Vancouver Whitecaps missed out on the top seed in the Western Conference, as they suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to FC Dallas on Decision Day.

Vancouver was hoping for a stress-free Decision Day, as after Thomas Müller’s heroics in Orlando, the Whitecaps came into this game knowing that if they avoided defeat (or Portland took at least a point off San Diego), they would end the regular season at the top of the Western Conference. Meanwhile, Dallas needed the exact opposite set of results to secure a place in the first round of the playoffs, meaning they came to BC Place desperate to take care of business and secure their place in the postseason.

Vancouver did not start well, as Mathias Laborda got caught out by a long ball over the top for FC Dallas forward Sam Sarver. The Uruguayan ended up missing the ball and tripping the young striker up after he appeared to have broken free on goal, and although the Vancouver defender initially only received a yellow card, after VAR review it was upgraded to red for denial of a goalscoring opportunity.

The misery was compounded minutes later. Following a succession of corners and reflex saves...