FRISCO, Texas - Luchi fields the same lineup that defeated Inter Miami 2-1 Wednesday night as FC Dallas faces the Houston Dynamo in the fourth and final Texas Derby of the year this afternoon at 2:30PM at Toyota Stadium. Let's dig a little deeper into the Starting XI that will try to clinch a playoff spot with either a win or a tie here today.
Fullbacks
Luchi's first-choice fullback pairing of Ryan Hollingshead and Bryan Reynolds start on either side of the backline once again. Last time out, the duo was crucial to FCD's attack as Reynolds won the penalty that Franco Jara converted to tie the game before he found Hollingshead with a low cross to hammer home Dallas' winner. Expect the fullbacks to contribute in the final third once again today.
Center Back Pairing
Last game saw a center back pairing of Bressan and Matt Hedges since captain Reto Ziegler was unavailable as a precaution after having been potentially exposed to COVID-19. Although Ziegler has been medically cleared and and is available on the bench, Bressan and Hedges both keep their places and will anchor FCD's backline today against Houston.
Midfield Three
Dallas'midfield will once again consist of Thiago Santos, Andrés Ricaurte and Jesús Ferreira. When these three lined up together last game, Santos acted as the lone defensive midfielder with Ferreira and Ricaurte operating ahead of him in similar areas. Expect Ferreira and Ricaurte to exchange positions often as Dallas tries to create gaps between Houston's defensive lines.
Full Lineup
Starting XI: Jimmy Maurer; Ryan Hollingshead, Bryan Reynolds, Matt Hedges, Bressan, Thiago Santos, Andrés Ricaurte, Jesús Ferreira; Michael Barrios, Franco Jara, Fafa Picault.
Substitutes — Phelipe Megiolaro, John Nelson, Reto Ziegler, Tanner Tessmann, Brandon Servania, Dante Sealy, Ema Twumasi, Ricardo Pepi, Santiago Mosquera
