Los Angeles FC will seek to continue a strong start when they host FC Dallas on Saturday night.
Los Angeles FC (2-0-0, 6 points) haven’t allowed a goal while beating visiting Inter Miami by three tallies and winning at the Houston Dynamo by two.
“It gives us confidence starting the year like this, but we’re going one game at a time, and that’s the mentality we have in this group,” LAFC midfielder Mathieu Choiniere said. “What’s done is done. Now we have to move forward.”
Coach Marc Dos Santos is encouraging his team to continue the assault.
“We have to keep punching; the season is like being in a long boxing game,” Dos Santos said. “Sometimes there’s rounds that you’re going to be in front, and sometimes there are rounds in which the opponent might punch you more.”
In last weekend’s victory over Houston, Los Angeles delivered blows while the Dynamo was short-handed.
Houston was playing one man short when Mark Delgado scored on a long shot in the 56th minute. The Dynamo lost a second player in the 76th minute, and Stephen Eustaquio took advantage with a goal in the 82nd.
Now the quest is to not rest on their laurels.
“We don’t take winning for granted,” Dos Santos said. “We know that when we have the opportunity to get the win and to get points we have to take them.”
FC Dallas (1-0-1, 4 points) have seen nothing but rough times against LAFC and stand 0-6-1 all-time when the teams meet in Los Angeles. Dallas has been outscored 13-3.
But Dallas coach Eric Quill sees that futility as something that can be overcome.
“It’s a great opportunity for us against a quality side, and we get to measure ourselves early,” Quill said. “I know we’re going to go there and compete our hearts out.”
FC Dallas beat Toronto FC 3-2 in their opener on Feb. 21 before playing Nashville SC to a scoreless draw last weekend. Both games were home matches for Dallas.
Quill said he was impressed by the two efforts.
“This group competes as hard as anybody,” he said. “… There’s a real consistency in our fight from Minute 1 to Minute 95.”
Veteran forward Anderson Julio (lower leg) is listed as questionable by FC Dallas.
Among the players who will sit out for LAFC are forward Jeremy Ebobisse (leg) and defender Aaron Long (leg).
–Field Level Media
