FC Dallas vs. Toronto FC MLS Preview and Prediction
Catch the first week of the 2026 MLS season as plenty of games kick off Saturday through Sunday. There’s a lot in store this week, and teams will want to get their early lead on standings as soon as they can.
FC Dallas and Toronto FC clash after both having mediocre performances in 2025, but with a new year comes a fresh start. Dallas managed to reach the first round of the playoffs, but were quickly ousted by the Vancouver Whitecaps in both legs. Toronto will assuredly look to ameliorate their standards this year with the goal of making the playoffs.
FC Dallas vs. Toronto FC MLS Odds and Betting Trends
August 2011 marks the first of 16 meetings between the two clubs, where Dallas has gone on to win nine, while Toronto has only won three, including their last bout 3-1 in May 2024. A total of four draws have occurred, with this particular matchup never going scoreless, generally with three goals per game in their last five.
Both FC Dallas and Toronto FC sit right next to each other in terms of odds to win the MLS Cup this year at +5000, and it’ll be quite the long shot and surprise if they manage to do so. Dallas is the slight +110 home favourite on the MLS odds, challenged by their +210 Toronto visitors, with a draw priced at +250. With an average of three goals per game in this fixture, the over 2.5 is likely at -135.
Toronto FC
Toronto has actually had adequate success since its foundation in 2007, particularly in the 2016-2019 era, when it won the MLS Cup, Supporters’ Shield, and Canadian Championship in 2017, while also finishing runner-up in the MLS Cup in 2016 and 2019. Last season was rough for the Reds, finishing 12th in the East, 21 points behind a playoff spot with 14 losses and the most draws in the MLS (14). Forward Djordje Mihailovic still put in work with 13 goals and nine assists, which accounts for 22 of the team’s 37 goals. Centre forward Cassius Mailula comes in on loan from KV Kortrijk in the Challenger Pro League to hopefully offer some variety to Toronto’s attack, and get their chance creation numbers up to achieve at least a positive goal differential this season.
Mihailovic makes way as the team’s main hope in finding the back of the net anytime at +245 odds. It won’t be easy on away turf, with Toronto rarely scoring more than one goal per game on the road, so it’ll be up to supporting players like DeAndre Kerr (+290), a forward with four goals last season, to turn up the dial and get on the scoresheet.
FC Dallas
FC Dallas, on paper, is the better of the two sides before entering this gritty matchup, as the team progressed to the first round of playoffs before succumbing to finalists Vancouver. Both Tsiki Ntsabeleng (Mamelodi Sundowns) and Malachi Molina (Nashville SC) come in on loan to bolster the squad. Molina’s appearance will likely help decrease Dallas’s goals-allowed count, which was 55 last season. The team is glad Peter Musa returns after netting 18 of their 52 goals last season. Teammate Anderson Julio is another good attacking option with six goals to his name from last season.
Peter Musa takes the highest likely anytime goalscorer spot at +120 as he’s a towering 6’3″ Croatian threat, especially on corners and set pieces. Louicius Deedson was signed last year in July but has only played two games for the squad, and he comes in tonight at +195 odds to score, followed by Anderson Julio at +270.
MLS Prediction: Who Will Win FC Dallas vs. Toronto FC?
Based on their performance from last season, Toronto found it hard to overcome tied games and would often sit back on level scorelines to claim a point. They may have had 11 fewer goals scored against them last season, but they scored 15 fewer than their opponents here, and if no real changes happen on the field tomorrow, a similar outcome could ensue.
FC Dallas is at home, which already provides an advantage against Toronto, and with the combined firepower of Musa, Deedson, and Julio, Dallas should be able to get on the scoresheet. All things considered, Dallas look good to register a 2-0 win, and Toronto could be stunned without a response to the team’s opening goal, which was an issue all last season.