The 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs kicked off on October 26, with Vancouver Whitecaps FC, the Western Conference’s No. 2 seed after an impressive 18-7-9 regular season and 63 points, hosting FC Dallas at BC Place for Game 1 of their Best-of-3 Round One series. You need to know the Canadian Premier League and Major League Soccer Clubs for the Vancouver vs Dallas prediction, team news, lineups, and more.
The ‘Caps enter on a high, unbeaten in their last seven (five wins, two draws) and riding a franchise-record 10-match home unbeaten streak, but face a quick turnaround after a 2-1 Decision Day loss to Dallas last weekend that dashed their Supporters’ Shield hopes.
Key returns include captain Ryan Gauld, fully fit after a seven-month knee absence, though defensive woes persist with Sam Adekugbe (Achilles) and Tristan Blackmon (knee) sidelined long-term.
Dallas, the scrappy No. 7 seed clinching via that Vancouver upset (44 points from 11-12-11), boasts near-full health with Petar Musa and Logan Farrington back from knocks, but midfielder Paxton Pomykal remains doubtful with a bruised knee.
Sebastian Berhalter’s midfield mastery will test the visitors’ resolve in this high-stakes rematch—expect playoff tension as the ‘Caps chase a deep run and Dallas defy odds once more.
Vancouver vs Dallas 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs – Date, Time, Predictions, and More
Round One’s curtain-raiser contrasts Vancouver’s attacking verve (league-high 58 goals scored) against Dallas’ road resilience (5-1-4 away in playoffs push). The series opener blasts off on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at 4:30 PM PDT (7:30 PM ET) at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, Canada. USA, Canada, and Australian supporters, it’s evening prime time—ideal for igniting playoff passion.
Predictions favor a Vancouver 2-1 victory, leveraging the ‘Caps’ home fortress (12-2-3, 2.1 goals per game) and Dallas’ recent fatigue. This Vancouver Whitecaps vs FC Dallas preview breaks down tactics, streams, and stats for your MLS playoffs immersion.
Team News and Analysis
Vancouver’s dream season—topping the West by eight points—hinges on Gauld’s return, fueling an attack that netted 58 goals, but injuries expose backline depth with Mathias Laborda suspended and Blackmon/Adekugbe out until November.
Positively, Brian White (12 goals) and Levonte Johnson (10 assists) form a lethal edge, while Sebastian Berhalter (POTY) and Ralph Priso anchor midfield. Vanni Sartini may tweak to a 4-2-3-1 for width, emphasizing set-pieces (25% goals) against Dallas’ vulnerabilities.
Dallas’ Wild Card run—highlighted by their big win over Vancouver—hides some inconsistency (winless in the four games prior), but Peter Luccin’s squad is traveling in better shape: Petar Musa (15 goals) and Logan Farrington are back, with only Paxton Pomykal (knee, doubtful) and long-term absentee Osaze Urhoghide (hip) missing.
Sebastien Ibeagha’s solid defense (clean sheets in 40% of his starts) and Jesus Ferreira’s playmaking (8 goals, 7 assists) fuel counterattacks, though the offense’s 1.3 goals per game falls short of Vancouver’s firepower.
Analysis: The ‘Caps’ 57% possession and press (17 turnovers forced per game) should dominate, exploiting Dallas’ transitions, but the visitors’ set-piece threat (Ibeagha’s headers) and recent H2H bite add upset flavor. A cagey start yields to Vancouver’s subs in a playoff classic.
Vancouver vs Dallas Head-to-Head Record
Dallas holds a razor-thin all-time edge with 13 wins to Vancouver’s 12 across 34 MLS meetings, plus 9 draws. The ‘Caps have won three of the last five, but Dallas’ 2-1 stunner last week flips the script. Encounters average 2.48 goals, blending end-to-end action with tactical grinds.
All-time H2H
| Date | Competition | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 19, 2025 | MLS Regular Season | Vancouver 1-2 FC Dallas | 1-2 |
| Jul 20, 2025 | MLS Regular Season | FC Dallas 0-1 Vancouver | 0-1 |
| Mar 23, 2025 | MLS Regular Season | Vancouver 2-2 FC Dallas | 2-2 |
| Oct 7, 2024 | MLS Regular Season | FC Dallas 1-0 Vancouver | 1-0 |
| Jun 29, 2024 | MLS Regular Season | Vancouver 3-2 FC Dallas | 3-2 |
BC Place has been kinder to Vancouver (7-4-5 vs. Dallas), fueling home hopes in this 2025 playoff pivot.
Vancouver Whitecaps vs Dallas Predicted XI Lineups
Vancouver Whitecaps Starting Lineup (4-2-3-1):
- Takaoka; Ocampo, Halbouni, Pupe, Johnson; Berhalter, Priso; Gauld, Ngando, L. Johnson; White.
FC Dallas Starting Lineup (3-4-1-2):
- Collodi; Ibeagha, Abubakar, Farfan; Moore, Kaick, Eidursson, Kamungo; Delgado; Ferreira, Musa.
Selections per Sartini and Luccin’s updates: Vancouver unleashes Gauld centrally with White spearheading, while Dallas deploys a back three for solidity, reinstating Musa up top. Bench sparks: Sabbi (Vancouver) and Farrington (Dallas) for dynamism.
Key Players
- Vancouver Whitecaps: Ryan Gauld – The captain’s vision (12 assists post-injury) and dribbling (2.5 per game) dictate tempo; his return unlocks the ‘Caps’ fluid attack against familiar foes.
- FC Dallas: Petar Musa – The Croatian’s finishing (15 goals, 0.6 xG per game) thrives on service; fresh off recovery, his hold-up could blunt Vancouver’s press in counters.
Vancouver vs Dallas Match Prediction
Vancouver’s playoff pedigree and BC Place magic eclipse Dallas’ grit in a taut opener, with Gauld’s guile securing a series lead amid end-to-end scraps. The visitors threaten but yield to home depth.
- Predicted score: Vancouver 2-1 FC Dallas. A narrow edge sets up Game 2 intrigue.
Where to Watch Vancouver vs Dallas MLS Cup Playoffs in the USA, Canada, Australia, and Europe
Catch Vancouver Whitecaps vs FC Dallas live with these MLS playoffs streams, tailored for North American, Aussie, and Euro fans:
- USA: Exclusive on Apple TV via MLS Season Pass; also FuboTV (7-day free trial, $79.99/month). Starts 7:30 PM ET.
- Canada: Apple TV MLS Season Pass or Sportsnet (select coverage). 7:30 PM ET kickoff.
- Australia: Apple TV MLS Season Pass. Begins 10:30 AM AEDT (Monday, October 27).
- Europe: Apple TV MLS Season Pass (€14.99/month in UK/EU); Sky Sports (UK add-on, £14.99/month) for highlights. Local: beIN Sports (France/Spain), Viaplay (Nordics).