Dallas will try to close the gap in the Major League Soccer (MLS) playoff picture when they host Los Angeles FC on Saturday at Toyota Stadium.
After a 3-2 loss to Real Salt Lake, the Toros are five points below the Western Conference playoff line, while LA are six points behind the Los Angeles Galaxy for first in the conference following a 1-1 draw versus Austin FC.
Match preview
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Time is not on the side of Dallas at the moment, as this team have five matches remaining in their quest for a third successive post-season appearance.
Peter Luccin's men have not done themselves any favours recently, claiming just one point in their previous three league contests, widening the gap between themselves and the playoffs.
Saturday is the first match in a two-game homestand for them in MLS, with the Toros aiming to avoid successive defeats at Toyota Stadium for the first time all year.
So far in 2024, they have captured eight victories at home in this competition, one more than a season ago, while winning three of their previous four MLS contests played in Frisco.
If they can win four of their final five regular-season encounters, the Toros will equal their total points from the 2023 campaign (46).
The Toros have won their previous two domestic home meetings against LAFC, including a 2-0 triumph in this exact fixture last season.
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Los Angeles FC suffered another setback in their journey to claim first place in the Western Conference for a second time in three seasons.
Since losing the Leagues Cup final to the Columbus Crew (3-1), the Black and Gold are winless in four consecutive domestic affairs, their longest stretch without a victory in 2024.
That said, the Black and Gold have two games in hand on the Galaxy, so they have time to make up that gap between now and the end of the campaign.
This will be the final game for Steve Cherundolo's men before the US Open Cup final versus Sporting Kansas City, with LA claiming just one point from their previous two away matches in this competition.
A victory on Saturday would give the Black and Gold 52 points domestically in 2024, equalling their total from the 2023 regular season.
LAFC are winless in their last four MLS meetings against clubs from Texas, and have not beaten a side from the Lone Star State all year.
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Team News
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In their midweek encounter, Dallas did not have Liam Fraser available due to a sore knee, Geovane Jesus sat out with a torn ACL and Paxton Pomykal is done for the year after undergoing surgery on his left knee.
Maarten Paes and Show were the only two newcomers in the Toros starting 11 against Real Salt Lake, with the former returning from international duty with Indonesia and the latter with Angola.
Jesus Ferreira netted his fifth of the domestic campaign in midweek, with the other goal coming courtesy of Alan Velasco, his first of the year.
Because of a slight knock, Cristian Olivera was not available to LAFC on Wednesday, neither was Jesus Murillo with a knee injury, while Lorenzo Dellavalle will not return this season after tearing his ACL.
Marlon will hope to have his visa situation sorted out before Saturday, while Lewis O'Brien is eligible to return from a red-card suspension.
David Martinez had the equalising goal for the Black and Gold against Austin earlier this week, enabling them to collect a single point.
Dallas possible starting lineup:
Paes; Tafari, Ibeagha, Farfan; Lletget, Illarramendi, Delgado, Velasco; Arriola, Musa, Ferreira
Los Angeles FC possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Palencia, Chanot, Long, Hollingshead; Duenas, Sanchez, Tillman; Bogusz, Giroud, Bouanga
We say: Dallas 0-1 Los Angeles FC
The Black and Gold have too much talent and experience to stay down for too long, and we expect them to regain their confidence this weekend against a desperate Dallas side that have struggled with consistency all year.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
