The MLS drama is heating up as the end of the regular season fast approaches. With three games remaining, FC Dallas are just one point back of the Western Conference leaders Vancouver Whitecaps. Columbus Crew are also one point back of their goal… the last playoff spot in the East. Both teams come into this midweek clash in good form and with a lot on the line.
Match Details
What: MLS Regular Season
Where: Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas
When: Wednesday October 28, 8:30 PM ET / 5:30 PM PT
Watch: Apple TV
Dallas Set Sights On The One Seed
Back on August 22, FC Dallas suffered their worst result of the season. They traveled north of the border and were sent home with a 5-0 loss to Vancouver Whitecaps. That was the kind of game that could have easily sent Dallas into a spiral and even ended their hopes at winning anything this season. Instead, it had the opposite effect. Since that defeat, Dallas have only lost one of their ten games and are within reach of Vancouver for the one seed in the West.
Dallas have found their success in close games, an encouraging sign for what’s to come in the playoffs. Of their 31 MLS matches so far this season, all but five of them have been decided by one goal or fewer. That includes all of the games in the aforementioned ten game hot streak outside of the most recent one, a 3-0 win over San Jose over the weekend. This experience in relatively even matches bodes well for Dallas this Wednesday. Columbus Crew have 15 league losses this season and 12 of them were by one goal. Conversely, eight of the Crew’s 11 wins were by more than one goal. That means they lose the majority of close games they play, a good sign for Dallas.
A huge part of the success at FC Dallas this season has been star striker Petar Musa. Since joining from Benfica in 2024, Musa has become one of the best goalscorers in the league. He seems to get better each year, going from 17 goals in 2024 to 19 to now 23 this year. Now firmly in his prime at 28 years old, Musa’s individual performances are finally translating to his team. Dallas finished 11th in his first season and seventh last year. They now sit second in the West. He is second in the Golden Boot race, only behind Lionel Messi. Everything Musa has done for Dallas culminated over the summer when he scored for his country Croatia in the World Cup at the home of the Dallas Cowboys. FC Dallas live and die by his goals, so he’ll need to score if they want to beat Columbus.
Crew Looking For Silver Lining After Losing Cup Final
It hasn’t been an easy year for Columbus Crew. They got off to a disastrous start to 2026 in the first half of the season, ultimately leading to the sacking of manager Henrik Rydström, who was hired last winter. It looked to be a throwaway year for one of the most historic clubs in MLS besides their run to the U.S. Open Cup final. Last Wednesday, they fell to St. Louis City in that final on penalties. However, not all hope is lost. Columbus has quietly been in excellent form in MLS and are now knocking on the door of a playoff spot.
The Crew hit a low point shortly after the season resumed. They had just lost seven of their last games in all competitions and had an Open Cup semifinal against a red-hot Orlando City on the horizon. In that game, something changed. That 2-1 win over Antoine Griezmann and company turned their form on its head. Since then, Columbus has won five of their last six MLS matches. The only loss was to that same Orlando team. They’ve beaten established playoff sides such as Inter Miami and Charlotte FC as well as winning the Hell is Real derby in Cincinnati. Dallas will prove to be a tough test for the Crew, but a win could very well move them into the final playoff spot.
At the center of Columbus’ turnaround is summer signing Brais Méndez. The longtime LaLiga midfielder joined the Crew to help replace Diego Rossi, who left for Liga MX giants Monterrey. Méndez was part of the Real Sociedad team that won the Copa del Rey last year and his experience at the top level has provided a huge boost to his new club. The Spaniard has scored eight goals and assisted a further five in all competitions. While Columbus may not have a clear cut goalscorer like Dallas do, Méndez has elevated the game of everyone around him and the Crew’s scoring by committee has led to a playoff push.
Match Prediction
Knowing FC Dallas, this will be another close and entertaining game. Columbus responded well to the Open Cup heartbreak with a 4-2 win over Toronto, but Dallas are a much tougher test. Musa will find the back of the net once again as the hosts edge out yet another one goal win.
Prediction: FC Dallas 3-2 Columbus Crew
Braden Hines is a writer and data analyst with a passion for U.S. Soccer. Runs American Ultras Talk on YouTube and X. Works for Carolina Ascent FC and Syracuse Men’s Soccer.
