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FC Dallas vs. Vancouver Whitecaps Match Preview: Decision Day Showdown at BC Place

FRISCO, Texas (Oct. 18, 2025) — It all comes down to Decision Day in Major League Soccer as FC Dallas (13-10-10, 49 pts) travels north to face Vancouver Whitecaps FC (12-9-12, 48 pts) on Saturday, October 18, at 8 p.m. CT inside BC Place. With playoff positioning on the line, both sides will enter the pitch knowing this final regular-season clash could determine their postseason fate.


🔴 FC Dallas: Finishing Strong

After a season filled with late-game dramatics, youth breakthroughs, and record-breaking performances, FC Dallas enters Decision Day aiming to build momentum heading into the playoffs. The club’s attacking centerpiece, Petar Musa, has been in top form—joining franchise legends Jason Kreis, Kenny Cooper, and Jesús Ferreira as the only Dallas players to score 18 goals in a single MLS season.

Musa’s production has been nothing short of historic:

  • 34 goals across two seasons — the most in club history over any two-year span.

  • 18 goals in 2025, tied for fourth-most in MLS.

  • 16 goals from open play, trailing only global stars Lionel Messi, Sam Surridge, and Denis Bouanga.

The Croatian striker has been lethal inside the box, converting 10 of 13 clear-cut chances this season. Alongside him, young contributors like Logan Farrington and Pedrinho have added valuable scoring depth. Farrington, who netted his fifth goal of the season against LAFC, has emerged as one of Dallas’ most efficient finishers.

Defensively, Dallas has leaned heavily on goalkeeper Jake Oettinger, who continues to provide consistency in net. Michael Collodi, the homegrown keeper who recorded a shutout in his MLS debut earlier this year, gives Dallas a reliable option should rotation be needed. Veteran Maarten Paes also celebrated his 100th MLS start this season, wearing the captain’s armband for the first time.

The club’s balance of experience and youth has been a highlight in 2025, with promising midfielder Joshua Torquato becoming one of the youngest starters in team history at just 17 years and 357 days.


⚪ Vancouver Whitecaps: Defending Home Turf

For the Whitecaps, this game is just as crucial. Vancouver enters Decision Day with one of the league’s most dynamic attacking duos in Brian White and Ryan Gauld. White, who has scored four times against Dallas in his career, remains a consistent threat inside the penalty area.

The Whitecaps have been strong at home, unbeaten in five of their last six at BC Place, and will look to extend their dominance against Dallas—particularly given recent history. The Whitecaps have not lost to FC Dallas since 2018 and took the previous meeting in Frisco on March 15, 2025.

Vancouver’s defensive structure has been anchored by Tristan Blackmon and goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka, who has recorded double-digit clean sheets this season.


⚔️ Series History and Statistical Edges

The all-time regular-season series between the clubs stands dead even at 11-11-9, though Vancouver holds a slight 39-37 edge in goals scored. Dallas has struggled in British Columbia, with a 3-7-6 all-time road record against the Whitecaps.

Key metrics favor Dallas when playing from ahead — they are 7-2-1 when leading at halftime and 6-2-1 when scoring first. However, the team has struggled to recover when trailing, holding just a 4-10-8 record when conceding first.

For Vancouver, fast starts have been vital; they’ve scored nine of their goals this season between the 16th and 30th minutes, while Dallas tends to strike back early in second halves, leading the league in goals scored between the 46th and 60th minutes.


🔥 What to Watch

  1. Musa’s Momentum: Can the Dallas striker hit the 20-goal mark?

  2. Defensive Discipline: Dallas must contain Brian White and deny early set-piece chances.

  3. Playoff Seeding: With both clubs separated by just one point, a win could mean home-field advantage in Round 1.


📺 Match Details

  • Kickoff: Saturday, Oct. 18 – 8:00 p.m. CT

  • Venue: BC Place, Vancouver, British Columbia

  • Broadcast: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV

  • Radio: The Ticket 96.7 FM / 1310 AM


As Decision Day arrives, FC Dallas finds itself on the edge of another playoff run—powered by Petar Musa’s scoring brilliance and a hungry young roster. A win in Vancouver would not only end a seven-year drought on Canadian soil but also send a message that the Toros are ready to make noise in the postseason once again.

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