• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

FC Dallas-Toronto FC Preview

Jul 23, 2010 - 4:32 PM By ZAC POWELL STATS Writer

FC Dallas (6-2-7) at Toronto FC (6-5-4), 4:00 p.m. EDT

David Ferreira and Brek Shea have been red-hot for FC Dallas lately. Now they will try to continue a scoring binge against a team that hasn't lost at home for more than a year.

Ferreira and Brek lead Dallas against Toronto FC, which will try to extend a 15-match MLS unbeaten streak at BMO Field on Saturday.

Every point matters for Toronto (6-5-4) and Dallas (6-2-7) as the clubs are in the thick of the playoff hunt, and currently third in their respective conferences.

Toronto, which has never reached the postseason since joining the league in 2007 is 5-0-3 at home this year, and 10-0-5 since June 6, 2009. Dallas meanwhile, is 2-0-4 in its last six on the road, and coach Schellas Hyndman said his club likes to take away an opponents' home edge.

"A lot of teams struggle on the road and we seem to be a team that comes out and plays pretty well," he told the team's official website. "We go after teams and take away that home field (advantage), that comfort zone. It seems to be working."

Dallas is 3-0-3 after losing 1-0 at home to Los Angeles on May 20.

Toronto has allowed only three goals in six home matches this year, and goalkeeper Stephan Frei has four clean sheets in his last five there. Frei will have his hands full with Ferreira and Shea, who have combined for seven goals in the last six games.

Ferreira had scored in three straight prior to a 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake last Saturday behind a goal and assist from Shea. The Texas native has four goals and two assists in 11 contests after coming off the bench for all three April matches.

"(Shea's) a player that will do what I ask him to do," Hyndman said. "I think once he really gets that first touch down, he'll be able to get more and more shots off."

Toronto has managed only three goals over the last five matches, and a big reason for those troubles is the five-match scoreless streak of star midfielder Dwayne De Rosario. De Rosario scored eight goals in his first 10 matches, but none since a two-goal effort May 29 in a 3-1 win at San Jose.

Toronto also returns home looking to bounce back from a rare loss. Chad Barrett scored in a 2-1 defeat to expansion Philadelphia last Saturday, snapping an eight-game unbeaten streak.

Mista may finally make his MLS debut after signing with TFC earlier this month. The striker, who has never played for a club outside his native Spain, is eager to help.

"I don't want to promise that I will score a certain number of goals but I am a striker and I will try my best to help out the attacking play of Toronto FC," he told the team's official website. "Hopefully I can contribute to the team and help us to get some good results in the second half of the season."