The stakes couldn't be much higher for FC Dallas(8-12-9, 33 points) tonight as the host the Vancouver Whitecaps (10-11-7, 37 points) in a Western Conference showdown at FC Dallas Stadium. On the line for FC Dallas tonight is a chance to pull within one point of Vancouver for the fifth and final playoff spot with a win, while a loss or tie will all but end their dreams of a playoff race until the end.

Lineups:

FC Dallas: Hartman - Pertuz - John - Hedges - Benitez - De Guzman - Jacobson - Jackson - Shea - Ferreira(C) - Perez

Bench: Seitz - Rodriguez - Loyd - Hernandez - Castillo - Villar - Sealy

Vancouver: Knighton - Lee - Bonjour - DeMerit - Harvey - Rochat - Koffie - Thorrington - Robson - Sanvezzo - Miller

Bench: Cannon - Mitchell - Mattocks - Richards - Teibert - Watson - Davidson

Notes

Full deck Schellas Hyndman will, for the first time this season, have all his bullets in the chamber tonight as there are no major injuries or suspensions tonight for FCD other than Ugo Ihemelu. Really looking forward to seeing what a first-choice lineup can do for FCD with major weapons to bring off the bench.

Full House A near-sellout crowd is expected tonight at FC Dallas Stadium and the weather shouldn't be much of a factor as it's a cool 75 degrees and cloudy an hour before kickoff.

Keep reading

Keys to the game

Frustrate Kenny Miller The Scottish forward seems to be in decent form right now having scored for Scotland in qualifiers last week and he is arguably the Whitecaps biggest threat. He's a shifty forward with a real bag of tricks,

Jump out early The Whitecaps lineup has some major firepower off the bench with Darren Mattocks and DAne Richards...Things will get very interesting late if this one is tied.

Referee

REFEREE: Allen Chapman. AR1 (bench): C.J. Morgante; AR2 (opposite): Matthew Kreitzer; 4th: Mark Declouet

MLS Career: 9 games; FC/gm: 20.3; Y/gm: 3.2; R: 1; pens: 1

Prediction(12-16 on the season)

FC Dallas has a full squad and seems the more motivated team coming into this game. I like them to get the win with a double from Blas.

3-1 FC Dallas