FC Dallas will play host to the New York Red Bulls in the opening game of the MLS Cup Playoffs on Wednesday night.
Dallas go into this game as the top seeded wildcard team and will earn an MLS Cup quarterfinal at Sporting Kansas City this weekend if they win here. New York will earn a trip to face the MLS Supporter’s Shield winning Los Angeles Galaxy if they manage to win in Texas.
Brek Shea, Kevin Hartman and captain Daniel Hernandez are expected to play for Dallas after being rested for last weekend’s 4-2 defeat at the hands of the San Jose Earthquakes. Playmaker David Ferreira remains sidelined with injury for the Hoops.
Defender George John will lead a Dallas backline that will be charged with shackling French superstar Thierry Henry. John has encouraged his teammates to focus on the task at hand ahead of the playoffs.
“We just need to regroup as a team and follow the leadership of our captain Daniel Hernandez and coach Schellas (Hyndman),” John told the official FC Dallas website. “I have the utmost faith in our coach and the leadership of our team that they will lead us in the right direction. We’ll be more than prepared for Wednesday.”
Henry will return for the Red Bulls after being suspended for their regular season ending 1-0 win over the Philadelphia Union.
Henrys strike partner Luke Rodgers is struggling with a knee problem and his chances of playing were described as “50-50” by New York head coach Hans Backe.
Backe told the official New York Red Bulls website that if Rodgers cannot go, it is likely that Dane Richards will move up top to partner Henry, with young star Juan Agudelo replacing the Jamaican on the right flank.
The game will be nationally televised on ESPN 2 at 9pm (Eastern Time).
Brek Shea, Kevin Hartman and captain Daniel Hernandez are expected to play for Dallas after being rested for last weekend’s 4-2 defeat at the hands of the San Jose Earthquakes. Playmaker David Ferreira remains sidelined with injury for the Hoops.
Defender George John will lead a Dallas backline that will be charged with shackling French superstar Thierry Henry. John has encouraged his teammates to focus on the task at hand ahead of the playoffs.
“We just need to regroup as a team and follow the leadership of our captain Daniel Hernandez and coach Schellas (Hyndman),” John told the official FC Dallas website. “I have the utmost faith in our coach and the leadership of our team that they will lead us in the right direction. We’ll be more than prepared for Wednesday.”
Henry will return for the Red Bulls after being suspended for their regular season ending 1-0 win over the Philadelphia Union.
Henrys strike partner Luke Rodgers is struggling with a knee problem and his chances of playing were described as “50-50” by New York head coach Hans Backe.
Backe told the official New York Red Bulls website that if Rodgers cannot go, it is likely that Dane Richards will move up top to partner Henry, with young star Juan Agudelo replacing the Jamaican on the right flank.
The game will be nationally televised on ESPN 2 at 9pm (Eastern Time).
