STWF Sports | FRISCO, Texas | May 16, 2026 — FC Dallas heads west this weekend looking to snap a decade-long drought and regain momentum in the Western Conference playoff race when it faces the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday night at PayPal Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. CT.

The matchup presents another important early-season test for head coach Eric Quill and a Dallas side that has shown flashes of becoming one of the more dangerous attacking teams in Major League Soccer during the 2026 campaign.

The Resilience of FC Dallas in the Western Conference

Dallas enters the contest with a 5-4-4 record and 19 points through 13 matches, sitting firmly in the middle of a crowded Western Conference standings race.

The club is coming off a tough 3-2 home loss to Vancouver Whitecaps FC earlier this week, a match in which Dallas led twice before late defensive breakdowns allowed Vancouver to escape with all three points.

Despite the defeat, FC Dallas continues to produce offensively at one of the best rates in MLS.

Dallas ranks tied for sixth in the league with 25 goals scored while also ranking second in MLS in goals from open play with 20. The club has generated consistent pressure in transition and remains one of the league’s most active crossing teams, sitting tied for seventh in MLS with 157 crosses.

Much of that attacking success has centered around star striker Petar Musa.

The Croatian forward continues his breakout MLS campaign entering Saturday second in the league with 11 goals scored and fourth in MLS in total goal involvements with 12.

Musa has become one of the most clinical finishers in the league, particularly inside the box where 10 of his 11 goals have come from inside the penalty area. He also leads MLS in goals scored from open play with nine.

His consistency has helped transform Dallas into one of the more explosive offensive groups in the conference.

But while the attack has delivered, road success against Western Conference opponents remains a major hurdle.

Dallas enters Saturday 2-2-0 on the road overall this season but remains winless against Western Conference teams away from home at 0-2-0.

History also favors San Jose in this matchup.

The Earthquakes hold a 31-22-23 all-time regular-season advantage over Dallas and have traditionally been difficult to beat at home. FC Dallas owns just eight road wins in 39 regular-season visits to San Jose and has not won at the Earthquakes since July 8, 2016.

That nearly 10-year drought adds another layer of importance to Saturday’s contest.

Still, there are signs Dallas may finally be capable of ending that streak.

Quill’s squad has displayed improved resilience away from home this season and recently secured a breakthrough road victory against New York Red Bulls on May 2 — the club’s first-ever win at Red Bull Arena.

The roster has also become increasingly balanced offensively.

Dallas now features nine different goal scorers this season, including emerging contributors such as Logan Farrington, Sam Sarver, Kaick and Santiago Moreno.

Farrington, in particular, continues developing into one of MLS’ most promising young forwards. His fifth goal of the season against Vancouver kept him among the top-producing players from the 2024 MLS SuperDraft class.

Meanwhile, Dallas’ defense will face a San Jose side known for fast starts.

Historically, the Earthquakes have done much of their damage early in this series, scoring 26 goals against Dallas during the opening 15 minutes of matches.

Containing that early pressure will be critical for a Dallas defense that has struggled at times protecting leads this season. FC Dallas is undefeated when leading at halftime at 3-0-0 but remains winless when conceding first.

Veteran defender Osaze Urhoghide will again play a key role anchoring the backline. The center back currently ranks third in MLS in aerial challenges won with 38.

Goalkeeper Michael Collodi has also quietly become one of the league’s most reliable shot stoppers during his first full MLS season.

Saturday’s match closes a demanding stretch before attention across North Texas begins shifting toward the FIFA World Cup festivities arriving in the region later this summer.

For FC Dallas, however, the focus remains simple: finish strong before the break and finally leave San Jose with three points for the first time in nearly a decade.