Three months ago, the MLS Cup Playoffs looked like a mirage for FC Dallas. The club was floundering in the standings, going from a top six team in the Western Conference at the beginning of May, all the way down to as low as 13th place by the middle of July.
The turnaround in the last two months, where FC Dallas has gone unbeaten in their last eight games has helped push them to the brink of clinching a playoff spot.
FC Dallas can secure its spot in the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs with a win this weekend against the Galaxy, but for manager Eric Quill, he wants to keep his team focused on keeping the same mentality that has helped keep them unbeaten in their last eight games.
“It is a tough question to answer before we’re truly in,” explained Quill. “I'm the kind of guy that doesn't count my chickens before they hatch. I think we're playing really well and we know what we want. We have to keep grinding, stay humble, and be aggressive again this weekend."
Quill and his staff have instructed the players to treat these last eight games as 'finals' in order to help prepare for a potential playoff run. Current starting goalkeeper Michael Collodi echos his coaching staff's comments about staying focused on the task at hand.
"Obviously it is the biggest game of the year and we've been saying that about every game leading up to it," said Collodi. "We're focusing on one game at a time. Once you get into the playoffs we have to try to win the Cup. That is something we want to do."
FC Dallas got one step closer last weekend with a 2-1 win in the club's home finale over the LA Galaxy, the same team they'll see on Saturday in Southern California. The game was originally scheduled for earlier this summer, but was pushed into October due to the Galaxy's run in the 2025 Leagues Cup.
"Playing a team in back-to-back is not easy. We'll make our adjustments and go for it," stated Quill.
FC Dallas is 2-2-1 in their last five trips to Dignity Health Sports Park. A win on Saturday would also be the 10th regular season win in all-time meetings against the Galaxy in California.
In this crowded Dallas sports market, FC Dallas gets little love — that’s where Big D Soccer comes in. Paid subscribers not only fuel local soccer coverage, they also unlock deeper analysis and features you won’t see anywhere else. If you believe Dallas soccer matters, join in and support it.
Discussing Pomykal's Return
Last weekend saw the return of Homegrown midfielder Paxton Pomykal to the field, following a nearly four-month layoff due to a knee bruise. Quill is hoping that the late minutes earned against LA in Frisco can be extended this weekend against the Galaxy.
"It is great to see him back," said Quill. "We're looking to build his match fitness. You can expect based on the last performance that we want to keep integrating him.
Pomykal is expected to be on the travel roster again for the second time in two weeks (he was part of the group that traveled to Portland two weeks ago but did not appear on the bench). He hopes that his leadership on and off the field can be an asset as the team looks to get back into the playoffs.
"To be able to come back in a critical moment like this and be a leader in the locker room, come in late in games and help out, I'm really happy to be able to contribute," said Pomykal. "It's been a while since I could say that."
