LAFC was back on the road, back in Texas, and back to trying to gather some more momentum and stack up some more wins as they look to regain the top spot in the conference before the approaching month-long break from MLS action. The black & gold were in Frisco, Texas this time around, going up against the always tough FC Dallas.
Rate limit exceeded. pic.twitter.com/vo1vZ341DX
— LAFC (@LAFC) July 2, 2023
The first half was a dominant one from LAFC. They tallied eight shots with two on target, keeping 60% of possession. FCD only put on two shots with neither finding the target, not getting much going on the attack side of the ball. The good news for them, was the continued frustrations Los Angeles has had to deal with in regards to finishing. Despite all the attempts, the visitors couldn’t get a single goal, going into the halftime break even, scoreless, hot, and giving the home side a chance at taking all three points at home.
LAFC paid dearly for leaving the door open, and it didn’t take long into the second half. In just the 55th minute, FC Dallas took advantage of a corner kick that went awry for the visitors. A ball that didn’t find anyone, seemed to be bouncing right into the arms of LAFC keeper John McCarthy, but FC Dallas’ Bernard Kamungo, had other ideas. Flying into the box to sneak a toe on it, and put it past the keeper for a goal in his first-ever MLS start.
Bernard Kamungo scores on his first MLS start for @FCDallas! #DTID
Watch for FREE on #MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV: https://t.co/6sAv6K7HpA pic.twitter.com/53oVqcjkpw
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 2, 2023
The goal was another where, despite the dominance from LAFC, they not only were unable to find one of their own, but couldn’t keep the opposition from conceding. The goal definitely woke the visitors up, with the black & gold adding another five shots to their tally, but only one of those found the target. It was clearly a night of struggles for a side that, despite sitting near the top of the standings, has had a month of matches to forget.
FC Dallas slammed the door on the visitors as the match began to come to a close. The home side secured their second goal of the match in the 90th minute, with Sam Junqua finding the absolute tiniest bit of space, taking that inch, and grabbing a foot with a massive strike from just outside the box that doubled the lead, and all but secured the victory at home.
Sam Junqua let it rip kid pic.twitter.com/YpKli3b3Mz
— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) July 2, 2023
The goal was indeed the nail in the coffin, as LAFC fell for the second match in a row. The loss is the team’s seventh since May 23rd, when they were eliminated from US Open Cup, courtesy of rivals LA Galaxy. Funnily enough, the team will have to focus up, as they face that very same LA Galaxy side, on Tuesday, for a 4th of July clash from Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena. The match has already been declared a sellout, with an expected, MLS record-breaking attendance, of over 80,000. The question is, will LAFC be able to regain their grip on Los Angeles, or will the Galaxy pull off another upset at the expense of their hated rivals?
Thoughts on the match tonight? Leave a comment below!