> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.bigdsoccer.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Playoff Watch: What FC Dallas needs from other teams this weekend
- URL: https://www.bigdsoccer.com/playoff-watch-what-fc-dallas-matchday-35/
- Published: 2025-09-17T21:44:29.000Z
- Updated: 2025-09-17T21:44:28.000Z
- Description: FC Dallas is getting closer to a playoff spot, but they still need some help.
- Author: Drew Epperley
- Tags: 2025 Season, Major League Soccer

The new MLS week is already here with some games in the midweek before another busy weekend. FC Dallas will be at home this week against Colorado, in another true six-pointer. 

We’re still rocking the same set of clubs in our weekly playoff watch. But I have a feeling things will finally shift after this weekend is over, mostly on the bottom end of things. 

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/9b/a4/9ba413bd-9ade-4977-b9cf-1a1e2ef6de5c/content/images/2025/09/image-12.png)

💡

We won’t go into detail about every club here, but this is the group of teams that FC Dallas will need to keep an eye on for the next two months. So, let’s examine each club’s schedule to determine what we need from each game this weekend.

---

## Portland Timbers - 42 points (6th Place)

**Schedule (Matches remaining: 5):** 9/20 at Houston, 9/24 at Vancouver, 9/27 vs. Dallas, 10/4 at Seattle, 10/18 vs. San Diego

**Last week’s result**: 2-1 win vs New York

**Notes**: The Timbers moved back into 6th place last weekend with a win at home over New York. That schedule is still a tad tricky for them with a game in Houston coming up (a place they've struggled at historically), followed by a double-game week with Vancouver and FCD. No real layups here. 

**What FCD needs this weekend**: We'd prefer the Dynamo to lose again. 

## Austin FC - 41 points (7th Place)

**Schedule (Matches remaining: 5):** 9/21 vs. Seattle, 9/27 @ RSL, 10/4 vs. St. Louis, 10/12 vs. LAFC, 10/18 @ San Jose

**Last week’s result**: 2-0 loss at Dallas

**Notes**: After a couple of solid wins in a row, FC Dallas brought Austin back down to Earth last weekend. They get Seattle at home this weekend, who are coming off a Tuesday night loss in Miami. I think Nico Estevez's club still has the ability to get into the playoffs, but my gut tells me they'll potentially slip back into a Wild Card spot before long if they play like they did in Dallas. 

**What FCD needs this weekend**: Pick up another L, please. 

## Colorado Rapids - 39 points (8th Place)

**Schedule (Matches remaining: 4):** 9/20 at Dallas, 9/27 vs. Minnesota, 10/4 at RSL, 10/18 vs. LAFC

**Last week’s result**: 2-1 win vs Houston

**Notes**: I've said for the last couple of weeks that I thought the Rapids were cooked and then they go out and get a stoppage-time own goal from the Dynamo to pick up three points. I mean, come on. What a gift. Their schedule is still pretty tricky from here on out, so draws don't really help move the needle away from the Wild Card spot.

**What FCD needs this weekend**: A loss, by FCD. Thank you.

Support local soccer coverage 

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.

[Unlock Full Coverage ](#/portal/signup) 

## San Jose Earthquakes - 35 points (9th Place)

**Schedule (Matches remaining: 4):** 9/20 vs. St. Louis, 9/27 at San Diego, 10/5 at Vancouver, 10/18 vs. Austin

**Last week’s result**: 4-2 loss vs LAFC

**Notes**: San Jose is reeling right now after another loss at home. With four games to go, they cannot afford to slip up any more. Coming up this weekend at home is St. Louis, the only team on their remaining schedule that isn't in the playoff race. 

**What FCD needs this weekend**: Ideally, another loss would be great. 

## Real Salt Lake - 34 points (10th Place)

**Schedule (Matches remaining: 6):** 9/17 vs. LAFC, 9/21 at LAFC, 9/27 vs. Austin, 10/4 vs. Colorado, 10/11 at Seattle, 10/18 at St. Louis

**Last week’s result**: 2-1 win vs SKC

**Notes**: The games in hand are starting to come in handy for RSL here after they picked up a much-needed win over SKC last weekend. The back-to-back games with LAFC this week are going to be the decider for me. Picking up two wins could easily give them the foot forward in the playoff race. 

**What FCD needs this weekend**: FCD needs back-to-back losses here. 

## FC Dallas - 34 points (11th Place)

**Schedule (Matches remaining: 5):** 9/20 vs. Colorado, 9/27 at Portland, 10/4 vs. Galaxy, 10/11 at LA Galaxy, 10/18 at Vancouver

**Last week’s result**: 2-0 win vs Austin

**Notes**: The game is trending in the right direction for FC Dallas. With Colorado coming into town this weekend, it is a true six-pointer for Eric Quill's club. They have to get another win here to inch themselves closer to that playoff line. 

**What FCD needs this weekend**: Win, baby, win.

## Houston Dynamo FC - 32 points (10th Place)

**Schedule (Matches remaining: 4):** 9/20 vs. Portland, 9/27 at Nashville, 10/4 vs. San Diego, 10/18 at Kansas City

**Last week’s result**: 2-1 loss vs Colorado

**Notes**: The Dynamo are hanging on by a thread right now in the playoff race. Their next three games are truly make or break. Thankfully for them, Portland comes to town this weekend and the Timbers have been pretty bad historically in the state of Texas. That could be a lifeline the Dynamo need desperately in this race. But, after last week's disappointing result in Colorado, I think they're nearly done.

**What FCD needs this weekend**: Another loss would be fantastic.

Support Big D soccer without a subscription 

This story is available for free to everyone, no subscription required. If you’d like to support us but don’t want to commit to a full subscription, you can leave us a tip of any amount (this helps keep our coffee/beer mugs full).

[Show Your Support ](#/portal/support) 

## Sporting Kansas City - 27 points (13th Place)

**Schedule (Matches remaining: 4):** 9/20 vs Vancouver, 9/27 at LA Galaxy, 10/4 at Minnesota, 10/18 vs Houston

**Last week’s result**: 2-1 loss vs RSL

**Notes**: Again, SKC isn't technically 'out' yet (neither are St. Louis or the LA Galaxy below them), but with four games left, they're [weirdly closer to the Wooden Spoon](https://kcsoccerjournal.com/09/16/2025/sporting-kc-are-getting-too-close-to-the-worst-record-in-mls/?ref=bigdsoccer.com) now than a playoff spot. I have to think Vancouver will be the game that knocks SKC off this list for next week.

**What FCD needs this weekend**: Just lose and be done with it already.