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We all hate that cliche "must-win" term. However, the phrase was certainly applicable in FC Dallas's scenario. They needed to maximize home points if they wanted any shot at sneaking in to the playoffs. Sadly, the same issues that have been bugging this team reared their ugly head and caused a disappointed home crowd to chant "Fire Schellas" after the final whistle. The Crew executed a perfect game plan and (with the help of some clinical finishing) were able to get up on FCD early and never look back. FC Dallas has slim odds of making the playoffs. With the way this team has been playing, I would put them at 1% (and that is quite generous if you ask me). So, the question you have been waiting for: How far did the Hoops fall in this week's recap?
Rank: 16 (last week 16)
Comment: The pieces are there, right? Mauro Díaz, Fabián Castillo, Blas Pérez, Jackson ... these are all good, talented players who should be difference-makers. But they're less than the sum of their parts.
Rank: 15 (last week 12)
Comment: FCD just couldn't cope with the Crew's transition game in a 4-2 hammering at home. The loss looks to have ended Dallas' playoff hopes, and to think, this was a team that started 7-1-3. FCD has gone 3-9-7 since.
Rank: 16 (last week 15)
Comment: RIP, FC Dallas 2013. Mathematically, FCD is still alive, but Sunday's 4-2 loss at home to Columbus was not the performance of a team primed to claw its way to a playoff place. The club's win over Vancouver on Sept. 7 figured to be a turning point, but since then Schellas Hyndman's side has lost three straight games to fall five points behind fifth place with four games to play.
Rank: 16 (last week 14)
Comment: FC Dallas bid a fond farewell to their playoff hopes on Sunday night by losing at home to Columbus. Just a few months ago, the Hoops were sitting pretty on top of the Western Conference standings, and now they will have four matches left to wonder what happened to their dream start.
Rank: 17 (last week 16)
Comment: You can't fall two goals behind in a home game you have to win, but FCD did just that in losing, 4-2, to Columbus. Some slick attacking yielded goals by Blas Perez and Mauro Diaz, but they were the only bright spots of a third straight defeat.