The pressure is mounting on FC Dallas as they are — like many other teams — in a must-win scenario. On Wednesday, they host FC Juarez, a team from LIGA MX looking to reach the knockout stage of the Leagues Cup for a second straight year in a West 3 encounter at Toyota Stadium at 9 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass.
Dallas is coming off a 2-1 loss in St. Louis on Saturday and it is safe to say that their future in the tournament is on the line. A win would put them in a good position heading into the final leg of the group stage even on their bye, but a 90-minute tie and penalty shootout extra point would force their destiny into someone else’s control. A loss would mean elimination.
A key player for FC Dallas is Paul Arriola, someone that creates chances on offense and also scores goals when his team needs them; he also knows Mexican teams very well after his time with Club Tijuana. He holds a Mexican passport through his great-grandparents. It's always special when he gets to face LIGA MX teams.
Juarez, on the other hand, is looking to maintain their Leagues Cup prestige by advancing to the next round once again. In the previous edition of the tournament, the team was placed along with Mazatlán and Austin FC, finishing with four points after beating the MLS team and tying with the one from LIGA MX, even after losing the penalty kicks round. They were later eliminated by LAFC — but look for more this time.
The Bravos are also trying to find their rhythm early in the season as they currently are in 15th place with one point after four games in the LIGA MX table. One of their most important players is Francisco Calvo, a defender from Costa Rica that knows MLS very well after spending stints with Minnesota United, Chicago Fire and San Jose. However, for Juarez goalkeeper Benny Diaz it’s an even more special game, as he grew up in Texas and he is set to play against a team he grew up watching.
The are plenty of reasons to tune in to this one as teams all around the Leagues Cup are fighting for a spot in the knockout stage to put themselves one step closer to the final.
