Week three presents a very different test for FC Dallas.
After opening the season with two straight home matches at Toyota Stadium, FC Dallas heads west to face LAFC at BMO Stadium. A venue that has historically not been a friendly spot for FC Dallas. The early returns in 2026 have mostly been positive for FC Dallas, but this match will reveal a lot about whether the team can translate that progress away from home.
Let’s discuss the items we’ll be looking out for this weekend.
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Containing LAFC’s attack
LAFC comes into 2026 with one of the most dangerous attacking groups in MLS.
Heung-min Son and Denis Bouanga run the show, as they are arguably the league’s best attacking duo. Bouanga’s ability to cut inside from the wings and attack defenders one-on-one forces defenses to constantly adjust. Son brings elite movement and finishing ability in the final third.
For FC Dallas, the defensive priorities are simple in theory, but are much harder in practice:
- Don’t allow Bouanga space to run at defenders
- Track Son’s movement off the ball
- Limit the free kick chances around the penalty area
- Limit the transition chances where LAFC thrives
Dallas will need to have discipline in their defensive shape.
Continue 2025’s road form in 2026
Last season, FC Dallas was weirdly better away from home than they were at Toyota Stadium. Part of that was a mentality that Eric Quill managed to get out of his team, and the other part usually came down to tactics.
Against LAFC, the priorities should be clear:
- Survive the opening pressure
- Stay compact defensively
- Take advantage of the moments in transition
Let’s also be honest, a road point against LAFC is not a bad result. But the bigger question may come down to whether or not FC Dallas can look composed and confident away from home in a new season.
The attack has to respond
Last week’s scoreless draw against Nashville SC produced very little from the Dallas attack. Depending on which stat service you view and trust, they only had a couple of shots on target.
Against a team like LAFC, in their own building, two shots on target won’t cut it.
FC Dallas has to be more aggressive going forward, especially when counterattacking opportunities appear. Petar Musa needs to be higher in the formation this weekend, not dropping deep to collect the ball like we saw against Nashville. He needs service in the penalty area, too.
The chances will likely be limited against LAFC, so this group has to make the most of what they do end up earning in this one.
Does Joaquin Valiente Start?
After earning his MLS debut last week, Quill told the press that he was hoping to start getting more minutes for Joaquin Valiente as he worked to push him into a larger role with the team.
Quill stated that he had about 30 minutes against Nashville, so could he double that this weekend on the road?
Valiente brings a different profile to the Dallas midfield:
- He is active on and off the ball
- He can open up defenses in the transition game
- And he is someone who other teams lack film on right now
Against a team like LAFC, his ability to keep the ball moving forward could be extremely valuable. Also, we can’t sleep on the fact that he could be a player that picks up a lot of fouls around the penalty area. LAFC is a team that Dallas can expose on free kicks.
If anything, we know we should see him get more minutes this weekend. The question comes down to whether or not Quill trusts him to get a start on the road or if he thinks he needs to wait for that until next weekend at home.
The Bottom Line
Usually three matches into the season, patterns begin to emerge.
If FC Dallas can defend with discipline, generate more attacking chances than it they did last week, and steal something on the road in LA, the early-season optimism will only grow.
Beating teams at home is one thing. But beating teams that are expected to contend for titles on the road are a totally different animal.
If you pick up a win or even steal a point in this environment, people around the league will have to start paying attention.
The free stuff tells you what happened. A paid subscription tells you why it happened, what it means for FC Dallas, and what’s coming next—before anyone else catches up.
