FC DALLAS v. SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC

Greetings to my brothers and sisters in Green. The new moon lights / the sky at night / x x x x / deep in the hearrrrrrt of Renton. Sounders FC travel to Planet Texas for a showdown at Hunt Way against the Dallas.

What: MLS league match, FC Dallas v. Seattle Sounders FC.

Where: Hunt Way, Frisco, Texas.

When: 5:30 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, Saturday 12 April 2025 CE.

At Stake: Sounders are currently 23rd in the league on six points. A victory could place us as high as 18th, although that scenario depends on goal difference and LAFC (SJ), Salt Lake (@NSH) , and Atlanta (NE) all failing to earn a point. I get it, that’s bleak, but if we’re being honest with ourselves, that’s where we are at present.

Where to Watch: MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.

Where to Listen: KJR 950 AM and El Rey 1360 AM.

Alright, so in the rest of this article, I have to be a journalist and be objective. In this part though, I can be 100% biased in favour of our Boys in Green. Things are not well. That means it’s the most important time to show support, and that support must reflect the strength of the supporters and fans of Sounders FC in order to better chuff up the lads. Unfortunately, with ours on the road, the best most of us can do is channel positive psychic energy their way.

If you’re making your way out to the Hunt Way ground in Frisco, Texas, look after one another and make sure to tie your scarves proper. Be loud. Drown out the Dallas’ home support. Make it quite clear that there are no easy matches to be had against the Sounders FC. We may not be able to win every match, and that wouldnae be much fun to watch anyweh, but if you’re fixin’ to turn us over, you had bloody well better bring your ‘A’ game. Also: Try not to catch the measles. Something I thought I would never have to say out loud in my lifetime. Ever.

It’s Sounders FC football, under the lights at Hunt Way. GO ON YOU SOUNDERS!!! GET IN!!!

Before kick-off, please join me in the auld toast: “TO THE SEATTLE SOUNDERS FOOTBALL CLUB…AND VICTORY!!!”

Will the lads be able to turn it around on Sat?

The Good News

Statistically, the San Diego match wasn’t as lopsided as the final score. Sounders FC had the better of possession (56.8%), shots at goal were level (4:4), our passing accuracy was nearly 5% better, we had more corner kicks (5:3), we won more aerial duels (8:5), we carried most of the play in the second half, and San Diego needed to foul us 22 times to keep us in check.

In a worst-case scenario where Morris, Rusnak, Musovski, and Alex are all unavailable, we still can put out a side featuring Frei, Nouhou, Ragen, Gomez Andrade, Kossa-Rienzi, Cristian, Vargas, de la Vega, Ferreira and Rothrock. That’s a team with a fair amount of quality in it.

The Bad News

The US Open Cup 3rd Round tie between Seattle Sounders FC Reserves and Oakland Roots SC has finally been added to the schedule on the club’s website, six days before the match is to be played. The fixture is set for 15 April, 7:30 p.m. PDT at Starfire, and was released several days ago. It is a national embarrassment that MLS and the United States FA don’t do a better job of promoting this tournament.

We’ve been shut out three of the last four matches and managed only two goals in our last five matches in all competitions.

Sounders newboy Ryan Kent can’t play ’til he gets his work visa straightened out. Then we’ll see if our scouts and coaches found something in Kent that Fenerbahce and Jose Mourinho overlooked when they abruptly gave him the sack.

It’s possible that Morris (hamstring), Alex (quadriceps), Musovski (back), and Rusnak (adductor) may all be unavailable due to injury. Counterpoint: The Gaffer hasn’t ruled any of the three out for Saturday’s fixture. So, for the record, they’re all struggling with injuries but also could all play on Sat. I don’t understand it either. UPDATE: Alex and Rusnak are out. Morris and Musovski have been cleared to make the trip to Dallas.

The Side I Would Select

I’d say, given recent results, our first-choice players need a rest, both mentally and physically. I’d have this lot. Time to get a much clearer picture of the future of our club.

