This week the Sounders hit the road for the first away match of 2015. Following last weekend's bye, the Rave Green head to Frisco, Texas to take on FC Dallas. The last time these two teams met, Seattle eliminated Dallas from the 2014 MLS Cup Playoffs on away goals. This time, both sides will be without a few key starters due to national team call-ups and injuries.
To get a better understanding of FC Dallas, SoundersFC.com reached out to Drew Epperley of BigDSoccer.com for some insight in this week's From The Other Side.
Dangerman – Fabian Castillo
The young Colombian has been improving game after game under Oscar Pareja. In 2014, Castillo was the club's MVP with a career high 10 goals and four assists.
Castillo already has a pair of assists to his name on the year along with a stellar goal against Sporting KC. What makes Castillo dangerous is the fact that he can turn his game on at almost any point. His speed on the wing is tough for any team to handle and now that he is crafting his passing game a bit more, he is getting better at finding players in the penalty box with his crosses
Player to Keep an Eye on in 2015 – Ryan Hollingshead
After taking a year off from the game to help build a church in Sacramento, Hollingshead returned to FCD in 2014. He didn't see a ton of action in his rookie season but thanks to a good offseason and strong preseason campaign, Hollingshead is now a mainstay under Pareja.
His work ethics may be the best of FCD, which is why Pareja is rewarding him with starts and chances off the bench. Hollingshead is paying it back with a goal and an assist already in 2015.
Best Offseason Move – Michael Barrios
FCD wasn't extremely active on the open market in the offseason but they did find a guy in Barrios that filled a void they had out wide after they cut ties to Designated Player Andres Escobar. Barrios has made two appearances so far in 2015, both off the bench, and each time has brought a ton of pace and energy to the field. If teams are scared of Castillo's speed, then they will hate dealing with Barrios.
Best Recent Team-Related Tweet
FCD is so hot right now that being DTID is spreading across the pond.
Favorite Stat of the Season
FC Dallas is 3-0-0 for the first time since 1998. Right now there is no better stat than that one.
Three Thoughts on #FCDvSEA
1. International callups wreck lineups: Both teams will be dealing with this on Saturday but FCD got hit a tad harder as they'll be missing six players total due to international duty.
2. Who starts in the defense for FCD: Pareja could turn to Walker Zimmerman and Homegrown Kellyn Acosta, which would be their first starts of 2015.
3. Revenge factor for 2014 playoffs: The away goal rule has been a hot topic since November around Frisco.
Key Matchup
Matt Hedges vs Obafemi Martins - The winner of this battle may very well help determine which team leaves Frisco with points.
