Live from Los Angeles

Afterburn Soccer will cover FC Dallas' regular season closer at Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles this evening.

It’s a weird thing to say, but tonight is the most important game of the season for FC Dallas.

Of course, all of Dallas’ recent matches have been in the same category, but at least, there was a margin for error. There are no more makeup games after tonight. FC Dallas goes into the situation knowing that their best hope is to win against the Los Angeles Galaxy if they want to leave all doubts about playoff positioning behind them.

The Galaxy are not going to play along, of course, seeking to close out the regular season with a strong performance in front of their home crowd.

So, yes, it all comes down to this.

What should Nico say to the team?

I think it is imperative that the team stay focused defensively early on and then pick those moments to push Los Angeles. They will have those moments. The Galaxy will try to attack and be entertaining. Dallas will have opportunities on the counter to grab a goal or two.

But my main thing to tell the team - have fun. Some of these recent draws have had moments of joy, but FC Dallas have looked and played like the world is on their shoulders. Go out and express yourself.

Afterburn will be on the scene.

I’ll be in the stadium’s press box to follow the action. Follow our Notes here on Stubstack for the play-by-play updates as they happen and for post-game comments from Nico and crew.