FC DALLAS vs. LA GALAXY

2021 MLS Regular Season

October 23 - 7:30PM

Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, CA

Univision | MLS Twitter | FCDallas.com/Radio | 1270AM

LAGvDAL

HEAD-TO-HEAD

• FCD record: 6-14-10 (11 points, 12th in West)
• LAG record: 13-11-6 (45 points, 5th in West)
• FCD vs. LAG all-time: 28-35-12 (106 GF, 129 GA)
• FCD vs. LAG away: 7-26-5 (39 GF, 77 GA)

MOTIVATIONS

• Let’s get it out of the way. FC Dallas was officially eliminated from playoff contention after Wednesday night’s loss to LAFC. It’s only the second time since 2013 that Dallas hasn’t been involved in the postseason, and the other time, in 2017, it came down to the final day of the regular season. So, with four games remaining this term, what’s motivating the players ahead of Saturday’s match against LA Galaxy?

Defender Ema Twumasi: “We’re playing to win. Obviously, we’re out of playoffs which is unfortunate, but we still have four games. We’re professionals so we have to go there and execute and play the game like it’s our last. We’re playing for our jobs, our futures, so we can’t take anything for granted.”

THE GALAXY

• Dallas is squaring off with the Galaxy for the third and final time this year. Both teams have won their home games against each other so far, with FCD winning 4-0 at Toyota Stadium and falling 3-1 at Dignity Health Sports Park. Although the Galaxy are in fifth place in the West, they’re only three points above Real Salt Lake who are below the playoff line and have a game in hand. So, Dallas has the chance to play the villain and disrupt LA’s postseason charge.

Head Coach Marco Ferruzzi: “They’re a team that’s hunting for a playoff position. They’re hungry for results so we know that they’re going to give us a fantastic game. They’ve got good quality around the pitch. Their attacking unit is extremely effective when they execute, so we have to manage that.”

JARA

• Franco Jara had a strong outing in FCD’s 3-2 loss against LAFC this week. The forward scored his first goal since Sept. 5 (bringing his tally to five for the season) and nearly had a brace but his chip attempt rebounded off the crossbar. Jara’s return to form is a boost for FCD and takes some of the goal-scoring pressure off Ricardo Pepi, who returned from international duty with a minor foot injury.

Head Coach Marco Ferruzzi: “It’s great for every player and good for him (Jara). He did step up, he was training well the last two weeks. Every day, staying late and doing extra at the end of training. Very focused in all the sessions, we love to see that as coaches. (Good) for him to get the goal and reward.”