MLS Decision Day – when every club plays its last regular season match – is quite literal for FC Dallas this year.

Dallas’ final game away to the Vancouver Whitecaps this Saturday will decide the fate of their 2025 campaign. A win guarantees FCD a place in the postseason, likely a spot in the Wildcard game (8th vs. 9th place) but potentially even a berth to the First Round proper if the Portland Timbers fall to San Diego.

A draw or a loss, however, guarantees nothing. Anything less than three points means Dallas will be looking over their shoulders at the results from three other matches: Real Salt Lake vs. St. Louis, San Jose vs. Austin, and Colorado vs. LAFC.

If Dallas draws Vancouver, they’d rely on either Colorado or RSL dropping points to remain above the playoff line. If Dallas were to lose, they’d need at least two of Colorado, RSL and San Jose suffering a Decision Day defeat as well.

It’s not the position Dallas were hoping for, even considering the club was wallowing in 13th place as recently as mid-July. But an eight-game unbeaten run following...