FRISCO, TEXAS – Blas Pérez makes his return to North Texas today as Vancouver Whitecaps FC visit Supporters' Shield front-runners FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium in arguably the 'Caps toughest test of the season to date.
KICKOFF: 3 p.m. PT | TV: TSN2 | RADIO: TSN 1040
Here are the storylines:
SUPER RATON RETURNS
Pérez is back at Toyota Stadium for the first time since joining Vancouver in February and will be playing in front of the fans that watched him score more than 35 goals in the previous four years.
The Panamanian striker has already called it 'a special game' earlier this week and we can expect him to put on a show for family and friends.
Matt Hedges will anchor the defence in the middle for FC Dallas and will have his hands full with the aggressive Pérez and/or the clever Masato Kudo.
Also making his return to Dallas is Andrew Jacobson, who wore the captain's armband for the side in 2014.
TOP OF THE TABLE
The Toros have launched their way to the top of the standings, thanks to a relentless attack that has scored 35 goals, just one off the league's highest scoring total.
However, head coach Óscar Pareja will be missing a key piece to his offence, with Fabian Castillo (five goals, five assists) reportedly on his way to Turkey.
Will Michael Barrios (six goals, one assist) be able to shoulder the extra burden up front?
TEXAS TWO-STEP
This will be the second of the two-leg Texas road swing for the 'Caps, after securing their first-ever point in 11 trips to the Lone Star State last week in Houston.
With the streak broken, the 'Caps may be able to breathe better in the southern heat but FC Dallas present another daunting task as they are undefeated in 11 home matches, having won eight of them.
Have the 'Caps solved what was previously a Texas-sized problem?
Tune in to TSN2 to find out.
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