FC Dallas and the Vancouver Whitecaps are set to kickoff the MLS playoffs at Toyota Park in Frisco, TX. It is the knockout round, so one match for the right to face the Seattle Sounders in the conference semifinals.
Both FC Dallas and the Whitecaps make surprise moves in starting lineups
Mauro Diaz is in for Dallas and Gershon Koffie for Vancouver.
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Both teams pulled a bit of a surprise in their starting lineups. For Dallas, it is the inclusion of Mauro Diaz, an undeniably great player, but one who battled knee and hamstring injuries down the stretch and hasn't started a match since August 9. He did come off the bench in the club's final game of the regular season and looked relatively fit so we'll have to see how he holds up.
The Whitecaps' surprise is brining Gershon Koffie into the lineup. Russel Teibert has done a good job next to Matias Laba in the double pivot, but Vancouver have opted for Koffie instead. They are also starting 20-year-old Ethen Sampson in place of the injured Steven Beitashour at right back.
FC Dallas: Seitz, Loyd, Hedges, Zimmerman, Watson, Castillo, Michel, Ulloa, Diaz, Akindele, Perez.
Vancouver Whitecaps: Ousted, Sampson, Watson, O’Brien, Harvey, Laba, Koffie, Rosales, Morales, Fernandez, Hurtado.
See More:
