Dallas vs. San Diego: MLS Clash Preview
Match Overview
On Sunday, Dallas will look to rebound from a recent defeat as they face off against the high-flying San Diego in Major League Soccer. Currently, Dallas sits 10th in the Western Conference with 21 points from 18 matches, while San Diego leads the conference with 36 points from 19 games.
Match Preview
Dallas, who failed to qualify for the MLS Cup playoffs last season with an 11th-place finish, aimed for a stronger showing this year. However, their inconsistent start has left them struggling, with five wins, six draws, and seven losses in their first 18 matches. This disappointing performance has them trailing ninth-placed Colorado Rapids by four points, although they have played one game fewer.
Recent form has been particularly troubling for Dallas, as they have managed to secure just one victory in their last eight matches across all competitions. Their latest outing ended in a 4-2 defeat to the San Jose Earthquakes, marked by two red cards and a collapse in the final minutes.
In stark contrast, San Diego is enjoying a remarkable debut season in MLS. Currently sitting at the top of the Western Conference, they have lost only one of their last nine matches, boasting seven wins and one draw. Their recent form includes three consecutive victories, and they will be looking to replicate their earlier 5-0 triumph over Dallas from May.
Recent Form
- Dallas: 1 win in last 8 matches
- San Diego: 7 wins in last 9 matches
Team News
Dallas
Dallas will be without Kaick Ferreira and Sebastien Ibeagha, both of whom received red cards in the recent match against San Jose. Additionally, Osaze Urhoghide (hip), Paxton Pomykal (knee), and Ramiro (leg) are sidelined due to injuries. Despite these setbacks, the attacking duo of Petar Musa and Luciano Acosta, who have combined for 11 league goals this season, are expected to lead the charge.
Possible Starting Lineup:
- Goalkeeper: Paes
- Defenders: Moore, Augusto, Abubakar, Farfan
- Midfielders: Delgado, Lletget
- Forwards: Kamungo, Acosta, Pedrinho, Musa
San Diego
San Diego faces its own injury challenges, with several key players likely to miss out, including Andres Reyes, Anisse Saidi, Hamady Diop, Hirving Lozano, Marcus Ingvartsen, Patrick McNair, and William Kumado. However, Milan Iloski, who has scored nine goals this season—seven of which came in the last three games—will be a crucial player alongside Anders Dreyer, who has also been in fine form.
Possible Starting Lineup:
- Goalkeeper: Santos
- Defenders: Verhoeven, McVey, Pilcher, Bombino
- Midfielders: Tverskov, Boateng, Valakari
- Forwards: Dreyer, Iloski, Mighten
Prediction
Given the significant disparity in form and league standings, we predict a commanding victory for San Diego, with a projected scoreline of Dallas 1 – 4 San Diego. San Diego’s impressive offensive capabilities, having scored the second most goals in the league this season, combined with Dallas’s defensive struggles, suggest a challenging match for the hosts.
For more detailed analysis and predictions, stay tuned for updates as the match approaches.