FC Dallas interim head coach Peter Luccin labelled his side’s upcoming fixture against Los Angeles FC as “crucial” if they are to make the playoffs this season.

The Toros fell to a 3-2 defeat to Real Salt Lake in their last encounter, leaving them 11th in the table and four points behind the playoff line with five games of the season remaining.

Dallas are winless in their last three MLS games, and Luccin reiterated the message to his players that this weekend could be their final chance at continuing their season.

“We need to be clear now,” Luccin started. "We cannot lie. We have a game on Saturday that could be our last chance, even though we have two games at home.

“Our last game was important, but this one is crucial for us if we want to try and reach the playoffs.

“It is just making sure everybody is in good shape. We are playing against a big team on Saturday, and we need to be prepared for that game.”

LAFC, meanwhile, were held by Dallas’ playoff rivals Austin FC in midweek, allowing a cluster of sides around them to threaten their third-place position.

Despite dominating for large parts of their encounter last time out, head coach Steve Cherundolo highlighted his side’s rushed approach to proceedings.

While the LAFC head coach acknowledged the fatigue setting in at this stage of the season, he said that some of the mistakes his players were making could cost them in the future.

“I thought with the ball we could have created more in the first half but were too rushed and impatient,” Cherundolo said.

“Our choice-making of passes was often times too risky, with not enough reward.”

“We’ve seen that before in recent weeks and that’s impossible to win games in a fatigued state at this stage of the season if you’re making errors like that.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

FC Dallas – Jesus Ferreira 

Ferreira scored his fourth regular-season direct free-kick goal for FC Dallas on Wednesday. Since 2010, the only Americans with more direct free-kick goals in regular season MLS play are Jeff Larentowicz and Chris Tierney (five each).

LAFC – Ryan Hollingshead

Hollingshead recorded his fourth assist of the season on Wednesday. With Hollingshead also having a goal in 2024, this is the sixth straight regular season the defender has contributed to at least five goals dating back to 2019.

MATCH PREDICTION: LAFC WIN

LAFC have lost two of its last 12 away matches in all competitions, including a 4-2 defeat to the Galaxy on Saturday (W8 D2). LAFC conceded seven times in the two losses over that span but allowed just four goals in the other 10 matches.

Dallas has suffered back-to-back home defeats in all competitions after losing just one of its previous 11 at home (W8 D2). Dallas have not lost three straight home matches in all competitions since September 2011.

However, recent fixture suggest Dallas hold the advantage. The home side has lost only one of the 11 all-time meetings between the two sides, a 3-2 LAFC win at Toyota Stadium in 2021. The home team has won each of the five meetings between Dallas and LAFC since.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

FC Dallas – 28%

Draw – 24.2%

LAFC – 47.8%