Preview: Dallas vs. Los Angeles FC – Prediction, Team News, Lineups

Dallas will try to close the gap in the Major League Soccer (MLS) playoffs when they host Los Angeles FC on Saturday at Toyota Stadium.

A 3-2 loss to Real Salt Lake leaves the Toros five points off the Western Conference playoff line, while LA is six points behind first-place Los Angeles Galaxy after a 1-1 draw with Austin FC.

Game Preview

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Time is not on Dallas' side at the moment, as the team has five games left on its way to a third consecutive postseason appearance.

Peter LuccinThe team hasn't done itself any favors recently, picking up just one point in its last three league games. This means the gap to the playoffs is widening.

Saturday is the first game of a two-game home series in MLS for them, with the Toros looking to avoid two consecutive losses at Toyota Stadium for the first time this year.

So far in 2024, they have recorded eight home wins in the competition, one more than last season, and have won three of their last four MLS games in Frisco.

If they can win four of their last five regular season meetings, the Toros will reach the same point total as in the 2023 season (46).

The Toros have won their last two domestic home games against LAFC, including a 2-0 triumph in this very game last season.

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Los Angeles FC suffered another setback on its way to finishing first in the Western Conference for the second time in three seasons.

Since losing the Leagues Cup final to the Columbus Crew (3-1), the Black and Golds have remained winless in four consecutive domestic games. It is their longest winless streak in 2024.

However, the Black and Golds have two games less than the Galaxy and therefore still have time to catch up until the end of the season.

This will be the last game for Steve CherundoloThe LA team ahead of the US Open Cup final against Sporting Kansas City, with LA picking up just one point in their last two away games in that competition.

A win on Saturday would give the Black and Golds 52 points domestically in 2024, equal to their total points from the 2023 regular season.

LAFC is winless in its last four MLS games against Texas clubs and has not beaten a team from the Lone Star State all year.

Dallas Major League Soccer form:

Dallas form (all competitions):

Los Angeles FC Major League Soccer form:

Los Angeles FC form (all competitions):

Team News

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In their midweek encounter, Dallas had not Liam Fraser unavailable due to a knee injury, Geovane Jesus with a cruciate ligament tear and Paxton Pomykal is out for this year after undergoing surgery on his left knee.

Maarten Paes And Show were the only two newcomers in the Toros' starting lineup against Real Salt Lake. The first returned from international duty with Indonesia, the second with Angola.

Jesus Ferreira scored his fifth goal of the domestic season during the week. The other goal was scored by Alan Velascohis first this year.

Because of a slight blow, Christian Oliver was not available for LAFC on Wednesday, nor was Jesus Murillo with a knee injury, while Lorenzo Dellavalle will not return this season due to a torn cruciate ligament.

Marlon hopes to have his visa situation resolved before Saturday, while Lewis O’Brien is eligible to play after a red card suspension and can play again.

David Martinez scored the equalizer for the Black and Golds against Austin earlier this week, which gave them a point.

Possible starting lineup for Dallas:
Paes; Tafari, Ibeagha, Farfan; Lletget, Illarramendi, Delgado, Velasco; Arriola, Musa, Ferreira

Possible starting lineup for Los Angeles FC:
Lloris; Palencia, Chanot, Long, Hollingshead; Duenas, Sanchez, Tillman; Bogusz, Giroud, Bouanga

We think: 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 has struggled to show consistency all year.

Click here to see a data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match.

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