VANCOUVER, British Columbia (Oct. 26, 2025) — The 2025 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs got off to a tough start for FC Dallas, who fell 3–0 to the Vancouver Whitecaps FC in Game 1 of their Round One Best-of-3 series on Sunday night at BC Place. The defeat leaves Dallas needing back-to-back wins to keep their postseason hopes alive as the series shifts to Toyota Stadium for Game 2.
A Night of Missed Opportunities
For head coach Eric Quill and his young Dallas squad, Sunday was a humbling reminder of playoff intensity. Vancouver came out with a vengeance after last week’s Decision Day loss to Dallas, dominating from start to finish.
“They outplayed us in every phase of the game,” Quill admitted post-match. “They were obviously very motivated, and we have to bounce back. We got humbled tonight.”
Dallas, who entered the postseason with momentum and key players returning from suspension, failed to find rhythm against Vancouver’s high press and compact defensive structure. The Whitecaps converted their chances clinically, capitalizing on defensive lapses and winning most of the physical battles in midfield.
Homegrown Talent Shines Despite Loss
If there was a silver lining for Dallas, it was the continued growth of Homegrown goalkeeper Michael Collodi, who made seven saves to keep the scoreline respectable. Collodi, making his postseason debut, showcased sharp reflexes and composure under pressure, extending his standout form from the regular season.
The young keeper now holds a 4-2-3 record in his starts this year and has quickly become one of the club’s most reliable performers. “Michael’s been incredible for us,” Quill said. “He’s mature beyond his years and gives everything for this team.”
Postseason Debuts and Growing Pains
It was a night of firsts for Dallas — and not all of them positive. Eleven players made their MLS postseason debuts, tying the 2010 and 2025 squads for the third-most in club history. Among them were Osaze Urhoghide, Ramiro, Kaick, Christian Cappis, Sam Sarver, Enes Sali, Logan Farrington, Pedrinho, Joshua Torquato, Petar Musa, and Collodi.
Despite the inexperience, Quill emphasized that these moments are crucial for long-term growth. “It’s part of the process,” he said. “You have to experience nights like this to learn what playoff soccer demands.”
Historical Context: Dallas vs. Vancouver
Sunday’s clash marked just the second MLS playoff meeting between the two clubs. The last came in 2014, when Dallas advanced with a 2–1 victory in the Western Conference Knockout Round — a match remembered for assistant coach Michel Garbini’s decisive goal.
However, history didn’t repeat itself this time. Vancouver’s depth and intensity proved too much for Dallas, who managed only a handful of shots on target.
The loss continues a trend in Dallas playoff history: the club has now played 15 postseason rounds or series against teams with better regular-season records, holding a 4–11 mark in such matchups.
Voices from the Locker Room
Midfielder Christian Cappis didn’t mince words after the match. “That was not what we wanted to do today,” he said. “It’s not what we expect from ourselves. We have to look inward and get ready for a win-or-go-home game next weekend. We can’t do what we did today and expect to win.”
Cappis emphasized the importance of returning home for Game 2. “There’s no better place for us to turn this around than at home,” he said. “We owe it to our fans. We’re going to show up, play for them, and if we play to our level, I have no doubt we can get a result.”
Next Up: Win or Go Home
Game 2 of the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs Round One series takes place Saturday, Nov. 1, at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. Kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m. CT, airing live on MLS Season Pass (available free for Apple TV subscribers) with audio streaming on the official FC Dallas app.
Tickets are available at FCDallasTickets.com, and the club is urging fans to pack the stadium for what will be a must-win showdown.
Final Thoughts
The defeat in Vancouver was a harsh reality check for a youthful, evolving FC Dallas team. But with home-field advantage in Game 2 and lessons learned from their playoff baptism, Quill’s squad will have a chance to reset and respond.
As Quill put it succinctly: “We’ll take a look at it, figure out where we got it wrong, and get back to that win-or-go-home mentality. We’re not done yet.”
