LAFC vs FC Dallas
Saturday, March 25 at 7:30pm PT
Location: BMO Stadium - Los Angeles, California
TV: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Radio: 710 AM ESPN, ESPN LA App, 980 AM La Mera Mera
LAFC played to a scoreless draw against the Seattle Sounders on Saturday, March 18 and will now prepare to host FC Dallas in a Western Conference Showdown at BMO Stadium on Saturday.
The Black & Gold were able to secure a point on the road against the Sounders, which helped the team remain undefeated (2-1-0) in MLS regular season play. The Club remains in second place behind St. Louis City SC, who has started off a perfect 4-0-0, and is one of just five teams in the league that remain unbeaten.
FC Dallas defeated LAFC in their last matchup in September of 2022 but the Black & Gold own a 4-2-2 overall head-to-head record.
LAFC is expected to be shorthanded, as leading scorer Denis Bouanga (Gabon), midfielder José Cifuentes (Ecuador) and defenders Diego Palacios (Ecuador) and Denil Maldonado (Honduras) are with their national teams for the international break. LAFC defender Ryan Hollingshead remains doubtful for the match with a chest injury suffered vs. New England.
FC Dallas is coming off a 2-1 win against Sporting KC and is currently in fourth place with seven points (2-1-1).
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FC DALLAS IN-DEPTH
Led by second-year head coach Nico Estévez, FC Dallas is looking to continue its momentum from 2022. The club went into the Audi 2022 MLS Playoffs as the third seed before being knocked out by Austin FC in the Western Conference Semifinals.
Defender Sebastien Ibeagha returns to BMO Stadium for the first time since hoisting the MLS Cup with LAFC, as he joined Dallas in the off-season via free agency. Ibeagha played a total of 30 games with the Black & Gold between 2021 and 2022 and will receive his 2022 MLS Cup Championship ring in a pre-game ceremony on Saturday.
Ibeagha has contributed one of the team’s six total goals this year, with Designated Player Jesús Ferreira leading the way for Dallas with three goals after scoring 18 in 2022.
LAFC WILL WIN IF
They can overcome the loss of multiple starters due to international call-ups. The Black & Gold will need to feed off the BMO Stadium fortress created by the 3252. LAFC created several big scoring chances vs. Seattle but were not able to capitalize on them – they will need to put the missed opportunities in Seattle behind them and look to be clinical in front of goal to take advantage of any FC Dallas mistakes in order to secure three points at home.
FC DALLAS CAN WIN IF
They can take advantage of LAFC having to go deep into its bench. FC Dallas is expected to come out in 4-3-3 lineup and will look to establish possession early. The FC Dallas front three of Paul Arriola, Jesus Ferreira, and Alan Velasco are dangerous and aim to have their way on the field. The trio has already combined for five of the teams six goals this year.
