Enemy Scouting Report: LAFC
(image via LAFC)
The Houston Dynamo travel to LAFC for their first Sunday night matchup of the season. Here’s what you need to know about the Dynamo’s opponents this weekend.
The Dynamo have an all-time record of 2W-6L-2D at BMO stadium, but both of those wins have come in the Ben Olsen era. Olsen has a record of 2W-2L-0D at LAFC as Dynamo head coach. Last season, the Dynamo had a record of 0W-2L-1D in games played on Sunday.
LAFC started the MLS season in great form by winning 5 of their 6 opening games, keeping a clean sheet in all 6 of those games. However, they have had a congested schedule as of late, with this game being their 9th game in a month. That run of games has led to a drop in form for the Black and Gold, who have a record of 2W-3L-3D in all competitions in that timeframe (1W-2D-2L in MLS).
By The Numbers
LAFC have had an elite defense this season, leading the league in clean sheets with 8, and having the 5th lowest xG conceded (1.11xGA/90).
This comes despite LAFC barely controlling the ball in their games, they currently only average 44.9% possession, and mainly sit low before springing on the counter attack to create chances.
Thankfully for the Dynamo, LAFC will be without star forward Denis Bouanga, who has scored 10 goals in all competitions for LAFC this season, as he will be serving a suspension due to yellow card accumulation.
Head Coach
Marc Dos Santos
The longtime LAFC assistant coach took over after Steve Cherundolo stepped down at the end of last season. Dos Santos had previously served as the head coach for the Vancouver Whitecaps from 2018 to 2021. The Dynamo had a record of 2W-1L-1D against the Whitecaps with Dos Santos as head coach. Dos Santos won his first game against the Dynamo as LAFC head coach earlier this season when LAFC won 2-0 in Houston.
Last Five Matches
April 22 - LAFC 0-0 Colorado
April 25 - Minnesota 0-1 LAFC
April 29 - LAFC 2-1 Toluca (Champions Cup)
May 2 - San Diego 2-2 LAFC
May 6 - Toluca 4-0 LAFC (Champions Cup)
Last Match Staring XI (from Sofascore)
Here’s how LAFC lined up for their last MLS game, a 2-2 draw at San Diego.
2026 Roster
Goalkeepers: Cabral Carter, Thomas Hasal, Hugo Lloris
Defenders: Lorenzo Dellavalle, Ryan Hollingshead, Aaron Long, Kenny Nielsen, Sergi Palencia, Ryan Porteous, Eddie Segura, Artem Smolyakov, Nkosi Tafari
Midfielders: Amin Boudri, Mathieu Choiniere, Mark Delgado, Stephen Eustaquio, Matt Evans, Igor Jesus, Ryan Raposo, Jude Terry, Timothy Tillman
Forwards: Denis Bouanga, Tyler Boyd, Jeremy Ebobisse, David Martinez, Nathan Ordaz, Jacob Shaffelburg, Son Heung-Min, Adrian Wibowo