Double your soccer, double your fun.
LAFC embarks on the second of its back-to-back matchups on the 2019 MLS schedule this week. FC Dallas visits Banc of California Stadium on Thursday night before both teams fly to Dallas the next day for the return match on Sunday.
In the other back-to-back of the season, LAFC took four points out of six from the Seattle Sounders. So while these consecutive matches aren't ideal, the Black & Gold hasn't been phased much.
Also part of the match on Thursday is the celebration of Women in Sport at Banc of California Stadium. LAFC will be honoring women of Los Angeles before and during the match to support equality on and off the pitch. The capo stands in the North End will be led by ladies for the match and there will be acknowledgments of influential women in Los Angeles sports prior to the match and at halftime.
Here's a look at the first of two between LAFC and FC Dallas:
LAFC vs FC Dallas, May 15 at 7pm PT
Where To Watch
TV: ESPN2
Radio: ESPNLA 710, KFWB 980
Opponent Form
After a 2-1 win over the defending MLS Cup champs in Atlanta, FC Dallas is winless in its last three matches. Luchi Gonzalez's side fell to Houston in the Texas Debry, followed by a loss at NY Red Bulls last weekend.
What The Team Is Saying
Carlos Vela on scoring more goals this season: "I haven't changed anything. When you finish one season, you think about what happened and what you can do better. That's my goal, be a better player every year, a better teammate, and a better leader. And I repeat, when the team is doing well, everything is easier for all the players."
Bob Bradley on new FC Dallas head coach Luchi Gonzalez: "I don't know Luchi very well. I had a chance to meet him earlier this year at the Combine and the Draft and speak to him a little bit. I've been really impressed with the way he's handled things in Dallas, his experience with so many of these players coming through the academy, and then the philosophy of trying to move their young guys along. It's something that we really appreciate here. I think his team has played some good football this year."
LAFC Projected Starting XI
(4-3-3): Tyler Miller; Jordan Harvey, Eddie Segura, Walker Zimmerman, Steven Beitashour; Eduard Atuesta, Mark-Anthony Kaye, Latif Blessing; Diego Rossi, Christian Ramirez, Carlos Vela.
What To Watch For
Home And Away Approach: FC Dallas has been a much more proactive team under Luchi Gonzalez. The past teams under Oscar Pareja thrived on the counter. But in 2019, we've seen a team adamant on being a protagonist and using the ball to create advantages. With back-to-back matches, will we see FC Dallas stick to that philosophy against LAFC at Banc of California Stadium?
Midfield On Midfield: Both sides feature dynamic and young midfielders. Eduard Atuesta, Mark-Anthony Kaye, and Latif Blessing have been a driving force for LAFC on both sides of the ball. FC Dallas head coach Luchi Gonzalez has a slew of promising young players of his own in midfield, none more talked about than Paxton Pomykal. Unfortunately, the injury bug has hit Dallas as of late and it looks like Pomykal won't be available for the match in Los Angeles. But expect this match to be centered on how each team's midfield controls the proceedings.
Rotation: The fixtures come quick and fast over the next week and change. LAFC play three times in the span of nine days. Bob Bradley has already stated his intention to rotate players as necessary for some of the upcoming matches. It's another chance for players that have been working hard in training to bring that into a competitive setting.
