FC Dallas is coming into this one on a bit of a hot note, having just defeated Vancouver 2-0 and Colorado 3-2. While those results have somewhat helped us maintain our position in the table, that sort of form coming into the Rio Tinto is slightly daunting.
Formations: Switching things up
This is an FC Dallas side that quite actively adapts their formation to the match at hand and their playing personnel available. They've ranged this season from playing a traditional 4-4-2 to, more recently, a 4-2-3-1 — all of this more recent action seems to have worked somewhat, as their form and results have improved significantly.
Their most recent two match ups illustrate clearly the different approaches they've taken (although they have technically played in the same formation, the differences are clear.) In their 3-2 win over Colorado a week ago (a win for which it is hard to not have some affection for the Texans) they employed a flank-heavy look and managed two goals from long shots. In Wednesday's result against Vancouver (staving off the wolves from RSL's backs, perhaps?), they played a bit deeper in the midfield and entirely surrendered the right flank. Indeed, in general, FC Dallas has proved a more left-sided team than most others.
For Real Salt Lake, who have been one of the most consistent sides — if not the singly most consistent — in approach and formation over the last four seasons (with varying levels of success, although I'd point quite firmly at RSL's generally excellent results), FC Dallas could employ a fairly static two-banks-of-four approach to stifle creativity in the final third.
But if the two matches we played earlier this season are any indication, RSL fans could be subject to some further late drama, having found the Claret-and-Cobalt already not lacking at all in that sort of flair.
The Ferreira Factor
All these tactical and strategic switches seem to be focused on getting the best out of returning attacking midfielder David Ferreira — the victim of a broken ankle from a bad tackle only weeks before Javier Morales was taken out of contention for most of 2011. His return has already seen him gather 707 minutes of play, during which he's found 26 key passes — giving him the second-best rate in MLS at one every 27.2 minutes — just over 3 per match on average. Of course, Javier Morales isn't far behind in fourth place, at 28.3 minutes per key pass.
With that excellent key pass rate come assists: Five assists from nine matches is nothing to shake a stick at. Ferreira is one of the major heartbeats of this Dallas side, and their uptick in form could be attributed almost directly to him. But having gone 90 minutes twice in the last 7 days, Schellas Hyndman may be inclined to rest his playmaker rather than risk fatigue so early after returning from a horrific injury.
RSL and Rotation
After three of RSL's four established international players went 90 minutes in midweek, changes are almost assuredly set to be rung in, especially with Tuesday's CONCACAF Champions League matchup against FC Tauro looming. Chances for Yordany Alvarez, Jonny Steele and perhaps Justin Braun seem to be coming, and given Kreis's recent comments, it would be hard to not imagine further changes. Whoever comes out, they'll need to watch for David Ferreira and his magical passing abilities. Further, a concentrated focus on attacking down the right side while remaining defensively solid on the left could lead to some very interesting switches in personnel.
It is worth considering that FC Dallas will be playing their third game in 8 days: Will this give RSL a chance to capitalize on tired legs without burning out their own? Suddenly, these Western Conference match-ups are looking very juicy indeed.
Along with contributing to RealSaltLake.com, Matt Montgomery runs the almost-daily RSL blog Under the Crossbar. Follow Matt on Twitter @TheCrossbarRSL.
