Quill demands Dallas response as unbeaten hosts welcome depleted LAFC
Unbeaten Dallas host depleted LAFC hunting return to winning ways
FC Dallas head coach Eric Quill has backed his side to “be better” when they host Los Angeles FC in MLS on Saturday, after a frustrating 0-0 draw with Austin FC checked their momentum at the wrong moment.
Dallas head into the weekend on a five-match unbeaten streak, but after three straight wins they were held scoreless by Austin last time out. It was just the seventh time this season they have been shut out — despite being the second-highest scorers in the Western Conference. They currently sit fourth in the West, one of three teams locked on 44 points, and know a victory could close the gap to leaders Vancouver Whitecaps.
Quill is demanding a marked improvement in the final third against LAFC.
“It wasn’t our typical game,” Quill said of the Austin draw. “I think everybody’s used to four goals from us, so it wasn’t there. But it wasn’t for a lack of trying or a lack of opportunities that we created. We’ll work in front of goal, get our confidence up and go into LAFC ready. [The players were] down because ties don’t excite us, but there’s plenty more football to come from us, and we’re going to be better for this game.”
LAFC travel without stars as Dos Santos refuses to make excuses
Los Angeles FC arrive in Texas sixth in the West, three points adrift of Dallas after failing to win their last two matches. After a shock 3-1 loss to Sporting Kansas City, they threw away a lead against the San Jose Earthquakes, conceding a 98th-minute equaliser.
Son Heung-min and Denis Bouanga both netted in that fixture but are among the absentees called away on international duty. Head coach Marc Dos Santos is making no excuses.
“We never approach the week crying about who’s not here,” Dos Santos said. “We have seven players out, but we embrace from day one of preparing as best as we can for the Dallas game with everybody that is here.”
Players to watch
FC Dallas – Joaquin Valiente
Valiente has recorded 11 assists for Dallas this season, becoming the first player to reach double-digit assists in a single campaign for the club since Michael Barrios posted 15 in 2019. Across the last 15 seasons, only four Dallas players have managed 10+ assists in a year — Valiente (Uruguay), Barrios (Colombia), Maximiliano Urruti and Mauro Diaz (both Argentina).
Los Angeles FC – Mathieu Choiniere
With Son and Bouanga — who have combined for half of LAFC’s regular-season goals (20 of 40, excluding own goals) — away, and David Martinez (six goals) also departing, Choiniere is the club’s next highest scorer with two. He did not register a single shot against San Jose, however, managing just one touch in the opposition box.
Form favours the hosts
Dallas have won four of their 15 regular-season meetings with LAFC (D3 L8), with all four victories coming at home, where they have lost just once (W4 D2). They have scored two or more goals in seven of their last 10 home games and four of their last five, and since the start of the 2024 season they have notched two or more in 29 home matches — bettered only by Inter Miami (37).
LAFC, by contrast, conceded late to San Jose for their fourth draw in their last six road games (L2), having now drawn six on the road this season. Opta’s model makes Dallas favourites:
- FC Dallas – 44.1%
- Draw – 26.8%
- Los Angeles FC – 29.1%