Round two of the Texas Derby kicks off Thursday night in Frisco (8 p.m., ROOT SPORTS) as the Houston Dynamo look to reclaim El Capitán for the first time since 2012 against FC Dallas. The Dynamo reeled off a 5-0 win in Week 2 of the season at BBVA Compass Stadium, and a win this week would secure the season series with one more game to play between the rivals.
Since the loss in Houston, FC Dallas has jumped to second place in the Western Conference standings with an 8-4-3 record (27 points). After three straight losses (3-0 at Portland, 4-0 at NYRB, 1-0 at Toronto FC), Dallas ran off three wins (2-1 vs. Portland, 2-0 vs. Seattle, 4-2 at New England) before a 0-0 draw in San Jose last Saturday. FCD is one of seven teams in MLS yet to lose at home (5-0-2).
Tesho Akindele and Michael Barrios lead FC Dallas with five goals each, while playmaker Mauro Diaz has led the way with five assists. Fabian Castillo has been quiet so far this year by his standards, but has still compiled three goals and two assists. FCD will be without Akindele—on international duty with Canada—and midfielder Carlos Gruezo as he represents Ecuador in the Copa America Centenario.
