Fresh off a midweek win, FC Dallas host Major League Soccer Western Conference rivals Los Angeles FC on Sunday. The match will feature the second and third place teams in the Western Conference. A Dallas win could see the club leapfrog Sporting Kansas City into first place in the conference.
Dallas are undefeated in their last five fixtures. The Hoops have scored 10 goals in their last five matches, including three against the Los Angeles Galaxy on Wednesday. Dallas were up 3-0 by the 66-minute mark, but the team's defence nearly let the Galaxy take a point in the fixture. The Hoops gave up two goals in the final 30 minutes despite the club's defence being one of the best in MLS. Dallas have allowed just 13 goals this term and have registered a +7-goal difference.
Manager Oscar Pareja has stuck by goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez. The Dallas No. 1 earned the position back a week ago, and Pareja has given the goalkeeper the start in the club's last two matches.
After a hot start in their debut MLS season, LA have hit a rocky patch. The team hasn't won in their last three matches, drawing twice and losing once. LA has tallied four goals in their last three fixtures while allowing five to get past them.
LA are two points back of Dallas and a win will put the Angels into second place. Bob Bradley's team has been free scoring this term. LA have tallied 24 goals, which is joint-second in the Western Conference. The club averages two goals per game and 17.3 shots a game, the second most in MLS. Forward Carlos Vela leads the team in goals, while teammate Diego Rossi has tallied five. Rossi has also registered four assists, and his play has helped lead the expansion franchise to the top half of the Western Conference.
Although Rossi is second in scoring for LA, his most recent strike against DC United was the first he had scored since mid-April. He did tally two assists during that time, but his lack of goals coincided with LA's recent winless run.
The fixture sees two teams in very different form. Dallas are playing well and collecting points. LA haven't played as well as in weeks prior, but Bradley's men are still picking up points. The match between second and third in the Western Conference will end in a draw, as neither team will be able to find the goal to separate them.