FC Dallas will look to parlay their home pitch into consecutive victories for just the second time this season when they face Real Salt Lake on Saturday in a Western Conference match at Frisco, Texas.
The Toros (4-3-4, 16 points) head home after 2-0 road win over New York Red Bulls on May 2 that snapped a four-match winless streak and a 11-game road stretch (0-9-2) without a win in all competitions against the Red Bulls.
Petar Musa scored his MLS-co-leading 10th goal in the 54th minute for the Toros, and Samuel Sarver found the net on a header in the 88th minute on an assist from Logan Farrington. Dallas goalkeeper Michael Collodi earned the shutout without facing a shot.
Musa is tied with Chicago’s Hugo Cuypers atop the Golden Boot standings but says contributing to his team winning is more important.
“I always focus on the team,” Musa said this week. “I want to help with goals and help out defensively. Getting three points is the most important thing.”
Salt Lake (6-3-1, 19 points) travels to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex after a 2-0 home win against Portland on May 2 that RSL coach Pablo Mastroeni opined was his side’s “most complete performance” of the year.
Zavier Gozo and Diego Luna scored in the first half for the Claret and Cobalt as they snapped a two-game losing streak. Juan Manuel Sanabria had two assists and Sergi Solans also had a helper in the win.
Defender Justen Glad’s availability for the Saturday match was to be determined, according to Mastroeni. Glad exited the match with Portland due to a nagging adductor injury.
“It’s gonna be really touch and go with him,” Mastroeni said, “but he pulled himself early. He didn’t pull (a muscle). Showed some good leadership and some good experience in that moment to avoid any big-time problems.”
Solans leads RSL in goals this season with five while Gozo, Sanabria and Morgan Guilavogui set the pace with four assists apiece.
Dallas has won 14 of its 24 all-time home meetings with RSL with eight draws. The Claret and Cobalt have earned points in seven of their past eight visits to North Texas, including draws in each of the past two seasons.
–Field Level Media
