FRISCO — FC Dallas saw its postseason run come to an end in Game 2 of the playoff series against the Vancouver Whitecaps, closing the book on a spirited comeback that fell just short of a deeper run.
Saturday’s defeat in a penalty shootout at Toyota Stadium doesn’t diminish the remarkable journey FCD carved out during the 2025 MLS season.
The heartbreaking loss unfolded after a fiercely contested battle, one in which FC Dallas had seized the lead and looked poised to prevail.
FCD broke the deadlock in the 25th minute thanks to a moment of brilliance from Brazilian midfielder Ramiro, who delivered a beautiful through ball from deep in his own half. Petar Mussa latched onto the pass, surged into the penalty area, and coolly slotted the ball past goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka with a precise right-footed finish.
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Musa led FC Dallas in scoring during the regular season with 18 goals, and his 31-goal tally over two years sets a franchise record for the most goals scored in that timeframe by any player.
Just four minutes after Musa scored, Bernard Kamungo appeared to double the lead for FCD, but his effort was ruled out by referee Tori Penso due to an offside infraction.
In the second half, Vancouver applied heavy pressure against FC Dallas, who seemed to have held firm, until the visitors found the equalizer in the 90+3 minute.
Following a corner kick, a chaotic sequence of rebounds unfolded in the box, and Ralph Priso managed to slot the ball into the net, sealing the draw and sending the match to a penalty shootout.
Vancouver had two more clear chances to win the game in regulation but failed to convert.
In the penalty shootout, FC Dallas faltered with two missed attempts by Patrickson Delgado and Nolan Norris, ultimately sealing their exit from the playoffs.
Saturday’s defeat brought a dramatic close to FC Dallas’s improbable comeback journey, a resilient run that had carried them all the way to the postseason.
Back in July, the outlook was bleak. With a 5-10-6 record and only 21 points, Dallas sat well outside the playoff picture in the Western Conference and seemed destined to miss the postseason for a second straight year.
Then came the turnaround.
The team rallied with six wins, four draws, and just two losses down the stretch, securing the seventh seed and a spot in the playoffs with grit and determination.
“This is one of the most fulfilling seasons I’ve ever been a part of,” said club president Dan Hunt. “Nobody quit, and that’s exactly what you want in this organization.”
Hunt credited the collective effort behind the resurgence.
“No one gave up, not the players, the coaches, the technical staff, the front office, or our fans. That unity speaks volumes. It wasn’t perfect, because that’s life, but the comeback we made is a foundational building block for this club moving forward.”
Midfielder Ramiro offered insight into Vancouver’s success in the series.
“They’ve got quality players and a relentless mindset,” he said. “They fight for every ball and never stop believing.”
Hunt also praised first-year head coach Eric Quill for his leadership during the team’s late-season surge.
“Eric is one of the most competitive people I’ve ever met, that’s a big reason we brought him in,” Hunt said. “I truly believe he’s one of the few coaches who could’ve steered this team in the right direction.”
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