Los Angeles FC bring stifling defense into match with FC Dallas

Field Level Media|published: Fri 31st May, 21:17 2024

May 29, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; LAFC forward Denis Bouanga (99) dribbles against Minnesota United defender Caden Clark (37) during the second half at BMO Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Football Club aim to extend their shutout streak to five matches on Saturday when they host FC Dallas, who have not won away from home this season.

After some early season defensive struggles, LAFC (8-4-3, 27 points) have won four straight while holding opponents scoreless, most recently earning a 2-0 home win on Wednesday night over Minnesota United.

If they continue to do that, they're going to have a chance to earn comfortable victories behind an attack that has scored multiple goals in all but one home game, and in 10 of 15 league matches overall.

Denis Bouanga scored from the penalty spot against Minnesota for his team-leading ninth goal, and Mateusz Bogusz added his sixth late to provide insurance that might not have been needed.

"There's still room for improvement, but I was very happy and pleased tonight with the performance," LAFC manager Steve Cherundolo said. "It was professional. It was controlled. At no point in the game did I fear us losing nor did I see Minnesota being dangerous. It was how you need to play at home against a very good team."

Dallas (3-7-4, 13 points) took an early lead but ultimately succumbed to a 3-1 defeat to the LA Galaxy on Wednesday night and fell to 0-5-2 on the road.

And FC Dallas will continue their stay in Southern California without center back Nkosi Tafari, who will serve a red card suspension after receiving his second booking in the 82nd minute.

"It's next man up, that's what we have to do," Dallas coach Nico Estevez said. "It could be Omar (Gonzalez), could be Carl (Sainte), or others that we have here. It's important for us to recover well, we'll have to manage the load of some of the players because we've been playing so many games in a row. We may need some fresh legs for this game."

In better news for Estevez, forward Jesus Ferreira came off the bench for Dallas on Wednesday after missing two games with a thigh issue. He has only two goals this season but has led Dallas in scoring the previous two with 18 goals in 2022 and 12 in 2023.

--Field Level Media