The LA Galaxy returned to Dignity Health Sports Park on October 11, 2025, with hopes of reversing their recent fortunes as they faced FC Dallas in a match that carried significant implications for both teams. The Galaxy, who have endured a difficult season with a record of 5 wins, 9 draws, and 18 losses, were desperate to find form, while FC Dallas, sitting at 10-11-11, came in riding a wave of momentum and still very much in the hunt for playoff positioning.
LA’s starting lineup featured several familiar faces and a few notable returns. Serbian goalkeeper Novak Mićović made his 26th start of the campaign, anchoring a back line consisting of John Nelson, captain Maya Yoshida, Emiro Garces, and Miki Yamane. The midfield trio included Diego Fagundez, Edwin Cerrillo, and Elijah Wynder, while the attack was spearheaded by Mauricio Cuevas, Gabriel Pec, and the young Brazilian talent, Matheus Nascimento.
For Galaxy supporters, the sight of Gabriel Pec back in the starting eleven was a welcome one. Pec, who had missed the previous match due to injury, has been a bright spot all season with eight goals and nine assists in 37 matches. His return brought a much-needed spark to the right wing. “He’s been one of our most consistent performers,” said a club spokesperson before kickoff, echoing the sentiment of many fans in the stands.
All eyes were also on Matheus Nascimento, the 16-year-old Brazilian forward on loan from Botafogo. Nascimento has notched three goals and three assists in 20 MLS appearances this year, showing flashes of brilliance that belied his age. Having already scored twice in LA’s 4-0 Leagues Cup win over Club Santos Laguna and being part of Brazil’s U-23 squad that won gold at the 2023 Pan American Games, Nascimento’s pedigree is clear. His rapid rise has made him one of the most intriguing young players in Major League Soccer.
In midfield, Diego Fagundez continued his march toward MLS history. Fresh off scoring his 79th career MLS goal in the previous match against FC Dallas, Fagundez entered the night with six goals and three assists in 2025. He’s inching ever closer to the exclusive 80/80 club—players with at least 80 goals and 80 assists in league play. Fagundez’s consistency over 421 career regular season matches has made him a fixture in the league’s record books, and he remains a vital cog in LA’s setup, especially with creative forces Marco Reus and Riqui Puig sidelined by injury.
Elijah Wynder, making his 11th career start, and Edwin Cerrillo, the team’s holding midfielder, rounded out the midfield. Both have stepped up amid the Galaxy’s injury woes, with Wynder earning his first career MLS goal earlier in the season and Cerrillo providing steady, if unspectacular, play at the base of midfield.
Defensively, LA’s struggles have been well-documented. The Galaxy conceded nine goals in their previous five matches, a stat that has haunted Mićović despite his shot-stopping ability. With only two clean sheets in his 18 starts, Mićović has faced a barrage of shots, tallying 61 saves but often left exposed by a porous defensive line. Injuries to key defenders like Zanka and Aude have only compounded the problem, forcing coach Greg Vanney to shuffle his backline repeatedly.
The return of Maya Yoshida to the starting lineup was a boost for the Galaxy. The veteran Japanese international, with six goals and five assists in 85 appearances since joining the club in 2023, has provided leadership and stability at the heart of defense. Yoshida’s experience, including stints in the Premier League with Southampton and appearances in three FIFA World Cups, is invaluable to a team desperately seeking direction.
Emiro Garces, celebrating his 24th birthday on matchday, started at right back. Garces has contributed two goals and two assists in 44 appearances for LA since arriving from Deportivo Pereira, where he helped secure a league title in Colombia. Miki Yamane, making his 25th start of the year, brought additional international pedigree and attacking thrust from the opposite flank, having been named to the J1 League Best XI three years running in Japan.
On the attacking front, Mauricio Cuevas offered versatility and a knack for timely contributions, while Gabriel Pec’s return was expected to ease the creative burden on Fagundez. Still, the absence of Reus and Puig loomed large, with the Galaxy’s buildup play often lacking the incisiveness needed to consistently threaten opponents.
FC Dallas, meanwhile, entered the contest with confidence. Unbeaten in four of their previous five matches and victorious over the Galaxy just a week prior, Dallas have found their groove at the right time. Their 2-1 win over LA on October 4 showcased their clinical approach, led by striker Petar Musa, who has netted 18 goals this season. Dallas’s away form has been particularly impressive—unbeaten in 12 of their last 15 on the road—thanks to a disciplined defensive structure and the ability to punish opponents on the counter.
With regular goalkeeper Maarten Paes away on international duty, Michael Collodi started in goal for Dallas. Collodi has stepped up admirably, recording two clean sheets in seven starts and showing poise under pressure. The Dallas defense, allowing just five goals in their last five games, has been a key factor in their late-season surge.
For the Galaxy, the stakes were as much about pride as playoff hopes. With their postseason aspirations all but dashed, LA’s focus shifted to finishing the season on a positive note and building momentum for 2026. “We have to play for the badge, for the fans, and for ourselves,” said an unnamed team source. “Every match is a chance to show what we’re about.”
The match itself began with LA pressing high, seeking to unsettle Dallas early. However, as has been the case all season, the Galaxy’s energy waned as the game wore on, and their defensive shape grew increasingly vulnerable to Dallas’s quick transitions. Without Reus and Puig to dictate tempo, LA’s attacks often fizzled out in the final third, leaving Mićović with plenty of work to do at the other end.
As the action unfolded under mild, clear skies in Carson, both sides had moments of promise. Nascimento and Pec combined well on a few occasions, while Fagundez orchestrated play from deep. But Dallas’s organization and Musa’s ever-present threat kept the Galaxy on edge. The visitors looked content to absorb pressure and strike on the break, a tactic that has served them well throughout the campaign.
With the match ongoing and playoff scenarios still in flux, both teams remain locked in a battle not just for points, but for identity and momentum. The Galaxy, battered by injuries and inconsistency, are searching for answers and a spark to carry into next season. Dallas, on the other hand, have their eyes firmly set on the postseason, determined to capitalize on their recent run of form.
As the final whistle approached, the sense of urgency was palpable. For LA, the path forward may be uncertain, but the fight remains. For Dallas, another disciplined performance could be the springboard to playoff success. With so much on the line, the drama at Dignity Health Sports Park is far from over.