Rationale:

We’ve played four more matches than many of our league opponents. Injuries have a taken a toll, though we’re starting to get our injured players back, minus Arriola who is likely out for the season. Sousa over Nouhou as he’s had excellent form with the Reserves in the left-back role. Hawkins over Gomez Andrade so he can rest. Leyva over Cristian so he can rest. Kossa-Rienzi over Alex so he can rest. Tsukanome because he’s scored six goals in five matches - a hat-trick against Vancouver Whitecaps FC Reserves Sunday night. We’re not scoring goals. Tsukanome scores goals. Musovski is suffering from a back issue, and was clearly in a fair amount of discomfort before he finished his 28 minute shift. Our centre-forwards are Morris and Musovski, and they’re both hurt. Therefore: Tsukanome.

GK     Thomas

LB     Sousa

LCH    Ragen

RCH    Hawkins

RB     Kossa-Rienzi

LDM    Leyva

RDM    Vargas

LF     Rothrock

CAM   Tsukanome

RF     de la Vega

CF     Ferreira

The Side I Think The Gaffer Will Select

You’ll likely see most of the same lot that got cut apart by San Diego minus Alex and Rusnak. Morris has been considered fit to make the trip to Dallas, but I doubt we’ll see him except perhaps as a substitute, as the Gaffer is generally careful with players that are returning to fitness. A sensible precaution. Kossa-Rienzi seems to be favoured over Baker when Alex is out. Up front the picture is a bit more murky. This is my best guess in the current favoured 5-2-3 shape.

GK     Frei

LB     Rothrock

LCH    Nouhou

CH     Ragen

RCH    Gomez Andrade

RB     Kossa-Rienzi

LDM    Vargas

RDM   Cristian

LF     de la Vega

CF     Ferreira

RF     Minoungou

Intangibles

Where the rubber meets the road.

Results have been poor. The Sounders’ start this Spring is tied for the second-worst since Schmetzer took the managerial reins at 1-3-3, which is identical to our record through the first seven matches last season. Injuries can’t be an excuse. Playing in CONCACAF can’t be an excuse as we were eliminated in early March. How do management and football operations right the ship?

Officiating.

The Referee for Saturday night’s match will be Filip Dujic.

Dallas record with Dujic as Ref: 1-2-1

Sounders FC record with Dujic as Ref: 2-1-0

Road woes.

Sounders are poor and sliding toward abysmal on the road (1-1-4 overall, 0-1-3 MLS). Add to that we tend to not get consistent results at Frisco. Sounders FC are 4-7-7 all-time in the league when playing FC Dallas at the Hunt Way ground.

Ripe for the taking?

Dallas are having their own struggles and have only one victory at home (1-0-2). The Dallas defence are bleeding as many goals as they are scoring. Counterpoint: Dallas are unbeaten in their last three matches (2-1-0), defeating Salt Lake (away) and Kansas City and drawing with Atlanta.

A dish best served cold?

Leo Chu was sold from Sounders FC to the Dallas in the off-season. I imagine he’ll be highly motivated to put one over on his old mates. Counterpoint: Jesus Ferreira was sold from Dallas to Sounders FC and should be equally motivated.

We are being outspent.

Dallas off-season transfer spend: €14.57M

Sounders off-season transfer spend: €1.25M

General notes on personnel

Sounders FC transfers IN:

Dodzi - reserves contract

Dallas transfers IN:

“Pedrinho” Martins - reserves (by way of Flamengo)

Ramiro Benetti (Cruzeiro) free

Abubakar (Colorado Rapids) free

Anderson Julio (Real Salt Lake) €384,000

Moore (Nashville SC) €48,000

Leo Chu (Seattle Sounders FC) €1.83M + Ferreira + international roster slot

Collodi - reserves

Molina - reserves

Garcia - reserves

Ramirez - reserves

Baran - reserves

Pepi - reserves

Delgado (Independiente del Valle) €2.5M

Newman - draft

Urhoghide (Amiens SC) €3M

Acosta (FC Cincinnati) €4.8M

Alvaro Augusto (Portimonense SC) undisclosed

Kaick (Gremio) €3.7M

Dallas transfers OUT:

