When: 7 p.m., Saturday
Where: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
TV/Radio: Altitude, 950 AM
Spotlight on Mauro Diaz
Playing the No. 10 position for FCD, the diminutive Argentine (5-foot-7, 137 pounds) is second in the league in assists with nine, one fewer than league-leader Sacha Kljestan of the New York Red Bulls, despite missing six games. He has had four two-assist games this season, seven in his MLS career. He gives opponents fits and is drawing 3.125 fouls per game (50 in 16 games), the highest rate in MLS. An international designated player, Diaz is the son of a former professional soccer player. Before coming to FCD he played six seasons for River Plate, one of the most famous teams in South America.
Rapids: Colorado (10-2-7) has conceded the fewest goals in the league 13, eight fewer than the next best (Los Angeles). Colorado has not lost since April 9 and has not lost at home since October. Only 19 games into a 34-game season, the Rapids have 37 points, equaling their season totals of 2012 and 2015. They are 8-0-2 at home, a record that is equal to or better than eight of their nine previous seasons.
Dallas: In the standings, FCD (12-6-4) leads the league with 40 points — three more than Colorado — but it has played three more games than the Rapids. FCD has been stout at home, but has absorbed some heavy defeats on the road (5-0 at Houston and Seattle, 4-0 at New York Red Bulls, 3-0 at Vancouver). On the road it has scored 11 goals and conceded 23. It comes to Colorado having played Wednesday, a 1-0 victory over Houston in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup.
Footnotes: FCD historically has been a difficult opponent, but not last year. The teams drew two games in Commerce City and the Rapids won 4-0 at FCD. Dallas coach Oscar Pareja coached Colorado two seasons before bolting to FCD in 2014. His record against Colorado: 3-1-2.
