FC Dallas vs Philadelphia Union Predictions

• FC Dallas finished in 13th position overall last season, losing in the playoffs to eventual winners, Seattle Sounders.
• Philadelphia Union ended up in 5th place in the overall table, losing to Atlanta in the playoffs.
• Dallas scored 54 goals in 34 games, conceding 46 times with their matches seeing an average of 2.9 goals per game.
• Philadelphia Union scored 58 times but conceded 50 goals, ending with the season with a goal per game average of 3.2.

Dallas hoping to improve after average 2019 season

FC Dallas had an unremarkable season in 2019, never really pushing for the top of the table but always being slightly ahead in the race for a playoff position. This was helped by their usual approach of homegrown youngsters and a few, select players of real quality. The blueprint has long been key to how Dallas plays and this season looks to be no exception.

The arrival of Thiago Santos is a direct replacement for Carlos Gruezo, who left for Germany last year whilst Dallas fans will have to wait to see their new striker in action with Franco Jara not slated to join the side until the mid-season transfer window. The rest of the side remains primarily the same though with Luchi Gonzalez showing faith with the side that made the playoffs last season.

2019 saw Dallas score 54 goals, an average of 1.58 goals per game, but they struggled to have a pure goalscorer with Jesus Ferreira finishing as their top scorer with eight goals. Defensively the side did well though with just 1.35 goals being conceded on average, a figure that largely came down to the defensive capabilities of Matt Hedges and Reto Ziegler, both of whom will be instrumental to the teams success once more.

Improvement key for Philadelphia Union in 2020

Philadelphia Union had a great season in 2019, finishing in fifth place overall and missing out on CONCACAF Champions League football by just one point. Three losses in their last four games was the main factor behind this with the side struggling to pick up points at the most vital point of the season. In the playoffs they once again couldn’t cross the line when it mattered, being eliminated by Atlanta United in the quarter finals.

The side have looked towards Europe to help them take the next step with Jamiro Monteiro joining the club on a permanent deal whilst Matej Oravec and Jakob Glesnes also make the swap from European clubs to attempt to give Union the edge. Much of their success will come down to whether Kacper Przybylko can maintain the excellent form he showed in 2019, where he scored 15 goals in 26 games.

Philadelphia scored 58 goals last season, the second highest amount in the Eastern Conference but they conceded 50 times, a figure too high for a team hoping to really challenge for the Supporters’ Shield. Their final few weeks of the season didn’t help their cause with the side conceding eight times in their final five matches of the season and to take the next step forward, Union need to find a way to get points when it matters.

The season starts with both sides hoping for a positive result

Both of these sides have a proud tradition in MLS and will be hoping that this will be the season where they take giant steps forward and challenge for trophies. There doesn’t appear to be a lot to pick from between the two sides though with both possessing some quality players but both equally have some doubts over whether they can perform when it matters.

Goals do seem likely between these two sides though with Dallas games averaging 2.9 goals last season and Philadelphia seeing their fixtures have an average of 3.2 goals each. Their attacking style of both teams should see plenty of chances in the final third and we’re backing the 2.5 goal line to be beaten in this match as both look for a win to get their season off to a perfect start.

The only real difference to be found between these two sides is the home advantage for Dallas and we believe that could be the only thing that tips things in the Texans favour this weekend. We’re predicting that Dallas win this game by a slender margin, eventually sending Philadelphia home empty handed with a 2-1 win for the hosts.