There will be plenty on the line when improving FC Dallas square off against enigmatic Austin FC on Wednesday in the latest match for the Copa Tejas in Frisco, Texas.
The sides have split their two matches this season, with Austin winning at home on March 30 and the Toros responding with a victory in Frisco on May 11.
The Verde can claim Copa Tejas, a supporter-created trophy won by the team with the best head-to-head records between the three Texas-based squads, for the third consecutive year with a win or a draw in Frisco. Dallas would win the cup only if they win.
Austin (8-9-6, 30 points) has dropped two of its past three matches, including a 1-0 decision at home to the Seattle Sounders on Saturday.
The Verde played the final 13 minutes and stoppage time with just 10 players after Brendan Hines-Ike received a second yellow card in the match’s 77th minute, all but dooming the club’s chances at producing an equalizing goal.
Austin begins the league’s midweek set of matches in 10th place, tied in points but one position behind Minnesota United for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
“We’ve got to focus on doing our part,” Verde coach Josh Wolff said after Saturday’s loss. “We’ve got to keep pushing forward. It’s a challenging season — we knew that from the beginning.”
Austin has been shut out eight times this season, and its 25 goals are the fewest in the West and second-fewest in MLS behind the New England Revolution’s 21. Sebastian Driussi and Jader Obrian top the Verde’s scoring ledger with five goals apiece.
Dallas (7-11-5, 26 points) are a spot behind the Verde in the West standings after a 2-0 win at home on Saturday over the Los Angeles Galaxy. The Toros got goals from Petar Musa and Logan Farrington in the win, ending a two-match losing streak in which Sporting Kansas City beat them in league play and the U.S. Open Cup.
Twenty-three of Dallas’ 26 points this season have been captured at home.
“A lot of teams after two losses kind of put their heads down,” Farrington said. “We didn’t do that. We came out here to win and we showed our fans that we can play against any team in the league.”
Musa leads the team with 12 goals in MLS play. Maarten Paes — who will be the goalkeeper for the league in its All-Star Game against Liga MX on July 23 — has five clean sheets this season for the Toros.
Dallas owns a 6-3 all-time edge over the Verde, with two draws.
–Field Level Media
