Los Angeles FC v FC Dallas: ´We have to keep punching´, says Dos Santos after winning start

Los Angeles FC head coach Marc Dos Santos has urged his side to “keep punching” as they look to extend their winning start in MLS when they host FC Dallas on Saturday.

LAFC, who lost in the Western Conference semi-finals last year, have started the 2026 season with wins over 2025 MLS Cup champions Inter Miami (3-0) and the Houston Dynamo (2-0).

LAFC are the first team in MLS history to record shutout wins in each of their first two matches in two straight seasons.

The only two teams in league history to record three straight shutout wins to begin a season were the Seattle Sounders in 2009 and the LA Galaxy in 2010.

Although LAFC are off to a great start, Dos Santos has urged them to keep fighting game by game.

“It’s early. We went through February in a positive way, but our feet are on the ground, and we are staying very humble,” said the LAFC boss.

“We are not getting ahead of ourselves in any way. We don’t take winning for granted. We know that when we have the opportunity to get the win and to get points, we have to take them.

“We have to keep punching. The season is like a long boxing match. Sometimes there are rounds where you are in front, and others where the opponents might punch you more.

“You need to stay on your feet, you need to keep punching. Right now, our only sole focus is Dallas on Saturday.

“We taking it game by game. We are aware every game has its history and challenges, and that’s how we want be throughout the year.”

From the archives against Dallas #LAFCvDAL pic.twitter.com/ZQbpnLerPP

— LAFC (@LAFC) March 6, 2026

Dallas will not be an easy task for LAFC, with the visiting side also making an unbeaten start to the 2026 campaign.

After defeating Toronto FC 3-2 in their season opener, Dallas held in-form Nashville SC to a goalless draw last time out.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Los Angeles FC – Son Heung-min

Son provided the assist for the winning goal for LAFC last time out, taking his total to 17 goal contributions in 15 matches since debuting for the club (including playoffs).

Only Lionel Messi, Anders Dreyer and Denis Bouanga have more goal contributions than Son since his debut in August.

FC Dallas – Petar Musa

Musa is, without a doubt, Dallas’ biggest threat in attack, having already scored twice this season.

The Croatian striker has scored 37 goals for Dallas since he arrived at the club from Benfica in 2024.

MATCH PREDICTION – LOS ANGELES FC WIN

LAFC have won six straight home matches against Dallas after drawing the first meeting between the sides at BMO Stadium in May 2018. They have outscored Dallas 12-2 over the six-match home winning streak.

This will be the first road game of the season for Dallas after winning their last away match of the 2025 regular season at Vancouver.

Dallas have not won two straight away league matches since May 2018, with wins at a Canadian team (Toronto FC) and a Los Angeles team (LA Galaxy).

Dallas ended a run of six straight regular-season matches while allowing a goal dating back to last season with a scoreless draw against Nashville. Dallas have not gone two straight league matches without conceding since April 2024.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Los Angeles FC – 66%

Draw – 18.5%

FC Dallas – 15.5%