Oppo Research: 5 Things about FC Dallas

In this edition of Oppo Research, Hudson River Blue spoke with Drew Epperley of Big D Soccer to learn more about FC Dallas, New York City's third straight road opponent on Friday night. Here is your NYCFC vs FC Dallas preview.

1. Lack of chemistry has led to Dallas's struggles

Hudson River Blue: After missing the playoffs in 2024 for the second time in four seasons, FC Dallas had a pretty active winter transfer window and brought in several first-team players after losing starters Paul Arriola, Jesús Ferreira, Nkosi Tafari, and Alan Velasco. With Dallas currently sitting five points outside a playoff spot, do you think this team is good enough to get over the line and make the postseason?

Drew Epperley: Does this team have the talent to get into the playoffs? Yes. But the big issue this season has been figuring out how to piece it all together on both ends of the field. Defensively, outside of Maarten Paes, the backline was practically brand new this season. The attack added some good pieces in Anderson Julio and Lucho Acosta. Overall, it’s been a collection of guys getting to know one another and figuring out how to play with one another. Because of that, the results have been mixed at best. Chemistry takes time. Figuring out a good formation with Acosta has really taken a lot of time, too.

The one big silver lining in all of this is that the last two results, a draw in San Jose and a win at home last weekend over St. Louis, have proven that this group has started to figure out some things about themselves. Defensively, I get a sense that this group has started to get a better understanding of what they need to do as a unit, and the communication involved is starting to click better. 

But back to the main question here, I do think they’re good enough to get over the line in the Western Conference — only if they continue to pick up wins at home. 

2. Petar Musa is the real deal

HRB: Former Slavia Prague and Benfica striker Petar Musa joined Dallas as a designated player in February 2024, signing for a club-record $9.7 million. Musa has lived up to the price tag: He scored a team-high 16 goals last year and leads Dallas this season with 11 goals and five assists in 20 matches. With Luciano Acosta struggling, how important is Musa’s offensive impact?

DE: Huge. Absolutely huge.

I was a bit skeptical of the signing last year, especially when he started off slow as he was acclimating to his new team, city, and league. Once he got rolling, though, he proved he was the real deal. This season, he appears to be stepping up a lot more both on and off the field. I get a sense that he has also taken some of the younger forwards like Logan Farrington under his wing a bit, and because of that, the chemistry in the attack right now with him leading the charge has been a lot of fun to watch. 

3. Dallas aren't good at home

HRB: With two wins in 11 games at Toyota Stadium this season, Dallas is the second-worst home team in MLS. It’s a huge contrast from last season, when Dallas won 10 of its 17 games at Toyota Stadium. What do you think has led to home struggles?

DE: I’ve talked a lot about the home struggles with fans, players, coaches, front office people. It’s definitely a weird thing for this organization to have such a bad spell at home. The chemistry issues the club faced earlier in the year were part of the problem. The other side was that they play a little tighter at home for some reason this year than they have in the past. Whereas on the road, they’re a bit looser and have picked up some good results in the process. 

I do think the ongoing construction at Toyota Stadium plays a part of it, too. Having half of the stadium cut off, you do lose that additional support as a player and that momentum builder that a good crowd can bring.

4. The X-Factor: Petar Musa

HRB: What's the X-factor that could decide this game?

DE: It goes back to Musa for me. He’s been lights out as of late. He has at least one goal in six out of the last nine games, including two over the weekend. If he is on and is fed the ball inside the penalty area, he’s tough to stop.

5. Predicted score, Starting XI

HRB: Prediction time: Starting XI? Final score?

DE: Score: 1-1.