2014 MLS Cup Playoffs: FC Dallas Returns to the Postseason

Welcome back to the riffram soccer blog! While the majority of my posts are about international soccer, I'll occasionally highlight important events from the MLS. After all, soccer can't get more popular here if people don't at least casually follow the domestic league. Here's how the MLS playoffs work: 5 teams from each each conference qualify for the playoffs. The 4th seed hosts the 5th seed in a one game play-off with the winner advancing to face the #1 seed. After that, the conference semi-finals and conference finals feature a home and home where the team with the better aggregate score advances. FC Dallas finished this year with 54 points, and narrowly missed out on getting the third seed. Instead, Oscar Pareja's men get to host the Vancouver Whitecaps for the right to play the Seattle Sounders. It's a great achievement, considering most pundits predicted a finish close to the bottom of the conference. FC Dallas appears in the playoffs for the first time in three years and will seek to win their first playoff game since the 2010 Western Conference Finals.

The Matchup

This is a game that could get out of hand really quick. Tensions and emotions will be through the roof, and if history is any predictor, there may be some bad blood. The last meeting between the teams saw Vancouver's assistant coaches get in a shoving match with Oscar Pareja, resulting in fines for both parties. Later in that game, Vancouver goalie David Ousted got in Blaz Perez's face. Ousted stated earlier this week "I think this game will be a brawl". Past matchups between these two clubs have always been a little more physical and chippy, so expect something similar here. Head to head this season, the teams went 1-1-1, with FC Dallas getting the tie in Vancouver. Vancouver has a relatively poor record away from home, winning just three games, but recording nine ties. If the Whitecaps can take this game to extra time, the pressure will be on Dallas. On the flip side, FC Dallas has one of the best home records in the league, going 12-1-4 at Toyota Stadium this year. However, Vancouver hasn't allowed a goal in 4 matches, including a 2-0 defeat of FC Dallas earlier this month. The Whitecaps have the fourth lowest goals allowed in the entire MLS. FC Dallas finished tied for fourth in terms of goals scored. The teams clearly have a contrast in playing styles, which means the first goal in this game is monumental. If Vancouver scores first, FC Dallas are in big trouble because of the Whitecaps' excellent defense. They'll likely "park the bus", an extremely defensive strategy where a team puts 10 or 11 men behind the ball at all times. If Dallas scores the first goal, Vancouver will be forced to open up, meaning FC Dallas' high powered offense will get chances on the counter attack. The Whitecaps have never won at Toyota Stadium.

Vancouver Whitecaps' goalkeeper David Ousted, right, shouts at FC Dallas' Blas Perez after the two nearly collided during the first half of an MLS game in Vancouver on Oct. 4.

Prediction

Expect a closely contested game with plenty of physicality. I would not be surprised if someone sees a red card in this game. FC Dallas is a relatively young team and young teams generally feed on emotion. I think the combination of the first playoff appearance in three years, and the fact the game is in Dallas should be enough for the Hoops to grind out a win. Blas Perez scores and Tesho Akindele adds a second off the bench late in the second half.