Playoff Watch: What FC Dallas needs from other teams this weekend

We are getting closer to the final two months of the regular season here in 2025.

FC Dallas is off this weekend (thanks to some Leagues Cup crap), but we still have a good bit of scoreboard watching to dive into here.

Portland Timbers - 38 points (6th Place)

Schedule (Matches remaining: 7): 8/30 at Minnesota, 9/13 vs. NYRB, 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: 0-0 draw at San Diego

Notes: Getting new DPs in before the summer window closed last week is one thing, but getting them to contribute right away is a totally different story. I still think their schedule is light enough to get them into the playoffs, especially now that their Decision Day opponent (San Diego) has already clinched a playoff spot. Still, they have to put in the work to get there. Something tells me they’re going to either be 6th place or 9th. I wouldn’t be surprised either way.

What FCD needs this weekend: I don’t think they’ll get three points in Minnesota, the Loons are playing well these days.

Colorado Rapids - 36 points (7th Place)

Schedule (Matches remaining: 6): 8/30 at SKC, 9/13 vs. Houston, 9/20 at Dallas, 9/27 vs. Minnesota, 10/4 at RSL, 10/18 vs. LAFC

Last week’s result: 3-0 loss at LAG

Notes: Like Portland, they put in a lot of work at the end of the summer transfer window. Out of the gate last week against LA, they looked like a team that will struggle to get into the playoffs. I still believe they have the easiest schedule of anyone in this group, even with that LAFC match at the end of the season.

What FCD needs this weekend: A draw would be fine since it won’t push them that far away from FCD.

San Jose Earthquakes - 35 points (8th Place)

Schedule (Matches remaining: 6): 8/30 at Austin, 9/13 vs. LAFC, 9/20 vs. St. Louis, 9/27 at San Diego, 10/5 at Vancouver, 10/18 vs. Austin

Last week’s result: 2-1 win at Houston

Notes: So, going into last weekend I thought the Quakes were cooked. Then they went down to Houston and picked up a big road win. This weekend’s game in Austin is going to tell us a lot about how this team is going to be from here on out.

What FCD needs this weekend: A draw is fine.

Austin FC - 35 points (9th Place)

Schedule (Matches remaining: 9): 8/30 vs. San Jose, 9/7 @ SKC, 9/13 @ Dallas, 9/21 vs. Seattle, 9/27 @ RSL, 10/4 vs. St. Louis, 10/12 vs. LAFC, 10/18 @ San Jose

Last week’s result: 3-2 loss at Montreal

Notes: So, is Austin really the team that is cooked? They stumbled hard in Canada last weekend against a Montreal side that is starting to figure some things out (including Dante Sealy finding a good spot). I still think they have a doable schedule for the rest of the way here to get into the playoffs, but last weekend was a wake up call.

What FCD needs this weekend: Like I mentioned above, a draw is fine.

Real Salt Lake - 31 points (10th Place)

Schedule (Matches remaining: 7): 9/13 vs. Kansas City, 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: 3-1 loss vs Minnesota

Notes: RSL has now lost four out of their last five. They have to take this week and figure out how to regroup for their last seven games. I think the hill they have to climb is starting to be more of a mountain.

What FCD needs this weekend: Like Dallas, they’re off this week.

FC Dallas - 30 points (11th Place)

Schedule (Matches remaining: 7): 9/6 at St. Louis, 9/13 vs. Austin, 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: 0-0 draw vs LAFC

Notes: It is a shame that the Leagues Cup shifted the LA game to October, but it is what it is.

What FCD needs this weekend: Rest up, get ready for next week in St. Louis.

Houston Dynamo FC - 29 points (12th Place)

Schedule (Matches remaining: 7): 8/30 at St. Louis, 9/6 vs. LA Galaxy, 9/13 at Colorado, 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 San Jose

Notes: They keep dropping the true ‘six-pointers’ like they did last weekend. I think if they pick up another loss this weekend, it will be an even tougher road to the playoffs for Ben Olsen’s squad. There are too many tough games left on the calendar for a team that is not in good form (zero wins in their last six matches).

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

Sporting Kansas City - 24 points (13th Place)

Schedule (Matches remaining: 7): 8/30 vs. Colorado, 9/7 vs. Austin, 9/13 at RSL, 9/20 vs Vancouver, 9/27 at LA Galaxy, 10/4 at Minnesota, 10/18 vs Houston

Last week’s result: 5-2 loss at Seattle

Notes: If they don’t get wins in their next two games, both at home, I think we’ll see them drop off this weekly post. I came very close to doing that after they got hammered last weekend in Seattle.

What FCD needs this weekend: A draw wouldn’t be the worst.

Quick Recap: That road to 40 or 41 points is going to only get tougher from here on out. Especially when the club is projected to get to 38 points according to Backheeled’s Ben Wright.

The good news for MLS executives is that the race to Decision Day is going to be tight for the final four spots in the Western Conference. The bad news for us, we’re going to have to grind out the remaining seven games to get there.