Los Angeles FC aims to maintain their strong performance when they face FC Dallas on Saturday night.
Los Angeles FC (2-0-0, 6 points) has not conceded a goal, beating Inter Miami by three goals and winning at the Houston Dynamo by two.
“Starting the year like this gives us confidence, but we take it one game at a time,” said LAFC midfielder Mathieu Choiniere. “What’s done is done; now we need to move forward.”
Coach Marc Dos Santos is pushing his team to keep up their efforts.
“We must keep attacking; the season is like a long boxing match,” Dos Santos explained. “Sometimes we’re ahead, and sometimes the opponent may hit back harder.”
In last weekend’s win over Houston, Los Angeles pressed their advantage while the Dynamo were short-handed.
Houston lost a player when Mark Delgado scored in the 56th minute. The Dynamo faced another setback in the 76th minute, allowing Stephen Eustaquio to score in the 82nd.
The focus now is on not becoming complacent.
“We don’t take victories for granted,” Dos Santos said. “When we have the chance to win and gain points, we must seize it.”
FC Dallas (1-0-1, 4 points) has struggled against LAFC, with a record of 0-6-1 in Los Angeles, having been outscored 13-3.
However, Dallas coach Eric Quill believes the team can break this pattern.
“This is a great opportunity against a strong team, and we can test ourselves early,” Quill said. “We’re determined to compete.”
FC Dallas won their opener against Toronto FC 3-2 on February 21, followed by a scoreless draw with Nashville SC last weekend. Both matches were at home.
Quill praised his team’s performance in those games.
“This group fights as hard as anyone,” he noted. “There’s a real consistency in our effort from start to finish.”
Veteran forward Anderson Julio (lower leg) is questionable for FC Dallas. LAFC will be missing forward Jeremy Ebobisse (leg) and defender Aaron Long (leg).