A schedule change means FC Dallas has a difficult week, traveling to face the Chicago Fire on Thursday, then turning around to meet the Houston Dynamo at home Sunday.

While FCD coach Oscar Pareja is expected to rest some regular starters ahead of Sunday's nationally televised rivalry clash, midfielder Kellyn Acosta said Thursday's game will still have enormous significance as it also has a rivalry trophy on the line.

"Thursday is a game that's almost a must-win game, like a final, we look at that we need to get back on track," Acosta said. "Sunday at home we're playing a rivalry game against Houston, so that's going to be very important.

"Obviously, on Thursday we play for a cup. I'm not sure if people are aware about the Brimstone Cup. That'd be a good feat to have as well, to win that and bring that on home. Then winning El Capitan as well. Two very important games for us -- and we're looking to get three points in both games."

Forward Maxi Urruti and defenders Walker Zimmerman and Hernan Grana were the biggest names who missed training sessions ahead of the Chicago game and are unlikely to travel to Illinois, but the team says it has others who can fill in for those players without much trouble.

"I think it's kind of lucky that we have such a deep team," forward Tesho Akindele said. "We've got a lot of good players at every position pretty much, so I'm sure some people will get a chance to start that maybe haven't started. We'll rotate it a little bit between the two games, and I think we'll be fine."

Fire much improved: After finishing last in the league in coach Veljko Paunovic's first season, the Fire made several moves in the offseason that have made them a much more formidable team.

The midfield was bolstered with MLS veterans Dax McCarty and Juninho in the winter, and World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger just after the season had started. And Hungarian forward Nemanja Nikolic also has been a key addition, with his league-leading 10 goals helping the Fire to three consecutive victories.

"It's a really good soccer team that has done things well lately," Pareja said.

Acosta is looking forward to fighting for control of the center of the field against familiar faces.

"It'll definitely be a tough matchup in the midfield, but it's definitely going to be an exciting one playing against a guy like Juninho who was in the league previously, playing against Dax again, a teammate on the national team in his first year in Chicago, and then obviously the World Cup legend that is Bastian Schweinsteiger," Acosta said. "It's definitely going to be a cool matchup. It's going to be a lot of fun."

Cermeno's chance: One of the players hoping to get a chance this week with multiple players required is Carlos Cermeno.

The Venezuelan midfielder joined the club in the offseason but has seen just one start and time in three matches. He nearly came on in the first half of Saturday's 1-0 defeat to the San Jose Earthquakes when Acosta suffered an ankle injury, but the 21-year-old was able to carry on, keeping Cermeno on the bench.

"You have to be self-critical and look at what's happening on the field and they're doing a great job," Cermeno said. "The coach always asks me to be patient, and I know the moment is going to arrive. There are some moments in soccer like this when there are matches close to each other, calls to the national team, and you have to be at the top of your game."

Jon Arnold is an editor at Goal.com and BBC 5 Live's CONCACAF expert.

Twitter: @ArnoldcommaJon