LOS ANGELES, California — FC Dallas continues their search for straight wins this MLS season. This Saturday Los Toros faced LAFC on the road, one of the teams with more talent and experience with players like Carlos Vela and Giorgio Chiellini and were defeated after 95 minutes.
- The Dallas team began the game as usual, trying to build up from Paes and moving forward with passes through the lines that allow them to control the pace of the game. This style has its own risk, one mistake can lead to an opportunity with a lot of space for the adversaries because of the amplitude needed. This is what happened on the first goal, the high pressure by LAFC forced a goalkeeper longball and made a bad execution, then Alan Velasco had the chance to recover it, failed and Timothy Tillman shot it into the back of the net at the 3rd minute.
- The bad start did not broke Nico Estevez’s team mentality, Arriola who started as a left wing for the first time in the season crossed it to Jesus Ferreira, who tried a volley, the rebound was found by Cerrilo who shot it from outside of the box, and the ball went in at the 17th minute. Shortly after, VAR called back the goal, Obrian was offside and interfered in the play, obstructing the goalkeeper’s view of the ball. The tension was growing and so was the intensity of every action. At the 31st minute, Twumasi crashed against Palencia, but LAFC defender had already won the ball. The referee gave a yellow card but VAR interfered once again, and the card turned into a red one, leaving FC Dallas with 10 players for the rest of the game.
- Losing the game outnumbered, it was a matter of time before the Dallas team started a low block to defend against the LA attacks. The team lead by Carlos Vela started having their chances after the 60th minute, two longs shot by Biuk and Tillman deflected by Paes, that looked like LAFC was about to score. The beautiful game again was unpredictable. The Dallas defenders made the difference on the offensive side again, Ibeagha assisted Tafari, and the game was equalized at the 73rd minute, with an acrobatic finish by the center back. The celebrations were not over, and Carlos Vela was fouled inside the box and a penalty was given to LA after the VAR called back the referee decision again. The former Arsenal F.C player had the opportunity to score but his shot went straight to the crossbar.
- LAFC would continue their attacking on FC Dallas. Denis Buoanga who substituted Biuk, found the ball after a corner by Vela at the 84th minute. The winger shot it from outside of the box next to the endline and Ibeagha’s attempt to deflect it distracted Paes and the ball went between his legs. This goal would give LAFC their victory this season, and FC Dallas their second defeat.
- The MLS Western conference has witnessed a Cinderella story so far with Saint Louis. The statement they are making with 5 straight wins is a message to the other teams that there is going to be more competition for playoff spots. LAFC has been consistent with 3 wins to be at the third position in the conference, something that FC Dallas continues to look for.
