last October.

Recent regular season meetings

Sporting's Next Six Matches