FC Dallas is far away from being one of the worst teams in the Major League Soccer like they were two years ago. They are now heading to face Sporting Kansas City with the possibility of becoming the leaders of the Western Conference in the 28th game of the season.
The team looks for a fourth straight win which included its most recent victory against Andrea Pirlo and New York City FC at Toyota Stadium by 2-1. Their last loss was against Vancouver Whitecaps in a game that ended 1-0 in favor of the team that is in first place as of this Thursday.
Over the course of the 2015 season, FC Dallas has faced Sporting KC three times and has lost its last two. The last time both teams met at Sporting Park in Kansas, it was during the Open Cup and the home team won 6-2. FC Dallas coach, Oscar Pareja, knows exactly what went wrong that time and how they can improve.
"The last time we played in Kansas we were really unorganized. I think we need to regain a certain order and that the team goes to Kansas with a mentallity to show that they are a unit and that it works well tactically."
Pareja added that the goals would come by if the team worked well during the game. FC Dallas has struggled on the road. While they have scored 40 goals at home, they have only added a total of 15 oustide of Toyota Stadium. Fabian Castillo, the leading scorer (9) on the team, is motivated by the challenge of playing Kansas with the opportunity to come back as the Western Conference leaders.
"It's motivating. I think pressure is something that comes with being a soccer player throughout your whole career. So more than feeling pressured, I believe it's motivating for us," Castillo added.
Dallas currently sits second in the Western Conference, after finishing in fourth last season. They have won 14 games, tied eight and lost five so far, adding a total of 47 points. The team will visit Steven Gerrard and L.A. Galaxy next before returning home for the Texas Derby against Houston.
