FC Dallas' formula: Beat Galaxy, clinch playoff berth

FC Dallas would clinch a Western Conference playoff berth on Saturday night if they can defeat the Los Angeles Galaxy for the second straight weekend when the teams meet in Carson, Calif.

A 2-1 home win over the Galaxy last weekend set up FC Dallas for the clinching opportunity. Dallas sits eighth in the Western Conference and controls its own destiny.

"Obviously, it's the biggest game of the year and we have been saying that about every game leading up to it," FC Dallas goalkeeper Michael Collodi said Thursday. "All we got to do is get into the playoffs and we have a chance at winning the Cup."

FC Dallas (10-11-11, 41 points) are one point ahead of both Real Salt Lake and the Colorado Rapids and three points in front of the San Jose Earthquakes. Only two of those four teams will make the playoffs.

Dallas has been thriving behind an eight-match unbeaten stretch (4-0-4) and hasn't fallen since a 4-3 setback against visiting New York City FC on July 25.

Petar Musa has been a force with a goal in each of the past five matches. He has 18 on the season to tie the franchise single-season mark shared by Jason Kreis (1999), Kenny Cooper (2008) and Jesus Ferreira (2022).

Last weekend, Los Angeles took the early lead on a fourth-minute goal by Diego Fagundez. Musa scored the tying goal in the 35th minute and Patrickson Delgado netted the decisive tally in the third minute of first-half stoppage time.

Now comes the tricky part -- playing the same team two matches in a row.

"We're playing really well and we know what we want," Dallas coach Eric Quill said. "We have to keep grinding, stay humble and be aggressive again this weekend. Playing a team back-to-back isn't easy."

The defending MLS champion Galaxy (5-18-9, 24 points) are playing out the string of a disappointing season.

Fagundez is tied for second on the squad with six goals, trailing Joseph Paintsil (nine). He has been a constant standout in the eyes of coach Greg Vanney.

"He's been one of our most important players for the whole season because he's out there, shows up every single day," Vanney said. "He's ready to play every single game."

Despite the club's poor record, Fagundez feels the Galaxy have been improving late in the season.

"I think overall, I think we're a better team," Fagundez said before touching on the Dallas game. "... Now we turn it around and play them again and we need to make sure that we play aggressive."