Scouting Report | Fire return to Soldier Field Saturday against FC Dallas

After what seemed like an interminable international break, the Fire are back in action this weekend as they take on FC Dallas on Saturday at Soldier Field.

Chicago is off to their best start since 2009 having picked up eight points from their first four games, and their single goal conceded is tied for the lowest amount in MLS with LAFC.

Dallas is coming off back-to-back wins, as they have beaten Nashville and Portland in their previous two matches.

Here is a deeper look at the first Brimstone Cup matchup since 2019 in the Gerber Collision and Glass Scouting Report…

USMNT…IS THAT YOU?

FC Dallas are led by Nico Estevez, who was one of Gregg Berhalter’s top lieutenants at the U.S. Men’s National Team from 2019-21 until he replaced Luchi Gonzalez - who ended up taking Estevez’s role with the USMNT.

Estevez has implemented Berhalter’s system at FC Dallas, and - while it looks somewhat different given the caliber of players - in a lot of ways, it looks almost identical to what we see from the national team.

It is a 4-3-3 with the one holding defensive midfielder and two central midfielders a little more advanced playing in that dual 8/10 role. You’ll see the striker (Jesus Ferreira, if he plays) drop a little deeper on occasions to create space in behind, or to potentially link up with the midfielders. The fullbacks will get forward, and they will be very possession-oriented with the high-octane press employed in certain areas.

Edwin Cerillo will be the deeper-lying midfielder while Brandon Servania and Paxton Pomykal will play in front of him. These three are very clean on the ball and do an excellent job of progressing things into the attacking third. Pomykal in particular has looked very sharp despite all his injury woes, and is looking to have a big year after playing out of position in the Luchi era.

One weakness that the USMNT and FC Dallas have at times is maybe playing TOO much out of the back. Look for the Fire to find some pressing triggers and try to catch FCD in possession in their own defensive third. The other weakness is throwing a lot of numbers forward and getting caught on the counter. With the Fire at home and also having a possession-based style, I don’t see FC Dallas pinning Chicago back all that often. If they do, the counter will definitely be on.

HANDFUL

Dallas’ front three are more than a handful. USMNT members Jesus Ferreira and Paul Arriola have been in really good form as of late, scoring goals for both club and country. Alan Velasco, the $7 million 19 year-old, has already announced himself to MLS in a big way with a fabulous individual goal against Nashville a couple weeks ago.

The movement, quality, and understanding between these three has already been mighty impressive and Velasco just made his debut in the Nashville game.

Dealing with this three-headed monster will be a challenge to say the least, but it is no secret the Fire are a different defensive proposition than previous editions of the franchise. It will take a full team effort (much like we’ve seen over the first four games) to stifle this potent Dallas attack.

FINAL THOUGHTS

It’s always a bit of a crapshoot coming off of an international break in terms of picking up where you left off. Both teams had their mojo going before the interruption of MLS play, so we’ll see if that form can hold true two weeks after the fact.

The Fire will definitely have the advantage playing at home in what is looking like true Chicago conditions (cold and rainy). This will be a battle in the middle of the park, and will probably come down to who can limit the mistakes in possession and who can convert off the other’s miscues. Both sides capitalized on poor giveaways from their respective opponents in the last matches they played.

Regardless, there is a ton of talent on the field for this one, and I’m expecting a highly-contested affair.

I’ll be doing an Instagram takeover seeing as the game is nationally-televised on Univision, TUDN, and Twitter, so keep an eye out for yours truly as I’ll be making rounds at the tailgates and throughout the concourse.

See you all at Soldier as the Fire look to get off to the second-best start in club history through five games.