I truly do not understand the logic behind the scheduling of the MLS first round fixtures. The games stagger over a six-day span between last Friday through this Wednesday. Three of them will be contested on Sunday, including our first two fixtures in the Western Conference playoffs. I would very much enjoy hearing from someone at the MLS department responsible for this debacle.
Outside of the funky scheduling, there’s a disturbing sensation of déjà vu surrounding tomorrow’s West games. Both of them happen to be the exact same ones that were contested on Decision Day last Saturday.
Vancouver Whitecaps (2) vs. FC Dallas (7)
Sunday, October 26th 7:30pm ET
BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
Streaming (free) on AppleTV+
Priority #1 for Vancouver is keeping all eleven players on the pitch for the full ninety minutes. An early red card last Saturday, and two goal concessions in the first half, put the Whitecaps behind the eight ball. As a result of their 2 – 1 loss, they lost the top seed to San Diego and earned themselves at least two more games against FC Dallas.
There are two pieces of good news for Vancouver. First, that loss was an anomaly in an otherwise strong end to the season that saw them go eleven straight undefeated. Second, FC Dallas is eminently beatable. Despite playing down a player, Vancouver effectively dominated FC Dallas in the second half on Decision Day. Look at the momentum map below and judge for yourself.
The arrival of Thomas Müller in August has immediately paid dividends; he has 8g/4a in nine games. Leading scorer Brian White (16g) has been battling injury, but expect to see him at some point in this playoff run; maybe even in the waning moments of this match.
If you’ve noticed no mention of FC Dallas, that’s because they don’t really have a chance in this match. Yes, they had a okay end to the season, taking 27 points out of a possible 54, but didn’t earn this playoff spot until last week. Vancouver is pissed, and Dallas is gonna pay the price.
Prediction: Vancouver to win in two. Handily.
San Diego FC (1) vs. Portland Timbers (8)
Sunday, October 26th 9:30pm ET
Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, CA
Streaming (free) on AppleTV+
Since June 1, Portland have won exactly four league games out of eighteen played, earning 18 of a possible 54 points. This is the worst second half track record of any playoff team, East or West. You could argue that without Felipe Mora the Timbers wouldn’t even have made it this far. He was a one-man wrecking crew during the wild card match against Real Salt Lake.
One week ago, San Diego buried two in the initial five minutes of the second half to deflate the Timbers. They don’t appear to be missing Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, who isn’t rostered due to rumored discipline issues. The key player in this match-up, as it has been all season, is Anders Dreyer. The Danish attacker is on a career season, recording 19 goals and 17 assists. His maturity and consistency are so important to SDFC, and show no sign of going MIA.
Expect to see more high scores and stingy defense from San Diego in this one. They don’t play like an expansion team, and I do not expect them to bow out from the post season this early.
Prediction: San Diego will advance in two.
