They came up just short of the Supporters’ Shield, but FC Dallas fans will be thrilled about their team putting together arguably the best regular season in their history. They’ll be hoping they fare better than the excellent 2006 team and actually go on to win the West, but standing in front of them is one of the scariest squads in the league — the Seattle Sounders.
Sounders vs. FC Dallas: Preview, time, TV schedule and how to watch online
Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins will be hard for FC Dallas to stop, but only if Seattle’s midfield can actually get on the ball.
Jennifer Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Seattle had to do a bit more scratching and clawing to get into the playoffs than they're used to, but still pulled it off with an undefeated run through October, capped off with a win over Real Salt Lake on the last day. They got to the conference semifinals by putting on a show midweek, winning a wild first round game against the LA Galaxy, 3-2.
FC Dallas enter this game red hot. They were undefeated last month, and the only game they failed to win was a draw against fellow first round bye winners, Vancouver Whitecaps, who they went on to defeat a week later. On the final day, they kept the San Jose Earthquakes out of the playoffs by beating them, 2-1.
When they last met
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Seattle got the better of Dallas this season, drawing once and winning their other matchup. Their first meeting was a 0-0 draw in Frisco early in the season, and the Sounders easily won 3-0 in their home match against Dallas, despite Obafemi Martins only being able to play one half.
Key player — Andy Rose
Osvaldo Alonso isn't likely to be fit to start in this game for Seattle, so Rose will be the man to fill his role against Dallas. Against the LA Galaxy, one of the league's top attacks, he had a very tough game. The Sounders' attack was able to make up for their poor defense, but there was clearly an Alonso-sized hole in the center of the park. They'll need an improved performance from Rose on Sunday.
Key matchup — Dallas’ CBs vs. Seattle’s forwards
Martins and Clint Dempsey may not have been the top forwards in MLS this season, but as a two-man combination, they're still the league's most dangerous when healthy. And it appears that they're both fully fit at the moment, which is bad news for FC Dallas. The good news, though, is that Matt Hedges has been MLS best XI quality all season, whether his partner is Zach Loyd, Walker Zimmerman or Bakary Soumaré.
Seattle Sounders injuries and suspensions
Out: Roman Torres (knee), Andrés Correa (adductor), Andy Craven (knee). In doubt: Osvaldo Alonso (adductor), Marco Pappa (hamstring), Oniel Fisher (hamstring)
FC Dallas injuries and suspensions
Out: Rolando Escobar (face). In doubt: Bakary Soumaré (concussion), Kellyn Acosta (hamstring).
Match Date/Time: Sunday, 9:30 p.m. ET, 6:30 p.m. local
Venue: CenturyLink Stadium, Seattle, Wash.
TV: Fox Sports 1 (U.S. - English), Fox Deportes (U.S. - Spanish), Sky Sports 5 (U.K.), TSN2 (Canada)
Online: Fox Sports Go, Fox Soccer 2 Go (U.S.), Sky Go (U.K.), TSN Go (Canada)
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