FC Dallas, with Santiago Moreno’s arrival this year adding to an already potent attack led by Petar Musa, will try to keep their early-season form going Saturday night when they continue a homestand against the Los Angeles Galaxy in Frisco, Texas.
Moreno enjoyed 4 1/2 good years in Portland, scoring 20 goals and adding 40 assists in 131 fixtures for the Timbers. But a high-profile transfer to Brazilian side Fluminense resulted in Moreno logging just 18 minutes total.
Fluminense loaned Moreno to Dallas for the season’s balance with an option to make it permanent at year’s end. He believes he can help Dallas (3-1-3, 12 points) become a contender in MLS’ Western Conference.
“The few times I’ve been able to train with the group, I’ve felt very good,” Moreno said. “They train a lot on the physical side and that is vital in a team, so I’m just waiting to adapt to keep competing.”
Moreno figures to slot in as a central playmaker for Dallas, providing service for Musa and Logan Farrington, who have combined for 11 of the team’s 15 goals.
FC Dallas are on a four-match unbeaten streak (2-0-2).
Meanwhile, the Galaxy (2-3-2, 8 points) aim to bounce back from a 3-0 loss to Toluca on Wednesday night in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup in Carson, Calif. Needing to win by three goals to advance on aggregate, Los Angeles didn’t come close, falling 7-2 in the series overall.
“We’ve got to answer the bell here and we’ve got to respond,” Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said.
Los Angeles did at least win its latest MLS fixture, edging Austin FC 2-1 on April 11 for its first victory since a 3-0 rout of Charlotte FC on Feb. 28. The Galaxy have fired 51 shots on target, the top total in the league, but rank in the middle of the pack with 10 goals.
Captain Maya Yoshida was agitated when asked after the Wednesday loss if it was good that the team could now focus on its league schedule.
“We have to make it good,” he said. “We have no choice.”
–Field Level Media
