FC Dallas is a strong team from top to bottom, with peak-age Designated Players complementing a breathtaking stable of homegrown talent. After Oscar Pareja left for LigaMX in the offseason, the club went all-in on their youth movement by elevating academy director Luchi Gonzalez to the head coach role. The results thus far have been extremely promising, with 19-year old Paxton Pomykal revelatory in the No. 10 role, Jesus Ferreira pushing for more minutes up front, and Reggie Cannon continuing his ascent at right back. Meanwhile, Bryan Acosta, Pablo Aranguiz, and Carlos Gruezo could all be Best XI players in MLS this season and the two experienced center backs offer consistency to support a young core.
So yeah, this game should be interesting.
Shot stoppers, but not in goal
Sure, Andre Blake is one of the top goalies in MLS. And yeah, Jesse Gonzalez is hoping to nudge his way into the next generation of top goalies... but thus far these two haven't had a lot to do.
The Union and FC Dallas are both in the top 5 in shots and shots on target allowed per game, and they're doing it by keeping the ball far from their own goal. This tactic seems almost too obvious, but it's extremely hard to execute. Dallas holds a lot of possession but they don't spend time in their own half if they can help it. Instead, the goal is to move the ball quickly into the attacking half and, if possession turns over, attack and win it back.
Philly's high press has looked increasingly organized in recent weeks, and with Fafa Picault as trigger the team constantly harried FC Cincinnati's back line into long balls that became changes in possession. Look for both teams to try and hurry the opposition back line in order to gain control of the match early.
Early goal gets the worm
Not only has David Accam's resurgence been vital to Philly's recent winning streak, but it has also provided the club with the only first half offense of the season. Meanwhile, Dallas has already collected a first minute goal and has trailed in one match all year, their 1-0 loss to Columbus.
Playing at home, Philly will be looking to come out on the front foot, but Dallas' record suggests they value an aggressive start. Accam's 31st minute strike against the Crew and his brace in the 41st are the Union's only first half goals all year, and Philly will be desperate to change that and force Dallas to throw bodies forward so Accam and Picault can isolate center backs Matt Hedges and Reto Ziegler.
Medunjanin and Pomykal
The headlines will be lit with teenage creators Brenden Aaronson and Paxton Pomykal's names. The real dealbreaker in this matchup, though, is Pomykal's pressing and Haris Medunjanin's guile. Remember last year in the US Open Cup when now-Bundesliga superstar Tyler Adams came flying at Medunjanin at the top of the box? The Bosnian feinted, rounded the young buck, and fired home the first goal of the match.
That moment serves as a reminder that experience still plays a significant role in a sport that increasingly values energy, and that if Pomykal isn't careful he will find himself looking all Wile E. Coyote on the pitch Saturday. Creating extra time for himself is one of Medunjanin's most important attributes, so expect the mental game of chicken between these two to be fascinating as Pomykal seeks to close down Medunjanin before he can start the Union attack.
Medunjanin and Philly welcome FC Dallas for a thrilling early season matchup of young squads on April 6 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Talen Energy Stadium.
