FC Dallas

FC Dallas skids into matchup with Red Bulls (Sep 02, 2017)

Published Sep. 1, 2017 8:58 p.m. ET

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AP

FRISCO, Texas -- Mired in a slump, FC Dallas is facing a real danger of falling out of the MLS playoff picture in a tightly contested Western Conference.

FC Dallas enters its match with the New York Red Bulls on Saturday in desperate need of three points. Dallas (9-7-9) hasn't won since July and is battling a six-game winless streak. It has allowed 14 goals in that stretch while only scoring four.

The good news for the Hoops is that they do have multiple games in hand over Seattle, Portland and San Jose. Another positive development is that Dallas held onto its best attacking players Maxi Urruti and Michael Barrios.

Argentine club San Lorenzo made a bid to acquire the duo, but FC Dallas turned down transfer offers totaling $5 million on Wednesday. Both Urruti and Barrios are determined to stick around and help the team make a playoff push.

"The message from them is they're here for their teammates and the message to our fans is we're here to win a championship," FC Dallas owner Dan Hunt told MLSSoccer.com.

The duo are the heart and soul of the Hoops' offense. Urruti has a team-high 12 goals. Barrios is second among MLS players with 12 assists.

Getting a strong performance from Urruti and Barrios may be what Dallas needs to finally experience some success against New York.

The Red Bulls (12-10-3) have beaten Dallas in four straight league games dating to 2012 and earned clean sheets in three of those games. New York is coming off a 1-1 draw with city rival New York City FC and is unbeaten in five of its last seven matches.

Now the Red Bulls hit the road for four of five matches in September. Dallas starts a swing that will also see New York visit Columbus, Chicago and Toronto before month's end.

Depth and versatility on the roster have helped the Red Bulls win three of their last five road games and the team feels confident it can continue down the same trajectory heading into October.

"We know it is going to be a tough stretch, but I think that we are happy with the depth that we have built here," defender Connor Lade told MLSSoccer.com. "I think we have multiple guys here that can play multiple positions and step in and be a seamless transition."

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