“Anything can happen” in the MLS Cup Playoffs

If the last two MLS Cup Playoffs have taught us anything, it is that we should expect the unexpected.

Last year, Atlanta United upset Lionel Messi and Inter Miami in a Best-of-Three series. The New York Red Bulls went on a surprising run as a 7th seed, all the way to a MLS Cup. And in 2023, 8th seed Sporting Kansas City upset their new rivals St. Louis CITY SC in two games.

FC Dallas is hoping to make similar noise this year as the 7th seed in the Western Conference when they take on the Vancouver Whitecaps, a team that has been arguably one of the best in North America this year. Jesper Sørensen's team reached the finals of the Concacaf Champions Cup earlier this year and also recently won their fourth straight Canadian Cup.

Earlier today, Big D Soccer talked with MLS Season Pass analyst Ross Smith, who will be calling Sunday's Game One between the Caps and FC Dallas, to get his take on the series.

BDS: This is kind of an interesting situation for both sides, coming off their Decision Day match with one another. It was mostly a 10v11 game. How do you see this opening game in the Best-of-Three series going? Do you put any weight into what happened last week or is this a reset for both squads?

Smith: I put weight in it in terms of the commitment and level of intensity, the desperation from FC Dallas wanting to get to this stage, going up against a top team. The belief that FC Dallas players have shown, and Eric Quill as well, they're riding such a high wave of momentum.

And look, I think when they look at this result, they're not going to see that Vancouver were down to 10 men. They’re going to see that they went to BC Place, they got the result when they desperately needed it, and they got into the playoffs.

That just adds to the momentum that this team has been on for the last two or three months.

For Vancouver, it is kind of a wait and see over the next day or so how players are doing on the training ground. Like Brian White, Tristan Blackmon is a big one, especially with Mathias Laborda unavailable. They've been depleted at center back.

BDS: Both teams won their road games against each other this season. Vancouver won theirs way back in March, Dallas won last week. Both sides were drastically different in that March meeting than they are now. Is there any stock in those previous meetings against each other for this series?

Smith: Vancouver‘s team had Pedro Vite and didn’t have Muller. Dallas had Lucho Acosta, they don’t have him any more. And it is quite surprising to say that is actually a plus. You know, minus Acosta is actually a plus for Dallas. They're more of a team rather than, you know, Acosta and whatever headaches he was giving. So it is a lot different.

BDS: FC Dallas will be getting Petar Musa, Logan Farrington, and Ramiro back from suspension for this one. How do you see their involvement in Game One? They managed to get enough in their attack last weekend without Musa and Farrington.

Smith: Yeah, credit to Anderson Julio. You need a guy like that who is going to be a constant worry for center backs. I thought he did a great job. And Sam Sarver, what about his as well? I know from what I hear Quill is high on him. He's a rhythm guy.

But with it being such a big game, Musa and Farrington offer is a different kind of handful. Julio and Sarver, you always have to worry about the space in behind and they're always buzzing around like Sarver was doing in the first 20 minutes of that one. Musa and Farrington combine so well. There is a relationship that keeps growing and physically, they have a nose for goal. I mean, they tick so many boxes.

So for a depleted Vancouver back line, that has been hit with so many injuries this year, that is a big problem area for Vancouver.

BDS: As far as the possession game goes, last weekend it was 70-30 in favor of a ten-man Vancouver. How does Dallas handle this when it will likely be 11v11 for a full 90 again?

Smith: It is really interesting, because I think what they were able to do, even though Muller moved up into the number nine position, he is still always coming back to the ball. Dallas didn't have to deal with a striker and a player in behind. If Brian White comes back there is one more big name to deal with.

But the way they handled it (last week) with Urhoghide, he goes after and hunts the ball. That was a big part in the game against Vancouver.

BDS: As far as x-factors, who is a player from both teams that isn't a DP or TAM guy, that you feel is flying under the radar going into this series that will be a difference maker?

Smith: I like (Chris) Cappis. I like that signing a lot for you guys. I like the size of him and his left foot. He does a lot through that center of the park, which is so precious in the system that you play as well with those two, sometimes three guys in the middle. We'll have to wait and see what Quill does with the third midfielder there if Patrickson (Delgado) isn't available.

For Vancouver, it is Sebastian Berhalter. He's probably been the surprise player of the season in MLS. He's got one of the best deliveries in MLS. He can hit from distance. He's can spray any ball on the park. He's been sensational.

BDS: With the Best-of-Three series having a potential penalty kick element to them, how do you see the goalkeepers handling that in this series? I think we're a tad behind the curve here with only one shootout this season in an Open Cup loss, but Michael Collodi appears to be the starter over Maarten Paes right now...could that even things?

Smith: I know Yohei Takaoka has had a great season. There's still something about me that if it got to penalties, he doesn't breathe a whole lot of confidence into me. I don't have the numbers in front of me, but I've seen quite a lot of them. I think he's the type of keeper, what he offers when the balls at his feet, I think he's one of the best in the league. And he commands his box well. He's a sweeper-keeper.

But when it comes to extension and picking things out, I would favor Collodi. From what I've seen of Collodi, he can pick out a strike. That's not to say Takaoka is poor, I just think with Collodi and how he's playing right now. The fact that he's got the shirt and wants to keep the shirt.

BDS: Last thing to discuss here, predictions. What do you have for this series?

Smith: I think if Vancouver is at full strength. If Brian White is back, if Tristan Blackmon comes back in, they're be very difficult. But I do see this going to three games. I see Vancouver taking care of business at home in Game One, Dallas doing the same in Game Two. I just see this one going to three games. And a big part of that is the spirit right now in FC Dallas. They're almost playing with house money right now and the momentum is going their way.

As we've seen anything can happen. I mean towards Vancouver, but you never know.