/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72788366/1668965128.0.jpg "Son Heung-min: The Missing Piece? Delgado Praises Impact Ahead of FC Dallas Clash")
FC Dallas prepares to host Los Angeles FC, seeking consecutive home wins for the first time this season. LAFC, boosted by the arrival of Son Heung-min, aims to disrupt Dallas’s home advantage. Mark Delgado emphasizes Son’s positive impact on LAFC’s fluidity and energy. Players to watch include Petar Musa for Dallas and Son Heung-min for LAFC. Historically, home advantage has been crucial in this fixture, but LAFC’s recent form and Son’s influence might shift the balance.
FC Dallas is set to face Los Angeles FC at Toyota Stadium on Saturday, aiming to secure their first back-to-back home wins of the MLS season. Currently, Dallas finds themselves just three points shy of the Western Conference playoff line following a 1-1 draw with Austin FC. Meanwhile, LAFC holds the fifth position in the conference after a convincing 2-0 victory against the New England Revolution last weekend.
Despite their struggles at home, with only three home wins this season (the joint-fewest in the Western Conference), Dallas will look to capitalize on any weaknesses LAFC might present. The last encounter between these two teams saw LAFC emerge victorious with a 2-0 win in July. However, Dallas fans will recall their team's 3-1 triumph over the same opponents in last year's fixture at Toyota Stadium, hoping for a repeat performance.
Next Stop: Dallas #LAFC | @Ticketmaster pic.twitter.com/bWLXjPbUhh
— LAFC (@LAFC) August 20, 2025
The arrival of Son Heung-min at LAFC has undoubtedly made an impact, with the team remaining unbeaten in all three games across all competitions since his inclusion. Team-mate Mark Delgado has been particularly vocal about the positive influence the South Korean international has brought to the squad.
“Son’s addition has helped, certainly from my perspective, in linking up plays and keeping the fluidity of the game going,” Delgado noted. “He makes great runs in-behind as well, and he’s always looking to be an option and help out. I think before Son, we had lots of appearances, but I think we were very much up and down, but I think the addition of Son is just going to bring everything together. His first game against Chicago, he came in and brought a lot of energy, brought in quality, and now today, again, he’s working really hard, covering ground, and staying connected to the group. He’s that missing piece we’ve been looking for.”
Delgado’s comments highlight the transformative effect Son has had on LAFC’s dynamic, injecting both quality and consistency into their play. The team's improved cohesion and Son’s ability to create opportunities have made them a more formidable opponent.
Players to Watch:
FC Dallas – Petar Musa: Since joining from Benfica in 2024, Petar Musa has been a revelation for FC Dallas. With 37 goal involvements in just 53 appearances, Musa has taken the MLS by storm. This season alone, the Croatian forward has found the net 13 times, making him Dallas’ leading goalscorer and a constant threat to opposing defenses. Musa’s ability to find space, his clinical finishing, and his overall work rate make him a player LAFC will need to keep a close eye on.
Los Angeles FC – Son Heung-min: After an illustrious 10-year career with Tottenham in London, Son Heung-min’s move to Los Angeles FC has generated considerable excitement. He wasted no time in making his mark, registering his first assist for the club on Saturday. In doing so, he became the seventh Korean player to provide an assist in MLS and the second to achieve this feat for LAFC, following Kim Moon-Hwan in 2021. Son’s experience, pace, and vision make him a key player for LAFC, and his partnership with other attacking talents could prove decisive.
Match Prediction: Los Angeles FC
Historically, home advantage has played a significant role in matches between Dallas and LAFC. The home team has won each of the last seven meetings. The last time Los Angeles FC secured a win in Dallas was in 2021, which also remains the only season where one team swept the season series. However, Steve Cherundolo’s side has been impressive on the road, extending their unbeaten away streak to seven games (W2 D5) with a recent win over the Revolution. This streak is tied for the longest road unbeaten run in MLS this season, alongside the Vancouver Whitecaps and New England, and equals the team’s longest regular-season streak.
Despite LAFC's road form, Dallas has shown resilience at Toyota Stadium, winning two of their last three home MLS matches after a slow start to the season where they won just one of their first 10 home games in 2025. Fresh off a 2-0 win over Portland, Dallas will be eager to win consecutive MLS home games for the first time since a three-game winning streak in July 2024. The match promises to be a tightly contested affair, but LAFC's overall form and the impact of Son Heung-min might just give them the edge.
Opta Win Probability:
- Dallas FC – 28.8%
- Draw – 24.5%
- Los Angeles FC – 46.7%