FRISCO - And then there was one. With 33 regular season games in the books, as well as four CONCACAF Champions’ League matches and three US Open Cup games, FC Dallas’ 2017 season comes down to Decision Day. One game against the LA Galaxy that could either define Dallas’ season or change the course of it. Think about it: a loss to a last-place Galaxy team and Dallas will have won just one game since July 22nd. On the flip side, if FC Dallas beats LA and gets some help from San Jose or Real Salt, this season could wind up being a much different story.
Here are five things you need to know about the match.
FC Dallas’ Playoff Chances
Seventh-place FC Dallas (10-10-13, 43 points) plays the eleventh-place LA Galaxy (8-17-8, 32 points) on Sunday, October 22 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco in a match presented by Papa John’s. This is the second of two MLS matches against the Galaxy in 2017. FC Dallas topped LA 2-1 in the 2017 season opener at the StubHub Center in Carson, CA on March 4, 2017.
Despite being below the playoff line, FC Dallas can still clinch a spot in the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs. Dallas will clinch its fourth straight playoff appearance if:
- FC Dallas win vs. LA Galaxy AND San Jose Earthquakes tie or lose vs. Minnesota
- -- OR –
- FC Dallas draw vs. LA Galaxy AND San Jose Earthquakes lose vs. Minnesota AND Real Salt Lake tie or lose vs. Sporting KC
Part Of The Original 10
The Galaxy and FC Dallas were among MLS’ original 10 teams when the league started in 1996. The two teams played the first match against each other on July 17, 1996. They closed out the ’96 regular season with a home and home series, wrapping up the season at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on September 22, 1996. FC Dallas is 24-33-12 all-time against the Galaxy.
Good At Home Against LA
FC Dallas is 18-9-7 all-time at home against the Galaxy. Dallas beat LA the last time both teams played at Toyota Stadium. Walker Zimmerman netted his fourth goal of the season and Mauro Diaz earned his 12th assist as FCD topped the Galaxy 1-0 on October 1, 2016.
Putting The Road In The Rear View Mirror
FC Dallas finished the 2017 season with a 3-8-6 road record. Dallas’ three road wins were the fewest the team has posted in a season since it won just two games away from Toyota Stadium in 2013 when it finished 2-9-6 on the road.
Well, This Is Interesting
The Galaxy went 3-9-5 at home in 2017, tying the mark for second-fewest home wins in a season in MLS history (record: 2, Tampa Bay Mutiny, 2001). What’s interesting is that with a 5-8-3 road record, the Galaxy will finish the 2017 season as the only MLS team with more wins on the road than at home.
