Vancouver Whitecaps FC are set to face FC Dallas this Sunday in a match that could have crucial implications in the Western Conference playoff race with both sides sitting near each other in the standings.
Let’s break down what the Blue and White can expect from a youthful FC Dallas side.
TOP TIER TALENT
For years, FC Dallas’ youth academy has been regarded as one of the best in North America, producing top tier talent for its first team as well as the United States Men’s National Team program.
Players such as Weston McKennie from Juventus, Chris Richards from FC Bayern Munich, Reggie Cannon from Boavista FC, and Bryan Reynolds from AS Roma all started their footballing careers coming through Dallas’ youth academy and have gone on to secure plenty of first-team minutes with their respective clubs.
Looking at their current roster, FC Dallas still boast plenty of exciting young talent that’s come through their famed academy.
Striker Ricardo Pepi, who’s only 18 years old, was the star in Dallas’ last match, where he scored his first MLS brace to lead his team to a 2-1 home victory over Eastern Conference leaders New England Revolution.
The youngster has all the abilities to succeed in MLS, including a pure striker’s mentality, pace in behind, towering height, and plenty of skills up his sleeve so expect Pepi to be a big part of Dallas’ offence this weekend.
Another highly rated academy product in Frisco is 19-year-old midfielder Tanner Tessmann, who has a wide array of passing and helps control possession around the pitch for Dallas.
Tessmann has 82% pass completion success this season along with five key passes and has already been linked with a move to Europe despite only making 28 appearances for the club.
Another player who has already spent time in Europe and graduated from Dallas’ academy program is 17-year-old Justin Che, who’s fresh off his second career start for his hometown team.
The versatile youngster went on loan with FC Bayern Munich II, making eight appearances for them in the 3. Liga, and spent a considerable amount of his loan training with Bayern’s first team.
Training with world-class players can only help improve your game and Che’s done exactly that, impressing heavily last weekend at right back against the Revolution with his ability to get forward and veteran-like defending.
Other notable academy graduates on Dallas’ current roster include striker Jesus Ferreira, defender Eddie Munjoma, and midfielder Paxton Pomykal.
It’s safe to say the ‘Caps will have to keep an eye on Dallas’ youthful talent if they’re to continue their four-year undefeated streak at Toyota Stadium.
ONE TO WATCH
One of the main attacking threats on Dallas’ roster this season is former Colombian Primera Division leading goalscorer Jáder Obrian, who scored 13 goals in 22 games with his former club Rionegro Águilas.
The 26-year-old arrived in Dallas looking to fill the void left by winger Michael Barrios and has certainly looked the part despite only scoring twice in his debut MLS season.
A creative attacking winger with plenty of pace, Obrian sits in the top 70 percentile in MLS with non-penalty expected goals/assists as well as the top 76 percentile in the league with non-penalty expected goals.
Fellow Colombians Cristian Dájome and Deiber Caicedo will be very familiar with Obrian’s skillset, with Dájome having previously played with the winger at Deportes Tolima in 2016 while Caicedo played against him in last season’s Primera Division.
RUNS IN BEHIND
It’s been an up and down season for FC Dallas, currently sitting 11th in the West with 10 points.
However, one part of their game they’ve found plenty of success in is finding players in behind opposing backlines, given the pace they have up top with the likes of Pepi, Ferreira and Obrian.
With good passers in Tessmann, Honduran Designated Player Bryan Acosta, and Colombian playmaker Andres Ricaurte, expect Dallas to look for balls over the top or behind the ‘Caps backline to create goalscoring opportunities.
Look for the aforementioned attacking trio of Pepi, Ferreira, and Obrian to stretch the field as much as possible, while also pressing to force turnovers to jumpstart the counter against the ‘Caps.
It’s sure to be a tasty Fourth of July matchup at Toyota Stadium. You can catch the match live this Sunday at 5:30 p.m. PT on TSN1/4 and AM730. The pre-game show starts at 5 p.m. PT (TV) and 4:30 p.m. PT (radio).
