MLS: Breaking down the Western Conference Playoffs
By Matt Coles
[7] FC Dallas
The last team to qualify for the playoffs from the Western Conference were FC Dallas, who needed a victory on Decision Day to assure themselves of a postseason berth.
The Texan side started the season well, with five victories from their first nine fixtures, losing only twice. However, they then only won three more times over the course of the next three months, including losing the first Texan Derby to Houston.
FC Dallas showed their scoring prowess in August, with two five-goal performances coming against Minnesota United and the Houston Dynamo, the second Texan Derby of the campaign. They finished the term with a 6-0 demolition of Sporting KC, as they booked their place in the playoffs for the fifth time in the last six seasons.
Their reward for qualification is a trip to CenturyLink Field to take on the Seattle Sounders, who finished the regular season in second in the Western Conference. FCD have a good record over the Sounders in 2019, with a win and a draw against the Rave Green in the regular season, but the playoffs are a different beast.
Can the Texan side grab the victory on the road to move through to the Conference semifinals? If so, can they go all the way on to a first MLS Cup title?
First Round Fixture – Saturday 19th, 15:30 ET:
[2] Seattle Sounders v [7] FC Dallas
Next. USMNT Vs Canada: 3 things we learned. dark
Who goes through to the Conference semifinals? Who goes on to take the Western Conference title? Time will only tell, but LAFC are the clear favourites!