FC Dallas vs San Jose Earthquakes | 2018 MLS Match Preview

FC Dallas vs. San Jose Earthquakes 2018 MLS Regular Season — Week 23 Toyota Stadium — Frisco August 4 - 8 pm ET WATCH: ESPN+, MLS LIVE on DAZN (Canada)

Two teams on opposite ends of the Western Conference standings square off Saturday night when FC Dallas attempts to extend a home unbeaten streak to 12 games, facing a San Jose Earthquakes side that hasnt won since May.

FC Dallas is coming off a 3-2 win at Sporting Kansas City, which stretched their lead atop the Western Conference to six points over LAFC, while San Jose played Real Salt Lake to a 0-0 draw, and have scored just once in their last four games.

San Jose earned a 1-0 win in Dallas in the last meeting between the two teams, which ended an eight-game winless run against FC Dallas.

FC Dallas

It seems like every move Oscar Pareja makes turns to gold for FC Dallas (12-3-6), which defeated Sporting, 3-2, at Childrens Mercy Park on Saturday.

Pareja moved Michael Barrios to forward, and the Colombian struck for his first three goals of the season and first career MLS hat trick — on three shots, no less. He opened the scoring in the 23rd minute and, after Gerso Fernandes leveled in the 50th minute, struck two more times in a 12-minute span before Daniel Salloi struck deep in stoppage time.

“Ive learned through the times that any team is not an easy one. We have such respect for San Jose and their coach and obviously the players,” Pareja said. “We have had moments as well when things haven’t bounced in our way and teams try, teams fight so we are taking this game like always, with a lot of professionalism and knowing they are a good side and the goal is the same, trying to get those three points.”

Projected Starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left) GK: Jesse Gonzalez — Reggie Cannon, Matt Hedges, Reto Ziegler, Marquinhos Pedroso — Carlos Gruezo, Victor Ulloa — Roland Lamah, Maxi Urruti, Tesho Akindele — Michael Barrios

San Jose Earthquakes

The San Jose Earthquakes (2-12-7) ended a three-match losing streak, but their winless run stretched to 12 games with a 0-0 draw against Real Salt Lake Saturday at Avaya Stadium.

Quincy Amarikwa had a golden chance to give the Quakes the lead in the 65th minute of that match, but his shot caromed off the crossbar.

“I think we were a little bit better, but I agree it was an equal game,” Mikael Stahre said. “Actually, from my perspective, it was one of the best performances for this season. I think we defended quite compact and solid, and we created enough chances to win this game. Of course, I cant be happy with a tie at home, but I’m quite pleased with the performance in general.”

Projected Starting XI (4-4-2, right to left) GK: Andrew Tarbell — Nick Lima, Guram Kashia, Harold Cummings, Shea Salinas — Magnus Eriksson, Anibal Godoy, Luis Felipe Fernandes, Tommy Thompson — Quincy Amarikwa, Vako

Officials

Referee: Dave Gantar Assistant Referees: Frank Anderson, Nick Uranga 4th Official: Silviu Petrescu VAR: Ramy Touchan