FC Dallas vs Minnesota United FC Lineups
Maarten Paes made five saves to earn his first clean sheet of the season as FC Dallas held Minnesota United to a 0-0 draw. It was the Loons’ third straight domestic defeat.
Xherdan Shaqiri is still out with a knee injury but will return to training this week.
Wil Trapp and Hassani Dotson should start in defensive midfield for Minnesota. Kemar Lawrence took one shot and created a chance in the previous match, while Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Sang Bin Jeong made two crosses.
Jesus Ferreira
Jesus Ferreira was a key player for FC Dallas last season, as the striker scored 18 goals to help the club make the playoffs. The 22-year-old continues to impress this year and will look to lead the way for the Western Conference club against Minnesota United F.C. on Sunday at Allianz Field.
Ferreira will likely start for FC Dallas against Minnesota United. The diminutive forward has earned Berhalter’s trust as he continues to prove his versatility at the top level of MLS. He can draw defenders and drop deep to press while still getting into the final third and shooting at a solid rate.
He’s also a good target for crosses, and he’ll likely play centrally to allow his teammates to attack the space on either side. Ferreira can hold up the ball and combine with teammates, but he also thrives off taking a touch and making runs in behind.
Dallas is coming off a 3-1 loss to NYCFC last weekend, and they’ll be looking to return to winning ways when they host the Loons. Paul Arriola and Alan Velasco were both strong for the Toros in the defeat, and they’ll continue to be vital to Dallas’ success.
The Loons are expected to be without striker Emanuel Reynoso who’s back in Argentina. Mikael Marques is dealing with a sprained ankle, Ryen Jiba is nursing a knee injury, and Kervin Arriaga is questionable with a sore thigh. Forward Maarten Paes is also out with a hamstring problem. Despite the injuries, Minnesota is still expected to score a few goals on Sunday, and they’ll be hoping to improve on their current road record of one win and two losses.
Paul Arriola
Paul Arriola has a chance to make an impact for FC Dallas again this season. The midfielder, who missed out on a spot on the USMNT World Cup roster, is eager to get back in the starting lineup and play for a club that he considers his home.
He was a key contributor for Ben Olsen’s side last season, scoring six goals and providing 14 assists. Despite being limited by injuries at times, the California native was still a consistent performer for United. He also played an important role in the team’s World Cup qualifying campaign, featuring five matches.
FC Dallas will likely come out in a 4-3-3 formation, with Arriola playing just behind the front three of Jesus Ferreira and Alan Velasco. The trio has combined for five of the team’s six goals this season and will look to cause problems for Minnesota’s defence.
The Black & Gold are coming off their 0-0 draw with Seattle Sounders F.C. in a Week 8 matchup on the road. The club is currently tied with St. Louis for the second most points in the Western Conference after a perfect start to the season.
LAFC’s defence is one of the top units in the league, allowing just two goals this season. However, the defence has struggled to hold onto leads, which could be a problem against a Dallas team that scores late goals. The team must improve its defensive discipline to keep up with their competition. In addition, the defence must also improve its communication and organization on the field. This will help them play better together and prevent goals in the final third of the field.
Nkosi Tafari
Nkosi Tafari will likely start in the middle for FC Dallas when they take on Minnesota United on Sunday. The Toros have been vulnerable at the back this season, letting in four goals after conceding the first in their last three matches. In addition, they have also struggled to clog up their opponents’ space in midfield.
The home team is coming off a 1-1 draw against Vancouver and will look to rebound against their old rivals. The Loons, meanwhile, have lost their past three domestic games after winning the opener in Frisco. They can avoid their longest losing streak since 2021 if they win in Saint Paul.
Dallas’ starting lineup remains relatively stable despite the absences of several key players. Presumed starter Maarten Paes had an excellent debut season after joining from F.C. Utrecht, but he is still just 24 years old and can improve even more with a full campaign under his belt.
Behind him, the club has several interesting options to fill in as needed. Homegrown defender Antonio Carrera has been impressive in his limited starts, while veteran Facundo Quignon could see more playing time as the season progresses.
The back line should be the main focus for the hosts, with both Nkosi Tafari and Sebastien Ibeagha expected to feature prominently. Nkosi is a promising young player who has looked solid in his two starts this year, while Ibeagha scored the goal that momentarily drew FC Dallas level with Vancouver at Allianz Field. Both have the experience and the quality to succeed in this matchup. Moreover, both can provide some attacking depth to the team as well.
Sebastien Ibeagha
Last October, Minnesota United spoiled FC Dallas’ home opener by scoring a 1-0 win in Frisco. A few months later, they returned to Toyota Stadium with a chance to return the favour. And they delivered in style, putting on an impressive performance to defeat the hosts.
The Loons had a rough start to the season but have since recovered to find themselves in the playoff hunt. They have also had to contend with several off-field issues, including Designated Player Emanuel Reynoso’s absence due to personal reasons and a snowstorm that forced them to cancel training.
But they still look like one of the league’s best teams. Their attacking players have been clicking, and their defence gives them the foundation to be successful this season. And now, they’re facing a team that has struggled on the road all year and is in the midst of its worst stretch of MLS play in recent memory.
Sebastien Ibeagha is a solid centre-back that can be a valuable asset for the Loons. He signed a two-year deal with the club and has made 17 starts. He also has experience in the USL and played for Duke during his collegiate career.
He came off the bench to make a couple of key clearances in the win over Nashville SC and has been playing well overall for the Loons. He’s a solid option in the middle and will be an important part of their backline against the Timbers.
Zarek Valentin
Since arriving this season, Zarek Valentin has been a strong addition to the Dallas back line. The former Montreal Impact fullback started 27 games for Bodo/Glimt last year and scored one goal. He’s also solid in the air and has a good passing game, completing more than 75 % of his passes and 89% of his short passes. He didn’t get forward very often in Ramos’ system but should be able to do so this year. With Tim Parker and Teenage Hadebe providing defensive pillars in front of him, Valentin can move forward more frequently.
The Loons hope to avoid a third consecutive home loss when they take on FC Dallas on Sunday. They are one of the league’s bottom three teams and haven’t won a match at Allianz Field since early March. The team has a tough task ahead of them, as it faces a Dallas side averaging more than two goals per game on the road.
FC Dallas is still searching for its first win of the season after a 3-1 loss to New York City F.C. on April 22. The Toros outshot the city team 11 to 10, but they could not find the net.
MNUFC is led by several experienced players, including the club’s third Designated Player in midfielder Jan Gregus; defender Ike Opara, traded from Sporting Kansas City; and defender Romain Metanire, acquired from Reading F.C. The team also has young talent in forwards Jesus Ferreira, Paul Arriola, Nkosi Tafari and wingers Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Sebastien Ibeagha. Despite their early-season struggles, the Loons are a dangerous team.