Ansah (FC Ashdod) free

Fraser (Crawley Town) free

Gonzalez (Chicago Fire) free

Illarramendi - released

Korca (NK Dubrava ZG) free

Maurer (Houston Dynamo) free

Parker - released

Ruan (Atletico Goianiense) free

Henry-Scott (Lexington SC) free

Sealy (CF Montreal) free

Twumasi - released

Junqua (Real Salt Lake) undisclosed

Ferreira (Seattle Sounders FC) €1.45M

Arriola (Seattle Sounders FC) up to €275,000 + Sounders 2026 1st round draft pick

Pondeca (New Mexico United) loan

Tafari (Los Angeles FC) €290,000

Velasco (Boca Juniors) €9.6M

Sali (Al-Riyadh) loan

Pepi (Texoma FC) loan

Endeley (Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC) loan

Comparison against common opponents

HOU 1:2 DAL

SEA 0:0 HOU

(against HOU: DAL 1-0-0 +1, SEA 0-1-0 0) edge DAL

RSL 0:1 DAL

RSL 2:0 SEA

(against RSL: DAL 1-0-0 +1, SEA 0-0-1 -2) decisive edge DAL

Know Thine Enemy

The Dallas as they lined up in their 1:1 draw against Atlanta United on 5 April at Mangum Street.

GOALKEEPER

Maarten Paes, 26

Indonesia (8/0)

Notable Clubs: FC Utrecht (44/0), FC Dallas (98/0)

Estimated Transfer Value: €1.8M

Notes: Developed by VV Union and NEC Nijmegen.

DEFENCE

Nolan Norris, 20

United States

Notable Clubs: FC Dallas (8/0)

Estimated Transfer Value: €100,000

Notes: Developed by FC Dallas. Has played at youth levels for United States (19/0).

Osaze Urhoghide, 24

Netherlands

Notable Clubs: Sheffield Wednesday (19/0), Oostende (34/0), Amiens (35/2), FC Dallas (7/0)

Estimated Transfer Value: €600,000

Notes: Developed by CD Hounslow United and Wimbledon.

Sebastien Ibeagha, 33

United States

Notable Clubs: AC Horsens (17/0), Fram Reykjavik (19/1), San Antonio FC (30/0), New York City FC (64/0), Los Angeles FC (30/0), FC Dallas (69/3)

Estimated Transfer Value: €400,000

Notes: Developed by Houston Dynamo. Played his university football for Duke (70/8). Nigerian by birth, Ibeagha was named USL Defender of the Year and to the USL All-League First Team during his time at San Antonio FC. Won MLS Cup and league double with LAFC.

Shaq Moore, 28

United States (21/1)

Notable Clubs: Huracan (6/0), Levante (6/0), Reus (9/0), Tenerife (90/1), Nashville SC (66/1), FC Dallas (7/0)

Estimated Transfer Value: €1.2M

Notes: Developed by IMG Academy, FC Dallas, and Huracan. Won a CONCACAF Gold Cup with United States. Named to CONCACAF Gold Cup Best XI 2021.

MIDFIELD

Sebastian Lletget, 32 (currently injured and out this match)

United States (33/8)

Notable Clubs: LA Galaxy (158/23), New England Revolution (19/2), FC Dallas (67/3)

Estimated Transfer Value: €1M

Notes: Developed by Sporting Santa Clara and West Ham United. Played for West Ham once in the FA Cup but never in the league. Won a CONCACAF Gold Cup with United States 2021. Won CONCACAF Nations League with United States 2019-20.

