Urhoghide and Dallas determined to finish second in Western Conference

Osaze Urhoghide insists FC Dallas are determined to finish their regular season on a high and secure second place in the Western Conference on Decision Day. 

Dallas will welcome the Colorado Rapids to Toyota Stadium this weekend, with Matt Wells' side still yet to secure their spot in the playoffs.

But for Dallas, they have other ambitions. The Vancouver Whitecaps are guaranteed to finish top of the division, but second place remains up for grabs. 

The San Jose Earthquakes could snatch second on the final day with a win against Minnesota United, but even a point for Dallas would be enough to stay in that position. 

Dallas' penultimate regular-season outing saw them settle for a disappointing 1-1 draw with Sporting Kansas City, and Urhoghide wants his team to respond against Colorado. 

"We're going to do whatever it takes to win in our next match against the Colorado Rapids," Urhoghide said after Dallas' draw with Sporting KC.

"We're disappointed that we couldn't finish at the top of the Western Conference this season, but we're determined to finish second. We'll do whatever it takes."

But even after drawing with the bottom side in the West, Dallas boss Eric Quill believes there are plenty of positives to take heading into the final day of the regular season. 

"I thought we were together, our tactics were right, and we had tightened our structure," Quill said. "We even got a great goal in the first half.

"It started from Jonathan [Sirois], went to DJ [Daniel Job] and ended with Ran [Binyamin] keeping his composure to set up Herman [Johansson] for a great goal."

Colorado, meanwhile, failed to cement their spot in the playoffs after slipping to a 4-2 defeat against the Chicago Fire, with the Rapids now looking nervously over their shoulders. 

Morgan Whittaker had given Colorado the lead, only for goals either side of half-time from Jonathan Bamba to put Gregg Berhalter's side ahead in the 56th minute. 

Colorado hit back through Paxten Aaronson, but Chicago hit back with late strikes from substitutes Robert Lewandowski and Puso Dithejane to seal the win.

Rapids boss Matt Wells conceded Chicago simply had more players to rely on compared to Colorado, who are missing several players at a crucial point in the campaign. 

"Well, the first thing is that we need players back," Wells conceded. "We need all hands at the pump. We've worked for a long time to put ourselves in this position. 

"We need everyone available going into the weekend, both in the starting line-up but also to give us options off the bench. 

"Against Chicago, they were able to bring on [Robert] Lewandowski. That's our competition. We could face them in the playoffs. Who knows?

"Hopefully, we get some guys back, but we need top preparation to get the best plan possible and go to Dallas, see every player play with personality and intensity and let's see what we can do." 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Dallas – Petar Musa

Musa has scored 22 goals this season for Dallas, his most successful scoring season, and the third straight year he has set a new career mark after netting 16 goals in 2023 and 18 in 2024.

Lionel Messi looks set to scoop the Golden Boot this season with the Inter Miami captain four goals ahead of Musa, but anything is possible on Decision Day.

Colorado Rapids – Paxten Aaronson

Aaronson scored his eighth goal of the season for Colorado last week, taking his total goal involvements in 2026 to 18, the most for the club this season.

MATCH PREDICTION: DALLAS WIN

Dallas have won their last two matches against Colorado after winning only one of the previous 10 meetings (D3 L6). There has not been a scoreless draw between the two teams since 2021.

The Toros had a 97th-minute penalty saved and were made to settle for a draw with Sporting KC but have already clinched home advantage for a three-game series coming into Decision Day.

Colorado, meanwhile, missed a chance to clinch a place in the playoffs last week, falling to a 4-2 loss to Chicago after opening the scoring. It was the ninth time this season the Rapids failed to record a victory after taking the lead, tied for third most in MLS.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Dallas – 55.2%

Draw – 23.1%

Colorado Rapids – 21.7%