In Saturday's 3-1 loss to the New York Red Bulls at Toyota Stadium, FC Dallas fans saw something they hadn't witnessed since July 14, 2016: a first 11 without Michael Barrios.

That's because Barrios - who has two goals and five assists in 10 games this season - was suspended due to yellow-card accumulation, ending his consecutive MLS game streak at 96, second-longest in league history by a position player.

However, as FCD prepares to face LAFC twice this week - Thursday in the City of Angels and again Sunday in Frisco - they do so knowing their offensive playmaker will be back on the field as Dallas looks to arrest a three-game winless streak where it has netted just two goals.

"It was a difficult thing for me to watch from the sidelines, especially after the result of Saturday and not being able to help my teammates out," Barrios said after training Tuesday via a translator.

For his career, Barrios has 27 goals and 29 assists over 136 games, 116 of which have been starts for FCD. So, to say that he has been a dependable cog in the Dallas attack for these past few years is merely stating the obvious.

Still, teammates like Jacori Hayes are happy to see him back in the mix this week. "Yeah, he's a fast little guy," Hayes said of Barrios. "It'll be huge. He's been a staple for this team for years. We depend on him in our offense. It'll be nice to have him on the wing again."

FRISCO, TEXAS - APRIL 13: Jesus Ferreira #27 of FC Dallas celebrates his goal with Michael Barrios #21 in the first half against the Portland Timbers at Toyota Stadium on April 13, 2019 in Frisco, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)

First-year FCD head coach Luchi Gonzalez feels the weekend off will do Barrios good and that the veteran flank midfielder has been sharp in training so far this week.

And the Dallas mainstay is also choosing to see having last weekend off as a big positive, even as he watched his teammates lose by a pair to the Red Bulls. "[I feel] refreshed probably in terms of I got to rest," Barrios said. "But I did train with the rest of the team all week. I worked and trained 100 percent and continued to work."

As for facing the same opponent twice in a week, this isn't exactly a foreign experience for Gonzalez, but as always the key is to approach such a week one game at a time.

"Yeah, I've been through similar exercises in the academy, playing the same club back-to-back. Honestly, it's really focusing in on the first game," Gonzalez said. "The second one here at home is really not our focus. We have to give the full energy and desire and will to the one in LA. That's the most important one. That's the closest one. We're up for the challenge and we're looking forward for the opportunity."