Luciano Acosta, 30

Argentina

Notable Clubs: Boca Juniors (25/2), Estudiantes (27/1), DC United (126/24), Atlas (33/3), FC Cincinnati (125/48), FC Dallas (7/3)

Estimated Transfer Value: €8M

Notes: Developed by Comunicaciones and Boca Juniors. Won an MLS league championship with FC Cincinnati. Named MLS MVP 2023. Named four times to MLS Best XI.

Ramiro Benetti, 31

Brazil

Notable Clubs: Juventude (24/2), Gremio (251/23), Corinthians (117/5), Al-Wasl (34/2), Cruzeiro (33/3), FC Dallas (7/0)

Estimated Transfer Value: €700,000

Notes: Full name: Ramiro Moschen Benetti. Developed by Juventude. Won a Copa do Brasil, Copa Libertadores, Recopa Sudamericana with Gremio.

FORWARD

Patrickson Delgado, 21

Ecuador

Notable Clubs: Independiente Juniors (41/5), Independiente del Valle (6/0), FC Dallas (29/4)

Estimated Transfer Value: €800,000

Notes: Developed by Independiente del Valle. Has played for Ecuador U20s (9/0).

Petar Musa, 27

Croatia (6/0)

Notable Clubs: Slavia Prague (30/11), Viktoria Zizkov (34/11), Slovan Liberec (28/7), Union Berlin (14/1), Boavista (27/11), Benfica (44/12), FC Dallas (37/19)

Estimated Transfer Value: €7M

Notes: Developed by Hrvatski Dragovoljac and NK Zagreb. Won two Czech First League titles and a Czech Cup with Slavia Prague. Won a Premeira Liga title and a Supertaca Candido de Oliveira (Portuguese Super Cup) with Benfica. Shared a Czech First League Golden Boot with Libor Kozak seeing each player score 14 goals). Named Czech First League Forward of the Year 2019-20.

Leo Chu, 24

Brazil

Notable Clubs: Gremio (4/0), Ceara (22/3), Seattle Sounders FC (79/7), FC Dallas (3/1)

Estimated Transfer Value: €3.5M

Notes: Full name: Leonardo Alves Chu Franco. Developed by Gremio. Won a CONCACAF Champions League with Seattle Sounders FC.

Familiar Faces

Dallas forward Leo Chu played for the Sounders FC (79/7) from 2021-2024.

Squads

Dallas from:

Paes, Carrera, Collodi, Abubakar, Alvaro Augusto, Endeley, Ibeagha, Moore, Newman, Norris, Urhoghide, Acosta, Patrickson Delgado, Garcia, Kaick, Ntsabeleng, Pedrinho, Ramirez, Ramiro, Show, Leo Chu, Farrington, Anderson Julio, Kamungo, Musa, Scott.

Sounders FC from:

Frei, Thomas, Baker, Baker-Whiting, Bell, Burney, Gomez Andrade, Kim, Kossa-Rienzi, Nouhou, Ragen, Sousa, Joao Paulo, Leyva, Cristian, Vargas, de la Vega, Ferreira, Kent, Minoungou, Morris, Musovski, Rothrock.

Note: Musovski has a persistent back problem so I don’t expect to see him in this match. Hawkins played the full 90 minutes for the Reserves on Thursday night, so I wouldn’t expect to see him either. Burney came on as a substitute for the Reserves on Thursday, but he only played a bit over 30 minutes, so I listed him as available for selection in the squad.

Injury List

(as listed on mlssoccer.com at press time)

Dallas -

OUT: Farfan (legs), Geovane Jesus (knee), Lletget (leg), Pomykal (knee).

MATCHDAY DECISION: none.

Sounders FC -

OUT: Alex (quadriceps), Rusnak (adductor), Arriola (knee).

MATCHDAY DECISION: none.

Discipline

(as listed on mlssoccer.com at press time)

No players suspended from either squad.

Fun Fact

Cameroon and Sounders FC left-back Nouhou played in his 250th match in all competitions last Sat in San Diego. Congratulations on your milestone, Nouhou! Well done!!!