LOS ANGELES — On Saturday, 20-year-old David Martínez scored a crucial goal for Los Angeles Football Club, leading the team to a 1-0 victory over FC Dallas and preserving LAFC’s perfect start to the 2026 Major League Soccer season. The match, held at BMO Stadium before a crowd of 22,130, saw LAFC improve to nine points from nine possible in the MLS campaign, extending their unbeaten run to five wins in all competitions.
Early Struggles Give Way to Determined Performance
The game began with both teams cautious and unsettled, as LAFC struggled to assert control against a well-organized Dallas side. However, under head coach Marc Dos Santos, LAFC eventually found stability, managing to hold Dallas scoreless while creating key chances. The Black & Gold’s persistence paid off midway through the second half, when Martínez struck decisively from 25 yards out to break the deadlock.
Marc Dos Santos Reflects on Growth and Adaptation
Dos Santos acknowledged the contrast with previous seasons, noting how LAFC might have lost similar games in the past.
“I remember last year, if you think about games like this, we would lose,”
Dos Santos said.
“We would lose 1-0 against Portland or Austin on a set play. We were able to find solutions at the end of the day and win the game.”
David Martínez Emerges as a Crucial Offensive Threat
Since signing with LAFC at 17 from a small town in Venezuela, Martínez has faced a period of adjustment. His confidence and impact have grown significantly under Dos Santos, whose tactical changes have allowed Martínez to thrive in more familiar attacking pockets. The young forward’s development was evident in his dominant performance on Saturday, demonstrating growing maturity and efficiency.
“I feel I’ve been more mature,”
Martínez said. I’ve been taking every opportunity.
“David needed time to adapt to everything,”
Dos Santos explained.
That’s No. 1. And No. 2, what I felt, is he’s more comfortable in inside pockets, and I was just trying to bring a guy who was a little bit too much outside in my opinion and bring him in pockets where he will be comfortable.
Dos Santos also emphasized the close mentoring relationship he shares with Martínez.
“He sees me like maybe his big brother and he knows when it’s not good, I’m going to tell him,”
he said.
Sometimes I call him in and he looks at my eyes and he says, ‘Oh no.’ So we have this relationship.
Veteran Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris Provides Key Defensive Stability
At 39, French goalkeeper and 2014 World Cup winner Hugo Lloris continues to be a vital presence for LAFC. He matched his cumulative save tally from his previous three matches in just the first 30 minutes on Saturday, ending the game with five saves that preserved the clean sheet. His reflexes and composure were crucial in frustrating Dallas forwards, including Logan Farrington and Petar Musa.
“Listen, he’s a Rolls-Royce,” Scottish defender Ryan Porteous said of Lloris.
“He’s someone who I think, for the first three games, hadn’t had a lot to do. A couple good saves but ultimately it was pretty quiet and I think he’ll be happy about that. But tonight he was called upon, and that’s what top goalkeepers do.”
Lloris’s leadership was also praised by Dos Santos, who highlighted his positive influence on and off the field.
“Everybody is playing a role that allows us to be in a position where we don’t concede,”
he said.
And today [Lloris] was really important in that. He’s a leader. He’s a great guy. He trains well. He has a good personality in training with everyone. Some people, when they open their mouth, it’s not very good. Him, every time he opens his mouth, it’s really good. It’s a talent.”
Team Dynamics and Tactical Challenges During the Match
Throughout much of the first half, LAFC appeared uncertain in how to break down Dallas’s steadfast defensive setup, which employed a compact 5-4-1 formation. Dallas goalkeeper Michael Collodi made several critical saves to keep his side in the match, denying attempts by LAFC’s Denis Bouanga and Son Heung-min. Despite the attacking pressure, neither Son nor Bouanga managed to score in their third consecutive fixture.
Son received a yellow card early on after being penalized in the penalty area but remained on the field for the entire match, while Bouanga was substituted late. Dos Santos emphasized the importance of collective effort in unlocking future offensive potential.
“Imagine the team when the two are going to unlock,”
he said.
I keep saying to win, you need to be a team. To be a team, you can’t rely on one or two guys. You have to rely on everyone. I like that direction, and I’m very excited about when other things are going to unlock.”
Decisive Goal Underscores Martínez’s Rising Influence
The 55th-minute goal from Martínez marked his second game-winning score of the MLS season and his third in all competitions, coming off a patient build-up that involved Canadian midfielder Stephen Eustáquio. Martínez’s powerful left-footed strike proved unstoppable, beating Collodi despite the goalkeeper’s desperate reach.
Martínez’s ability to perform under pressure reflects his growing importance as LAFC pushes for success in a demanding schedule, which includes four matches in 12 days this February and a run of five games in 16 days.
Looking Ahead to CONCACAF Champions Cup Clash
Following this demanding outing, LAFC prepares for the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 against Costa Rican club Alajuelense at BMO Stadium. That match is a critical step for the Black & Gold as they seek continental success.
Coach Dos Santos stressed the importance of recovery and squad freshness heading into this fixture.
“I would say the game on Tuesday is very important because the second leg is away,”
he said.
We have to recover well and have the freshest team possible.”
