FC Dallas was moments away from extending the Best-of-Three series back to Vancouver before a Ralph Priso goal pushed the game to penalty kicks, where the Whitecaps would ultimately win 4-2.
The loss on penalties sees the Vancouver Whitecaps win the series 2-0 and end FC Dallas' 2025 season.
After a wild opening 20 minutes of the match, Dallas settled into the game and Petar Musa scored his first playoff goal in the 25th minute on a counter attack. Ramiro picked off a turnover in the Dallas defensive end and played a long ball to Musa. The Croatian took the ball from just beyond midfield and dribbled his way into the penalty area before firing it past Yohei Takaoka.
Two minutes later Dallas nearly doubled its lead on another counter attack. This time it was Bernard Kamungo who got a long ball from Kaick. Kamungo took a couple dribbles before hitting a shot past Takaoka. Unfortunately for Dallas, Kamungo was a few feet offside on the play.
The Whitecaps pressed for an equalizer in the opening stages of the second half and their best chance came in the 65th minute. Emmanuel Sabbi played a pass into the penalty area for Edier Ocampo. He left the ball off for Sabbi who's attempt on goal was kicked away by Nolan Norris at the near post.
The visitors found the answer in the third minute of stoppage time on a corner kick goal that was tapped in by Priso. Thomas Muller curled a ball into the penalty area. Dallas defenders failed to clear it out and Priso was there tap it in.
In the penalty shootout, Muller stepped up first gave the Caps the early advantage by beating Michael Collodi to the left. Musa tied it up by tucking it in under Takaoka. Sebastian Berhalter then got the Caps back on top. Patrickson Delgado then missed by hitting the crossbar. Kenji Cabrera extended the lead for the Caps by beating Collodi. Shaq Moore got one back for Dallas to make it 3-2. Belai Halbouni extended the lead again for Vancouver. Nolan Norris skied his penalty kick to end the game.
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Instant Reaction: There is no getting around it, that was a gut punch. Giving up a late goal felt inevitable given how much pressure the Whitecaps were putting Dallas under in the second half. It seemed like the chances they were getting in the game weren't the best, but the Caps made the most of the one that mattered.
The penalty kicks are such a crap shoot, too. While you could wonder if Maarten Paes would have saved a couple of those attempts, but I do give Michael Collodi a lot of credit for his effort in this one.
Random Stat of the night: FC Dallas have scored in all but one of their last 22 home MLS Cup play-off games with the lone shut-out in that time coming to the New York Red Bulls in 2011.
About the Subs: After halftime, Eric Quill went to his bench to bring on Sebastian Lletget for Chris Cappis. We learned that Cappis left the game with a knock to his upper leg. Quill didn't go back to his bench until the 81st minute, when he brought Anderson Julio on for Logan Farrington. Following the Vancouver equalizer, Pedrinho and Patrickson Delgado came on for Kaick and Bernard Kamungo.
Man of the Match: Musa had the goal and then one of the penalty goals as well.
Where does this fit into the season: Boy, there is a lot to be said about this match in the coming days. FC Dallas was moments from extending the season by another week, but it wasn't meant to be on the night.
What’s next for FC Dallas: The offseason is here, folks.
