FC Dallas vs NYCFC: There’s No Stopping Valentin Castellanos

• FC Dallas take on New York City FC this Wednesday at the DRV PNK Stadium
• FC Dallas have failed to beat New York City FC since 2015
• New York City FC have got one win in their last five matches

FC Dallas vs NYCFC Odds

FC Dallas vs New York City FC Prediction

Despite sitting higher up the table in their respective conferences, neither side will be completely pleased with their recent form. FC Dallas sit in 4th place on the Western Conference standings with 28 points from 19 games but are on a five-game winless run.

New York City FC sit in 3rd place on the Eastern Conference standings with 32 points from 18 games and made sure they weren’t on a five-game winless run by beating 10-men New England Revolution 4-2 in their last match. The two sides have faced each other six times overall, with one win apiece and four draws. FC Dallas’ only victory came against New York City FC all the way back in 2015.

Previous Meetings

The two sides squared off in a thrilling 3-3 encounter last September. Jader Obrian gave FC Dallas the lead, the first of his brace, in the 4th minute. It was a vital goal as New York City FC would go on to dominate proceedings for the rest of the match.

Maximiliano Moralez scored an equalizer in the 20th minute and was part of a trio including Jesus Medina and Gudi Thorarinsson that caused all sorts of problems for the FC Dallas backline.

Medina got his second in the 57th minute before Jesus Fereira scored one against the run of play in the 63rd minute. Thorarinsson played a peach of a ball for Magna four minutes later, which should’ve given New York City FC the win but Obrian was on target once again to make it 3-3 in the 73rd minute.

New York City FC had 60 percent of the possession and took 15 shots as opposed to FC Dallas’ 11 shots. They were the better team by most metrics but FC Dallas were clinical when they got their chances.

FC Dallas Have Hit a Bit Of a Rough Patch

After making a flying start to the season, FC Dallas are going through their poorest run of form in the season. They were in and around the top sides of the Western Conference but the five-game winless run has meant they’ve fallen 11 points behind LAFC.

They still have enough about themselves to get to the playoffs and make a mark there but a strong opponent like New York City FC has come at the worst possible time.

Can’t Hold Onto Leads

It was a similar story for FC Dallas in their last game. The in-form Jesus Ferreira scored what seemed like the winner in the 93rd minute, but an 11th minute added-time winner from Teenage Hadebe gave Houston Dynamo the draw.

FC Dallas will be extremely frustrated with recent results, this being the third time in four games where they’ve given up a lead. It won’t be any easier to get a lead, never mind keep one when they face a strong New York City FC side.

Jesus Ferreira Keeps Firing Them In

For all the troubles they’ve had in defense, the attack is still fairly good because of Jesus Ferreira.

He scored his 11th goal of the season against Houston Dynamo and is having a bit of breakthrough season. Still only 21 years old, he has been the story of the season for FC Dallas. It’s not just his clinical goalscoring that has caught the eye, however. He has also chipped in with four assists. There has been some over-performance with his 11 goals coming from only 7.9 xG (according to FBref via Statsbomb) but those are some pretty good underlying numbers regardless.

FC Dallas will be banking on him to provide the ammunition going forward in this game. He wasn’t a big name last season but that didn’t stop him from finding the target in the 3-3 game. He’s the one to watch out for.

FC Dallas Injuries And Suspensions

Center-back, Joshué Quiñónez, has been out since last month with a sprained ankle.

New York City FC Are Back To Winning Ways

After going four games without a win, the defending MLS Champions New York City FC were back to winning ways in a thrilling 4-2 win over New England Revolution. It was an exciting but strange game with three penalty kicks and a red card.

New England Revolution manager, Bruce Arena, was not happy, labeling the Yankee Stadium as a bad baseball field – he said that despite there being two good teams and the prospect of an exciting game as a result of that, the stadium itself let everyone down. New York City FC could only have a laugh at that notion after their big win.

There’s No Stopping Valentin Castellanos

Just like Jesus Ferreira’s been the main man for FC Dallas, Valentin Castellanos has been the same for New York City FC. His brace against the New England Revolution took him to the top of the scoring charts with 12 goals.

Unlike Ferreira, Castellanos has been underperforming his underlying numbers. According to Fbref via Statsbomb, the Argentine has generated 15.1 xG, which is a positive sign as this suggests that his goalscoring should definitely be sustainable.

And he’s getting on the end of shots from good locations. Just as impressive is managing the 12 goals in only 15 games. As long as he’s around, New York City FC will head into most games as favorites.

Still The Best Side in the Eastern Conference

The competition is really hotting up in the Eastern Conference but the defending MLS champions remain the team to beat.

Their loss to the New York Red Bulls in the US Open Cup was a big disappointment, but a win here will take them ahead of their city rivals and league leaders Philadelphia Union. The two sides above them have got 33 points with the benefit of having played extra games. New York Red Bulls have played two games more, whereas Philadelphia Union have played one more.

They hold onto an excellent goal difference of +16 and if it wasn’t for LAFC’s recent splurge in the market, New York City FC would still be considered the most complete side in the league. For now, they can’t be focusing too far ahead.

They need to show that they’re back in form by going on a little run. Beating FC Dallas will be a good measuring stick for where they stand at the moment.

NYCFC Injuries And Suspensions

Defensive midfielder, Keaton Parks, has been undergoing surgery since the end of last month.

How to Watch FC Dallas vs New York City FC