Whitecaps' Rios looking to add to goal tally again against Dallas

Vancouver Whitecaps forward Daniel Rios said he is hoping to continue scoring throughout the postseason after bagging in their MLS Cup playoff Game 1 victory against FC Dallas.

Rios scored the opening goal in Vancouver's 3-0 win against Dallas last time out, with Thomas Muller and Kenji Cabrera also getting on the scoresheet at BC Place.

The Whitecaps can now secure their place in the Western Conference semi-finals if they win game two of their best-of-three series at Toyota Stadium on Saturday.

And Rios, who has scored four goals and provided three assists this season, wants to continue his impact in the attacking third.

"When we were getting closer to the playoffs, those last two or three games, I was starting to sharpen up and think more about goals," said Rios.

"But it does not matter if I score or not. I was grateful to help the team by scoring in the playoffs. It is the most important part of the season. And like I said, I’m trying to help with everything defensively and offensively.

"[Our] mentality [is the difference]. We have to go out there on Saturday and show it again. We know we are playing away, and we know that Dallas will be playing with a bit more confidence.

"But we also know we will play with everything we have in order to win the game."

Dallas will take some hope into game two knowing they beat Vancouver on Decision Day, although they played against 10 men from the 11th minute onwards.

Eric Quill's side also finished the season with a strong run of form, losing just twice in their final 13 regular-season games (W6 D5).

PLAYERS TO WATCH

FC Dallas – Michael Collodi

Michael Collodi made seven saves in Game 1, his most in any match for Dallas or their MLS Next Pro team, North Texas SC.

The only goalkeeper to make more saves in any match across all competitions this season for Dallas was Jacob Jackson, with 11 in September against St. Louis City SC.

Vancouver Whitecaps – Thomas Muller

Muller has scored nine goals in as many games across all competitions since his first MLS match on August 17.

He is tied for the fourth-most goals by an MLS player in that span, behind only Lionel Messi (15), Denis Bouanga (10) and Sam Surridge (10).

MATCH PREDICTION – VANCOUVER WHITECAPS WIN

Vancouver have three wins in their five playoff games since the beginning of last season (L2), as the Whitecaps have scored 12 goals across those five matches.

They had one win in 10 all-time MLS Cup playoff games (D2 L7) prior to that, scoring 10 goals in total.

Dallas, meanwhile, have scored in all but one of their last 21 home MLS Cup playoff games, with the lone shutout in that time coming against the New York Red Bulls in 2011.

Since MLS went back to two conferences (from three) in 2002, Dallas have scored in all 15 of their home playoff games against Western Conference teams.

Vancouver have lost just one of their last eight road games against Dallas (W4 D3) after losing eight straight across all competitions to start the series.

The Whitecaps have scored in each of their last eight visits to Frisco after being shut out five times in their first eight road matches in the fixture.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

FC Dallas – 31.3%

Draw – 25.2%

Vancouver Whitecaps – 43.5%