FRISCO - After defeating the LA Galaxy 3-2 on Saturday, FC Dallas (4-1-4, 16 points) has the fewest losses in the MLS. They are also the only team in the MLS to have allowed single-digit goals this season, leading the league in goals against with just nine.
FC Dallas hosts Vancouver Whitecaps FC (4-5-2, 14 points) on Saturday. Vancouver has struggled of late, gaining only four points in the team’s last six games. They have a mid-week game versus San Jose on Wednesday before they travel to Dallas.
Here's where both teams landed in the latest in the MLS power rankings.
ESPN
1. Atlanta United (no change)
2. New York Red Bulls (no change)
3. Sporting Kansas City (no change)
4. New York City FC (no change)
5. Columbus Crew SC (+3)
9. FC Dallas (+3) - Two weeks and four points from matches against the Los Angeles sides means FC Dallas now has an unbeaten run. Mauro Diaz proved his worth with a pair of assists on his return from a short injury layoff.
13. Vancouver Whitecaps (-2) - Brek Shea's shocking miss didn't keep the Whitecaps from getting something out of Friday's match with Houston, but it did prove the difference between a win and a draw. The Caps didn't control a game at home and ultimately paid for it.
MLS
1. Atlanta United (no change)
2. New York Red Bulls (no change)
3. Sporting Kansas City (no change)
4. LAFC (no change)
5. New York City FC (no change)
6. FC Dallas (+2) - The Galaxy made it interesting, but FC Dallas showed their team chemistry was worlds ahead in a 10-man win. Mauro Diaz garnered the headlines, as he should, but Maxi Urruti did his thing yet again, and the opposing defense could not stop it, even if they've clearly seen plenty of tape on where he likes to shoot.
13. Vancouver Whitecaps (+1) - The surprise attacking performance from Week 11 came courtesy of Kendall Waston, who set up a goal on a set play with an endline cross, then scored the last-second equalizer to ensure a result for the Whitecaps. With performances like that, Vancouver will miss him while he's at the World Cup.
1. Atlanta United (no change)
2. LAFC (no change)
3. Sporting Kansas City (+1)
4. Orlando City (-1)
5. New York Red Bulls (no change)
8. FC Dallas (no change) - It’s a cliché to say the real Mauro Diaz finally showed up, but there were glimpses of the magic as FCD prevailed. He assisted on all three goals -- one by Max Urruti, two by Roland Lamah -- in his first start after four games on the bench. Speaking of starts, Kellyn Acosta got his first of 2018.
12. Vancouver Whitecaps (+2) - The imposing head of Kendall Waston (assist, goal) wiped out a pair of one-goal deficits. Brek Shea scuffed a sitter.