Match Preview: LA Galaxy vs. FC Dallas
The LA Galaxy host FC Dallas to end the chaotic 2023 campaign
We are finally at the end of the 2023 MLS regular season and the LA Galaxy will finish their campaign against the team they played first. The Galaxy close out their season at Dignity Health Sports Park hosting FC Dallas at 6 p.m. in Carson, CA.
The LA Galaxy have gone through quite the season but will look to give the home fans a victory to end the year on a less sour note going into the offseason.
FC Dallas comes into this game needing to win in order to make their playoff path much more straightforward. The Texas side drew 1-1 with Colorado last week - that means only a victory on decision day guarantees their path into the postseason. Dallas can draw this game but needs results across the Western Confrence to go their way.
The Storyline
The Galaxy needs to end the season strong and could play spoiler by getting a victory over FC Dallas. It’ll be a tough ask as the Texas side has won 10 out of the last 14 encounters between the two sides.
"This is the last game of the season and people may say it doesn't matter if they win or not but I want to win because I want to show my respect to the fans, my family who help me every single day and also the staff helping the club, the people and players everyday so this is part of my pride,” said Maya Yoshida following last weeks tie with RSL.
Dallas isn’t coming into this October game looking scary. They have drawn their last five games and coming off an unconvincing performance versus Colorado. While their scoring is lacking, Dallas’ defense is rolling along.
They have allowed 36 goals this season- the second-lowest tally in the Western Confrence. Meanwhile, the Galaxy has scored at least two goals in 13 out of their last 15 games. To put that in perspective, Dallas has conceded two goals in a match only twice in their last 11 games.
The Galaxy is capable of taking down this Dallas team on Saturday night. If LA can keep a good intensity, they’ll be making their Texas side tremble for 90 minutes.
Players to Watch
LA: Dejan Joveljic, striker
While it may be too late, LA’s Serbian striker is going through a resurgence to end the season. His goal and assists during last week’s match versus Real Salt Lake was the Serbian’s best performance of the season. In LA’s previous game versus Dallas, it was Joveljic who opened the scoring.
What helped the Serbian last game was playing alongside Billy Sharp. The addition of the Engishmann makes it so that Joveljic isn’t the one doing the majority of the hold-up play and instead he’s attacking spaces.
With Douglas Costa and potentially Riqui Puig on the pitch, Joveljic will keep getting quality service and chances in the box. It’s so important that he leaves this down year with some of his swagger back.
FCD: Jesus Ferreira, forward
In the last couple of years, the 21-year-old Ferreira has developed into a LA Galaxy killer. In seven career games against the Galaxy, the U.S. international has five goals and two assists. In the reverse fixture earlier this year, he scored a brace to give his club the edge over LA.
He’s a tricky forward who plays more connected to the midfield than your traditional number nine. He’s got pace, playmaking, and is able to move the backline with his movements. That’s the profile of a player that can take advantage of a weak Galaxy defense.
The Big Question: Can LA keep a clean sheet
Here is a not-so-fun fact - the LA Galaxy has recorded a club record eight consecutive games allowing two or more goals. The last team to allow more than two goals in nine straight games was FC Cincinnati back in 2019.
LA doesn't want to create history for the wrong reasons, especially to end the season. Luckily for them, FC Dallas isn’t lighting up the scoreboard.
The Texas side has tied seven of their last eight MLS games. In their last five, Dallas has scored four goals and not recorded a game with more than one goal. This is a team that is struggling to put up goals and kill off their opponents.
This is the last chance to end the season with a clean sheet for the Galaxy. As I said earlier, the story of this game is ending the season with a less sour taste. A clean sheet gives something for this team to be proud of to end this roller-coaster season.
Do I think this team can hold their opponents to zero? No. But anything is possible on MLS Decision Day.