FC Dallas seems to be running in mud while the Colorado Rapids are finding their stride after a slow start to the season. Here is a full preview and prediction ahead of their Saturday tilt.

FC Dallas vs Colorado Rapids

Toyota Stadium Frisco

April 7, 2018 8:00 PM EST

Altitude 2, TXA-21, MLS Live, KSTR-49 UniMas, Univision Deportes, Twitter

FC DALLAS

Going into their fourth straight home game to open the MLS season, FC Dallas sit on five points. Even with a man advantage last week, they could only manage one goal. Oscar Pareja needs to right the ship after last season’s collapse. He did not fare well in the ESPN FC players poll.

FC Dallas have only achieved tepid results at home and young players are leaving in a worrisome trend. Paxton Pomykal is out after having surgery, dimming one bright spot this season, and this has all come with the easiest opening six games in the league, five at home and none against top teams. Pareja and company should already feel the pressure to get this home result.

FORM: D-W-D

RECORD: 1-0-2

LAST GAME: 1-1 tie vs Portland Timbers

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PLAYER TO WATCH: Maxi Urruti — Just signed a new three-year deal with FC Dallas and needs to start paying dividends on that investment. Urruti has 17 shots this season, yet only one goal against a shorthanded Seattle team. Chances are being created in Frisco but not converted. FC Dallas has yet to lose, but settling for ties because of finishing woes cannot be tolerated. New contract or not, FC Dallas has too many options to let an impotent striker continue starting. Urruti needs to find the net against some middling competition or risk sitting on the bench as the competition becomes more intense.

WHY THEY WILL WIN: FC Dallas has quality in attack that most teams would envy, and lesser sides cannot contain. Colorado will likely be down three starters. The former all-stars and MVP candidates in the Dallas squad could find some form and some goals.

WHY THEY WILL NOT: This Rapids team is playing fresh, while FC Dallas continues the stagnated play that led to last year’s collapse. Pareja likes to play an attacking style, which sometimes leaves his team unbalanced as the attackers find themselves too far upfield to really connect in possession. This team has settled for ties caused by inconsistent play and focus. The Rapids, meanwhile, have pace and will make FC Dallas pay on the counter.

PROJECTED FORMATION: Maurer; Cannon, Hedges, Ziegler, Hollingshead; Barrios, Gruezo, Mosquera, Lamah, Diaz; Urruti