Dallas' Quill optimistic after gaining 'psychological edge' over Vancouver

FC Dallas head coach Eric Quill believes their Decision Day win against the Vancouver Whitecaps will give them a "psychological edge" in the playoffs.

Osaze Urhoghide and Kaick scored either side of Thomas Muller's penalty, while Mathias Laborda was also sent off early on for the Whitecaps, as Dallas won 2-1 on the final day of the regular season.

The two sides will go head-to-head once again on Sunday in Vancouver for the first leg of their playoff clash.

Not only did Dallas' victory see them automatically qualify for the first round of the postseason, but they also handed the Whitecaps their first defeat since August and denied them top spot in the Western Conference.

Quill is confident that Dallas can get another important result at BC Place as they look to return to their home leg with an advantage.

"It's huge, we spoke about that before the game even was played, that we'd be coming back there if we were successful," said Quill.

"So, what a great way to give yourself that psychological edge that you need to go back with belief in a playoff format. Now we understand what we're walking into.

"Obviously, the red card helped us on that night, but even 11 v 11, I still have total belief that we're going to go there and get a result."

Striker Logan Farrington added: "It's always nice to be the villain, especially in front of people that don't want you to be the hero.

"We've done amazing on the road and none of us are really phased by the big crowds screaming, yelling.

"I don't think it really matters for us. We're going there for one thing, and we'll be focused on that."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Vancouver Whitecaps – Thomas Muller

Muller's goal in the regular-season finale gave him 10 goal contributions this season (seven goals, three assists), making him the fifth Whitecaps player to reach double digits in 2025.

Only the Chicago Fire (six) had more such players do so in the 2025 regular season.  

FC Dallas – Petar Musa

Petar Musa has scored 11 goals in 14 regular-season matches since the beginning of July, trailing only Lionel Messi (19) and Denis Bouanga (16) in that span.

All other Dallas players in that time combined for 14 goals, with no other player scoring more than four (Farrington).

MATCH PREDICTION – VANCOUVER WHITECAPS WIN

Dallas earned their first road win over Vancouver since 2018 on Decision Day, ending a five-game winless run at BC Place (D2 L3).

Each of the last eight meetings in Vancouver have been decided by one goal or been draws, with only three multi-goal results in 17 all-time matches hosted by the Whitecaps.

Vancouver scored their eighth penalty of the season on Decision Day, their most in a regular season since 2014 (10) and tied for the most in MLS in 2025 with Nashville SC. Seven of the eight converted penalties came at home, tied for the most in a single regular season in MLS history.  

Dallas are making their 21st MLS Cup playoffs appearance, one of four clubs with at least 20 all-time MLS Cup playoff berths (New York Red Bulls, LA Galaxy, Sporting Kansas City). Dallas are the only one of those four to qualify this season and the only one that have never won an MLS Cup.

In their last six league matches, the Whitecaps have won three, drawn two and lost one. Dallas, meanwhile, have won four, drawn one and lost one in their last six.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Vancouver Whitecaps – 57%

Draw – 22.3%

FC Dallas – 20.7%