FRISCO, Texas (July 1, 2023) – FC Dallas (8-7-5, 29 points) defeated LAFC (9-5-5, 32 points) 2-0 Saturday night at Toyota Stadium. Bernard Kamungo and Sam Junqua scored to lead Dallas to victory and end a four-game losing skid.
SCORING FIRST
FC Dallas is 4-0-3 this season when scoring the opening goal. Dallas has avoided defeat in its last 19 matches when scoring the first goal dating back to May 19, 2022.
DROUGHT OVER
Bernard Kamungo’s goal in the 56th minute of the match ended FC Dallas’ goalless drought of 236 minutes. The last time Dallas found the back of the net was in the 2-1 defeat to Nashville SC on June 3.
STREAK SNAPPED
With tonight’s 2-0 win over LAFC, FC Dallas snapped a six-game winless streak which included four losses and two draws. It’s Dallas’ first win since defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 on May 17 at Toyota Stadium and avoided setting the longest losing streak in club history.
NEAR 500
FC Dallas has scored 498 goals at Toyota Stadium since starting play on August 6, 2005.
MATCHUP NOTES
FC Dallas is 3-5-2 all-time against LAFC and 3-1-1 (9 GF, 6 GA) at Toyota Stadium. Dallas won the first season series in 2018 (1-0-1) and split the series last year (1-1-0) and this season (1-1-0).
200 MATCHES FOR SEBASTIAN LLETGET
Midfielder Sebastian Lletget returned to the starting lineup for the first time since May 13 and collected his 200th career appearance. Lletget ranks No. 49 among active MLS players for total appearances.
UP NEXT
FC Dallas hosts D.C. United on Tuesday, July 4 at Toyota Stadium. The match kicks off at 7:30PM CT on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, the FC Dallas App, Talk Radio 1190AM and Zona MX 99.1.
Lineups
FC Dallas — Maarten Paes; Marco Farfan, Nkosi Tafari, Sebastien Ibeagha, Geovane Jesus (Amet Korça – 71’); Facundo Quignon, Edwin Cerrillo, Sebastian Lletget (Tsiki Ntsabeleng – 72’); Bernard Kamungo (José Mulato – 69’), Alan Velasco (Paxton Pomykal – 83’), Sam Junqua.
Substitutes not used — Jimmy Maurer, Nolan Norris, Herbert Endeley.
LAFC — John McCarthy; Diego Palacios, Giorgio Chiellini (Kwadwo Opoku – 45’), Denil Maldonado, Ryan Hollingshead; Timothy Tillman (Kellyn Acosta – 45’), Ilie Sánchez (Carlos Vela – 65’) , Erik Dueñas (Nathan Ordaz – 80’); Stipe Biuk, Mateusz Bogusz, Dénis Bouanga.
Substitutes not used — Eldin Jakupovic, Diego Rosales, Daniel Crisostomo, Julian Gaines.
Scoring Summary:
DAL: Bernard Kamungo (Nkosi Tafari) – 56’
DAL: Sam Junqua (Tsiki Ntsabeleng) – 90’
Misconduct Summary:
LAFC: Diego Palacios (caution) – 8’
DAL: Geovane Jesus (caution) – 24’
DAL: José Mulato (caution) – 90+3’
Weather: Cloudy, 83ºF
Attendance: 19,096
FC DALLAS POSTGAME QUOTES
Head Coach Nico Estévez
Thoughts on tonight's Game …
“We were very strong in the first half. We managed to try a different fixture and when it came to the second half we pressed more and continued to attack. It definitely helped us a lot in the second half as we did a better job and managed to score two goals. ”
On the emergence of Bernard Kamungo…
“Bernard is a player that has something special about him. You can see he still has to develop things because he didn’t have the same pathway as other players. He came here from Tanzania, then he played high school soccer and we selected him at the trial for North Texas. The coaches are helping him grow and he still has to learn, but he has the ability to do special things in special moments. He can shine in games and score, which is why he started. He’s been progressing a lot this season and earning his minutes given to him. He couldn’t start against Austin because he came back the day before from international duty with Tanzania which is a long trip. He’s doing the right things and doing a good job.”
Midfielder Sebastian Lletget
Thoughts on Tonight's Win…
“I am very happy, we fought hard and needed this win especially after the result against Austin. We had players missing and others injured and it was not easy, as we know the LAFC is a very strong team but we managed to get that win tonight.”
On coming back after injury…
“I am glad to be back on the field and happy with the minutes I got to play tonight. I was absent for two months and it was not easy. I slowly recovered and now I am back and feeling a lot better.”
Midfielder Paxton Pomykal
On his first game back…
“It felt pretty good to be back out there, especially at home in a packed house in front of our fans. It was a packed house tonight and a good result against a great team.”
On the significance of the win…
“Tonight’s win was huge. Obviously it was frustrating for myself not to be able to be more of an impact being injured and not involved as much. It felt really good to be involved in the win tonight and get three massive points. ”
Forward Bernard Kamungo
On the win…
“This is pretty good, this is fun and we just need to keep working and show people what this team is all about.”
On playing either side of the field…
“To be honest, it doesn't really matter. As a player, you just have to perform and take the opportunity that you've been given.”
On player’s stepping up…
“They’ve been incredible the whole year and iot really shows the depth of our squad and th”
Defender Sam Junqua
On scoring his first-career FC Dallas goal…
“It’s a great feeling, especially because it was a good effort from the team. We deserved to get something out of this. We got the three points tonight at home in front of our fans who we have not seen in a long time.”
On defeating MLS Champions LAFC…
“Regardless whether it was LAFC or another team, we came back home looking for a positive result. It helps us get back on track and we have another match in a couple of days. It’s really meaningful to get points at this point of the season.”
