THE MATCHUP: Deep in the Hut of Texas

Way better than Amarillo Wednesday

FC DALLAS (10th) VS. TORONTO FC (13th)

　
PIZZA HUT PARK - WEDNESDAY 9PM ET
TV: GOLTV
　
Pow! Freedom! Colt .45! Chuck Norris! Rodeo! Fatties! It’s all gone Lone Star for Toronto FC as The Reds head deep into the heart of Texas to face FC Dallas, fresh of a win against Hoops' state-rivals Houston. Unless this is a "Dallas" dream sequence of course!
　
Schellas Hyndman and his "Club Formerly Known as the Dallas Burn" have been steadily climbing the MLS table after stumbling out of the gate early. The 2011 MLS Cup runners-up haven't yet matched their form of late last season but are still a solid and dangerous team - especially at home in Pizza The Hutt Park. However, FCD do expect to be without talisman David Ferreira for this match as their leading scorer is still likely out with an injury.
　
For Toronto FC, momentum will be the name of the game. Coming off of arguably their best match of the season against Houston Dynamo, The Reds will try to string two wins in a row for the first time in 2011. It will be interesting to see if manager Aron Winter decides to give MLS Player of the Week Joao Plata his second start on the trot or whether squad rotation is in order. With two matches a week the norm for the foreseeable future, including The NutCan Finals, TFC's depth is going to be greatly tested. Rib eye steak! Pick-up truck!
　
MANUFACTURED DERBY NAME: "The Pizza Hut Hoedown"
　
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
TORONTO FC: Julian de Guzman, Stefan Frei, Alen Stevanovic
FC DALLAS: Fabian Castillo, Martin Chavez, Kevin Hartman
　
THE ODDS
- Joao Plata disappearing... being found under 10-Gallon Stetson: 3-1
- Toronto hockey broadcasters wondering aloud why both teams are called "The FC's": 5-1
- 80's TV drama "Dallas" considered less a soap opera than TFC: 10-1
　
WHO ARE YA?
- Pizza Hut Park is located in the Dallas suburb of Frisco. Residents are called Friscolays and the main exports are bovine testicles, giant belt buckles, unexplained gunshot wounds and freedom
- FC Dallas were embarrassed last November by unveiling a giant "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED" banner over their stadium a week before the MLS Cup Final
- Pizza Hut Park was built as a soccer-specific stadium but has been forced to share space with high school gridiron, the rodeo clown olympiad, amateur demolition derby and local executions
　
DUTCH-ENGLISH PRONUCTATION OF THE MATCH
"Who ish shootingsh de J.Rsh?"
　
CHEESE IN THE CRUST SAYS: 1-0 FC Dallas
PIZZA PIZZA 50/50 SAYS: 0-0 Draw
HEADLINE: "TFC LOSES SHOOTOUT IN DALLAS - 8 CRITICALLY WOUNDED"