Surging Galaxy take aim at slumping Dallas FC
The LA Galaxy have generated momentum amid a stretch of seven wins over their last nine matches.
FC Dallas, meanwhile, have not enjoyed the same recent success entering their meeting with LA on Saturday night at Frisco, Texas.
The Galaxy (12-4-7, 43 points) earned a 2-1 home victory on Sunday over Minnesota United.
"It's nice doing that coming off a win," LA coach Greg Vanney said. "It feels a lot better as you go into this week and everybody can kind of relax and enjoy a couple of days, and then we get right back to work."
The Galaxy's Dejan Joveljic, who has a team-high 12 goals, won't be available on Saturday because of a hamstring injury, Vanney said. He hadn't scored in the past two matches.
Dallas (6-11-5, 23 points) has won only one of its past four MLS matches, but the Toros have won seven straight home meetings with LA.
"Dallas is always tough, especially this time of year," Vanney said. "It's a special kind of tough with the weather."
Vanney's concern comes in part because it will be the team's third match in 10 days.
Yet it's more grueling for Dallas, which will play its third match in seven days. The Toros fell to Sporting Kansas City twice on the road over the past week - once in MLS play on Sunday and then in the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday.
Interim coach Peter Luccin has directed Dallas to a 3-3-0 MLS record since taking charge.
There has been a noticeable uptick in offensive execution for the Toros after they barely managed a goal per match across their first 16 outings. Dallas has scored multiple goals in five of its last six MLS matches.
"Talking about the attitude of the players, I have nothing but excellent things to say," Luccin said. "In the end, the game is about scoring. We concede a lot of goals, and we always have to score three or four to win a game."
The Galaxy beat the Toros 3-1 in Los Angeles on May 29. Joveljic scored two goals, including one on a penalty kick. Dallas hasn't endured a loss by more than one goal since then.
--Field Level Media
