Vancouver Whitecaps vs. FC Dallas MLS Preview and Prediction

It’s the final week of the MLS regular season, and the MLS playoff wild card matches begin on Oct. 22. The Eastern Conference wild card spots are set, but in the West, the San Jose Earthquakes, Colorado Rapids, Real Salt Lake and FC Dallas are all vying for the remaining seats at the MLS playoff table.

The Whitecaps took first place in the West by three points, so another draw or win tonight will solidify their top-seeded spot. Meanwhile, a draw for Dallas is good enough to clinch a playoff spot. The stakes have never been higher, and the payoffs mean everything. Get ready for an epic finisher between the Vancouver Whitecaps and FC Dallas Saturday at 9 p.m. ET, and check out my picks for the game below.

Vancouver is a -200 favourite to win on the MLS odds, while Dallas is a +450 underdog. A regulation draw is listed at +375.

Vancouver Whitecaps vs. FC Dallas MLS Odds and Betting Trends

The two Western Conference teams have faced off 32 times, both with 12 wins each and nine draws to boot. Their last five meetings saw two wins go to the Whitecaps, one go to FC Dallas, two draws and a total of just 10 goals. Vancouver won the most recent showing 1-0 in March in Dallas territory.

Vancouver is the heavy favourite tonight at -200 on the moneyline. While the ‘Caps secured a playoff spot this year, the choice is theirs as to whether they come in as a first or second seed, as a draw (+375) is all that’s needed to keep the top spot. Dallas is desperate, though, and while all they need to secure a playoff spot is a draw, they are underdogs for the night at +450. An over 3.5 goals is less likely at +120, whereas under 3.5 comes in at -175.

Vancouver Whitecaps

The Whitecaps are concluding their best season yet with their dream of chasing their first-ever MLS Cup trophy in franchise history alive and well. They took home the Canadian Championship trophy on Oct. 1, and recently leapfrogged San Diego FC to take first place in the West with 63 points after defeating Orlando City SC 2-1 last Saturday.

There is no shortage of talent on the Whitecaps this season, even with 18-goal Brian White still nursing his lingering hamstring injury. Daniel Rios and Rayan Elloumi are the highest likely goal scorers on the night, followed by Nelson Pierre at +145, Ryan Gauld and Thomas Müller (six goals) at +150, and Emmanuel Sabbi (seven goals) at +150.

FC Dallas

FC Dallas will need to put their best lineup forward and risk it all, even with playoffs potentially on the horizon. They sit in eighth place in the West with 41 points, while Real Salt Lake (40 points), Colorado Rapids (40 points) and San Jose Earthquakes (38 points) all draw close to wild card spots – so at least a draw for Dallas is necessary. They can do it, as their last five games have been solid with a 3-2 record and 10 goals scored, but facing the first-place Whitecaps is a worst-case scenario for them.

Forward Petar Musa (18 goals and six assists) is suspended for the match, making matters even worse for Dallas. This leaves Anderson Julio (six goals this season) as the team’s highest probable anytime goalscorer tonight at +280, along with Louicius Don Deedson (three goals) at the same odds.

MLS Prediction: Who Will Win Vancouver Whitecaps vs. FC Dallas?

There are two major things to consider here. FC Dallas are in a must-draw / must-win scenario to snag a spot in the playoffs, while the Whitecaps are in a must-draw / must-win scenario to take a first seed for certain. If Dallas doesn’t win tonight, it’s up to the results of other games to determine their fate. 

Vancouver has proven to be scary offensively with 26 goals in their last eight matches, and I expect them to come out with at least a 2-1 win tonight at -200 – which hits the under 3.5 goal tally (-150) and even gives Dallas the +1.5 spread at -175.