High pressure: FC Dallas needs a positive result to get north of the border. The team is coming off a heartbreaking 3-2 home loss to the Colorado Rapids (where Dallas led twice) that puts the team 7 points out of the automatic playoff spots and 3 points out of the play-in game. With seven games remaining, four of which are on the road, Dallas will need to start picking up points in unexpected places to climb over the playoff line. The first unexpected place could be away from home to the Vancouver Whitecaps, where Dallas has only won three times in 15 attempts. On the positive side, the Whitecaps have proven more dangerous on the road in 2024 (7 of their 12 wins came away) and FCD managed to pick up a point in BC Place last season. Still, they need to do better and get a win this time to boost their playoff chances.

Selected players: When the pressure is on, the most talented and influential player can make the difference. And as of last Saturday, Dallas’ three highest-paid players are finally all available. Designated Players Alan Velasco, Jesús Ferreira and Petar Musa made their first-ever appearances in FCD’s loss to Colorado, marking the first time the club has fielded three DPs since last season. All three were second-half substitutes as they recover from injuries, but there is hope that two or more will be fit enough to start in Vancouver.

Vancouver: The Whitecaps are having a strong season, sitting 5th in the Western Conference with a record of 12-8-5. They also picked up an impressive 1-0 away win over Austin FC, their fifth win in their last seven league games. However, that good form could be somewhat marred by Vancouver missing five players for Saturday’s game due to international duty: Ali Ahmed (Canada), Andrés Cubas (Paraguay), Ryan Gauld (Scotland), Fafà Picault (Haiti) and Pedro Vite (Ecuador). Dallas will also be affected by the international break, missing starting goalkeepers Maarten Paes (Indonesia), Show Cafumana (Angola), Patrickson Delgado (Ecuador) and Carl Sainté (Haiti).