Philadelphia has never defeated FC Dallas and breaking that streak when the two sides meet Saturday at Talen Energy Stadium in Chester, Pa., might be the key to the Union's season and their hopes for a spot in the MLS playoffs.
The Union (7-10-5, 26 points) are in ninth place in the Eastern Conference, six points behind Columbus for the East's final playoff spot. Philadelphia can ill afford to lose another game at home and understands the importance of picking up points in the final third of the season.
Philadelphia coach Jim Curtin recognizes that this is a crucial match for the Union and that his team needs to get it done at home.
"FC Dallas is a very dynamic, dangerous, attacking team," Curtin said. "They're a handful and a very good team overall. We're going to create chances like we always do, it's just a matter of being clinical. They have a deep team, a lot of talent, and a top team in the west."
The Union has seen success on its home turf of late with a 6-1-0 mark in their last seven matches. In five of the seven matches, the Union have not allowed their opponent to score a goal. During that seven-match home stretch, Philadelphia is outscoring its opponents 14-3.
"FC Dallas is a team that moves the ball very well," Union midfielder Chris Pontius said. "They have several options as far as attacking weapons and you have to be aware of those guys and be able to locate them in transition and keep their main players off the ball."
FC Dallas (9-4-7, 34 points) rests in second place in the Western Conference two points behind Sporting Kansas City, which has played 22 matches.
FCD will be without two starters Saturday as Carlos Gruezo and Atiba Harris will not see the pitch against the Union while serving one-match suspensions for red card and yellow card accumulation, respectively.
Because of injuries, Gold Cup and national team obligations (and now suspensions), FC Dallas has had numerous different lineups this season but has barely missed a beat off the pace that brought it the Supporters' Shield in 2016.
The team has used nine backline variations in its past nine matches and, according to coach Oscar Pareja, has adopted a next-man-up attitude.
"It's been difficult for us with the lack of consistency with our lineups, but we have also seen the positive part of that as other players have stepped up and embraced their opportunity," Pareja said. "Our performing hasn't changed much, and we have still been able to get points and get good results.
"We have respect for Philadelphia and we are going to try to fix and correct what we didn't do in the last game and learn from it. At this stage of the season, it's important to keep adding points."
FC Dallas has won five of the nine matches against the Union with four other games ending up as draws. The last meeting between the clubs was on the opening day of the 2016 season and produced a 2-0 FCD win.
Both clubs are looking for a switch of form. FC Dallas hopes to bounce back from a 4-0 loss to Vancouver at home last Saturday. The Union are hoping to put a 3-0 loss to the New England Revolution behind them.
"You can't take any team in this league lightly -- I think we learned that from Vancouver last week," FCD midfielder Ryan Hollingshead said. "We are looking forward to bouncing back and this will be a great opportunity to get some road points.
"Sometimes teams like Philadelphia are just pushing for anything they can and are trying to make something of their season and that have to get points in their final games to make that happen. That just adds to the danger they present to us."
