After a strong start to its 2026 campaign, LAFC (5-0-0) remained unbeaten in all competition play after defeating FC Dallas 1-0 on March 7 at BMO Stadium.
The Black and Gold are currently one of six remaining unbeaten clubs in MLS. LA is one of four MLS clubs to open 2026 with three straight wins — the only club to do so without conceding a goal in regular season play.
“At the start of the season, there was a big emphasis on if we keep clean sheets and defend properly, then we will win games,” LAFC defender Ryan Thomas said. “We’ve got too much quality in the final third [positions], and we’re also getting other goals from other places from the midfield [and] players other than [Son Heung-min] and [Denis Bouanga].”
Considering LA’s heavy game load between MLS and Concacaf Champions Cup play, LAFC head coach Marc Dos Santos has yet to make a change to the starting lineup in the first three games of the new MLS regular season.
With Dallas adjusting to a 5-4-1 formation, LAFC struggled to get near the goal against a deep and tight formation, eager for a breakthrough opportunity.
In the 56th minute, that opportunity came after LAFC’s David Martínez scored a screamer from outside of the box to give LA a 1-0 lead after a scoreless first half.
“When Dallas dropped [formation], we were patient, and that’s what we've been speaking a lot about,” Dos Santos said. “Against blocks like that, we have to be patient and recycle, and we don't have to win the game at minute one. It’s great that David got rewarded.”
The Venezuelan forward has now recorded three goals in all competitions to start the new year with two of them occurring in MLS play.
“I think it was a great game and I'm really thankful for all the opportunities, " Martínez said. “I feel like I’ve been more mature and have been taking every opportunity, and as a team we’ve just been getting better.”
LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris kept the match close after FC Dallas kept the veteran busy throughout the match.
The vintage performance led to Lloris finishing with five saves and a pair of diving stops to save LA from settling for a point at home. The Frenchman now has three clean sheets to start the new season.
“It was the World Cup champion that showed up in an amazing way [with] big saves,” Dos Santos said.
Dallas started off the match hot, displaying quality buildups around LAFC’s penalty box early, but couldn’t complete the finishing touch.
The high production from Dallas’ offense led to the club finishing with seven corner kick attempts and four shots on goal.
The closest opportunity for Dallas to tie the match came after Petar Musa’s shot was saved by Lloris in a one-on-one faceoff with only a couple of minutes left in the match.
Since the club’s opening, LAFC has dominated Dallas at home with a 7-0-1 record.
LA will stay home to play the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 against Alajuelense on Tuesday, March 10, at 10 p.m. CST.
The club returns to MLS competition on Saturday, March 14, at home against St. Louis CITY at 9:30 p.m CST.
The Black and Gold are currently one of six remaining unbeaten clubs in MLS. LA is one of four MLS clubs to open 2026 with three straight wins — the only club to do so without conceding a goal in regular season play.
“At the start of the season, there was a big emphasis on if we keep clean sheets and defend properly, then we will win games,” LAFC defender Ryan Thomas said. “We’ve got too much quality in the final third [positions], and we’re also getting other goals from other places from the midfield [and] players other than [Son Heung-min] and [Denis Bouanga].”
Considering LA’s heavy game load between MLS and Concacaf Champions Cup play, LAFC head coach Marc Dos Santos has yet to make a change to the starting lineup in the first three games of the new MLS regular season.
With Dallas adjusting to a 5-4-1 formation, LAFC struggled to get near the goal against a deep and tight formation, eager for a breakthrough opportunity.
In the 56th minute, that opportunity came after LAFC’s David Martínez scored a screamer from outside of the box to give LA a 1-0 lead after a scoreless first half.
“When Dallas dropped [formation], we were patient, and that’s what we've been speaking a lot about,” Dos Santos said. “Against blocks like that, we have to be patient and recycle, and we don't have to win the game at minute one. It’s great that David got rewarded.”
The Venezuelan forward has now recorded three goals in all competitions to start the new year with two of them occurring in MLS play.
“I think it was a great game and I'm really thankful for all the opportunities, " Martínez said. “I feel like I’ve been more mature and have been taking every opportunity, and as a team we’ve just been getting better.”
LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris kept the match close after FC Dallas kept the veteran busy throughout the match.
The vintage performance led to Lloris finishing with five saves and a pair of diving stops to save LA from settling for a point at home. The Frenchman now has three clean sheets to start the new season.
“It was the World Cup champion that showed up in an amazing way [with] big saves,” Dos Santos said.
Dallas started off the match hot, displaying quality buildups around LAFC’s penalty box early, but couldn’t complete the finishing touch.
The high production from Dallas’ offense led to the club finishing with seven corner kick attempts and four shots on goal.
The closest opportunity for Dallas to tie the match came after Petar Musa’s shot was saved by Lloris in a one-on-one faceoff with only a couple of minutes left in the match.
Since the club’s opening, LAFC has dominated Dallas at home with a 7-0-1 record.
LA will stay home to play the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 against Alajuelense on Tuesday, March 10, at 10 p.m. CST.
The club returns to MLS competition on Saturday, March 14, at home against St. Louis CITY at 9:30 p.m CST.
