FRISCO - Throughout the season, the FC Dallas roster has seen various changes and shifts, but as they get to face the league-leading LAFC twice in a four-day span, this week they plan to use their depth as a strength.
Defender Ryan Hollingshead understands the importance of these matches as well as the depth this roster provides heading in to such a vigorous schedule.
“Ultimately the goal is the team, whatever is best for the team to move forward, keep getting points, and growing together as a family we want to do that,” said Hollingshead, one of three players who has started in every match of 2019. “The practice intensity has been high, people have been playing well trying to earn a spot.”
“Every lineup has been slightly different in personnel," head coach Luchi Gonzalezsaid."That’s going to continue to be a strength is the group. We don’t depend on one player.”
This week is the 22nd time that Dallas has faced an opponent in consecutive regular season matches, but just the third time it's been done in four days or less - and the first since 2006. In 1999, the Dallas Burn faced the Chicago Fire in a home-and-home series in just three days' time and in 2006, they faced Chivas USA in a similar four-day span.
Defender Reggie Cannon accustomed to quick turnarounds through his time in the Academy that led him up to his first team spot. He believes that on top of the challenges LAFC poses, there are benefits to having the opportunity to face them again in a small window.
“It’s one of the best feelings in the world. You get to figure out and adapt to the first game," he said. "See what you were missing, see what you were lacking, and implement that in the second game.”
FC Dallas takes on the Los Angeles Football Club at 9pm on Thursday at Banc of California Stadium. Catch it on ESPN2 and FCDallas.com/Radio and 1270 AM as well.
