FC Dallas and the Vancouver Whitecaps close out a late-season home-and-home series on Wednesday night in Frisco. Dallas sits atop the Western Conference standings with 51 points and a record of 15-10-6. Vancouver is in third place with 50 points and a 15-12-5 record. The Whitecaps joined FCD in punching their ticket to the 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs with a point in last week's 0-0 draw at BC Place.
THE FINAL PUSH
With both teams having officially clinched a playoff spot, the focus now turns to all-important seeding and the chase of the Supporters' Shield. The first focus is on a top-two finish in the Western Conference that would assure a bye past the Conference Wild Card round, and ensuring a full week to prepare for the first leg of the Conference Semifinal round. Dallas can clinch top spot in the West with two wins over their final three games, but will need some help to catch New York Red Bulls in the Supporters' Shield standings, trailing by three points. After last week's draw, Vancouver's chances at the top spot in the league have diminished, trailing NYRB by four points with just two games left, but a top-two seed in the conference is still attainable, trailing LA by one point with equal games remaining.
KEY PLAYER FOR VANCOUVER
Cristian Techera – Through two games, the rookie still holds the only goal in the season series, and he'll be the go-to guy for Vancouver with Darren Mattocks missing the second leg on international duty.
KEY MATCH-UPS
Matt Hedges vs. Octavio Rivero – Hedges was huge on the back line for Dallas last week in Vancouver, and a big reason why the Whitecaps' leading scorer was held off the sheet on his team-leading three shots.
Mauro Diaz vs. Matias Laba – The Magician was back to full-form during the first leg of the series showcasing his unique skill set. If he can continue his play in the second leg, Dallas is bound to break through sooner or later.
PROJECTED LINEUP
Goalkeeper: David Ousted; Defenders: Jordan Harvey, Tim Parker, Pah Modou Kah, Jordan Smith; Midfielders: Gershon Koffie, Matias Laba, Kekuta Manneh, Mauro Rosales, Cristian Techera; Forward: Octavio Rivero.
KEYS TO THREE POINTS
Dallas has been near-perfect at home over the last four months and they'll look to carry that play through their last two home contests, each with plenty of meaning over the final weeks. If FCD can keep the devensive effort from Wednesday's contest and continue to get their chances on goal, they should be able to even up the season series in the finale.
