Los Angeles, CA- FC Dallas’ (1-4-4) struggles on the road continued after losing 2-0 against LAFC (3-3-3) on Wednesday night. However, Jimmy Maurer had his share of good saves to help the team remain in the game.

FC Dallas traveled to Los Angeles for a much-needed win, looking to turn around their winless ways. Head Coach Luchi Gonzalez featured seventeen-year-old Justin Che in his starting lineup for the first time. At 17 years and 217 days, Justin is the fourth-youngest player to start for FC Dallas behind Paxton Pomykal, Eddie Johnson, and Jesus Ferreira. Bressan also returned to the starting lineup after missing the last game as he had received his green card.

Justin Che’s Debut Reactions

Luchi Gonzalez commented on Justin Che’s overall performance and what the future holds for him:

“Justin joined us two weeks ago; he earned the opportunity tonight by showing immediate performances in training and the ability to play different positions in the backline. For a young player, he’s got a great instinct defensively to cover space, close things down, aggressive, smart, responsible, good physical qualities with speed, coordination, with the ball, he plays simple. He has a lot to learn still, but he’s going to continue to grow but what a great potential really proud of him and think he had a positive performance tonight and is going to continue to grow, and I believe he will help the team to be the best they can.”

Justin Che commented about his performance today and his expectations:

“There is always that expectation that you must perform and I thought I held up my own grudge today. I did my part defensively, but also helped offensively by sending balls in. I mean the atmosphere was great, there were many people here today, but I wasn’t really focused on the people there. I kind of blocked the noise out and just helped the team as much as I could today.”

First half

LAFC quickly opened up the score in the first minutes of play via Carlos Vela’s shot in front of goal. For the rest of the first half, LAFC was more dangerous up front with nine shots but only tested Jimmy Maurer twice. FC Dallas had their fair share of shots, but none to complicate LAFC’s Tomas Romero.

Head Coach Luchi Gonzalez said:

“We knew the game was going to start with them pushing forward right away. That was our observation from their last few home games. So we anticipated that but we still conceded quite early with the shot by (Carlos) Vela. So that was a disappointing start when we talked and prepared very thoroughly to prevent them getting on the score sheet within the first 10 minutes.”

Just too, too, too good.

Atuesta links up with Vela for the opener! #LAFCvDAL pic.twitter.com/rmrxUXJ8ZS

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 24, 2021

Second Half

The second half was no different than the first half with continued efforts from the home side to extend their lead and Jimmy Maurer again making big saves to keep his team in the game. LAFC was able to break Maurer on the 69th minute of the game. After a controversial goal for a possible offside, the referee validated the second goal of the night after a VAR review.

After video review…count it for @LAFC!

Vela sets up Latif for a 2-0 lead. #LAFCvDAL pic.twitter.com/jBz3qTVhBr

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 24, 2021

Luchi Gonzalez made some substitutions bringing on Franco Jara, Paxton Pomykal, Freddy Vargas, Johnny Nelson, and Andrés Ricaurte in hopes to turn things around. Their attacking efforts were easily controlled by LAFC’s defense. Despite all the juggling, FCD only managed to shoot once on target.

Post-Match Reactions

Luchi Gonzalez commented on what the message to the players was after the game:

“It’s about honesty. It’s about looking in the mirror, all of us. Staff, players, and it’s not about talent. I think every team has talent. It’s about collective effort for 90 minutes to win and do it for the jersey and for our fans, for each other, and for our families. So, it’s not good enough.”

Jimmy Maurer also commented on Wednesday night’s game:

The biggest thing is that we can’t get our heads down. We have to keep pushing and moving forward and just solve these problems. We’re in the game for large stretches and then there’s mental breakdowns and not making the right moves as a team. It’s not just in the backline. Our whole team is not on the same page sometimes and then it breaks down and it opens us up, so we all have to be on the same page from the back and put the work in and not switch off in these moments that hurt us.

Upcoming games for FC Dallas

FCD remains at the bottom of the Western Conference with only seven points. FC Dallas has been able to keep just one clean sheet this whole season, conceding 14 goals in the process. FCD’s attacking struggles continue as well as they’ve managed to score nine goals this season.

FC Dallas returns to Toyota Stadium on Sunday, June 27, when they host Eastern Conference team New England Revolution. This will prove to be a tough match for FCD as New England has not lost in their last six games and winning five of those. After their match on Sunday, FC Dallas will celebrate a second consecutive match against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on July 4.