Eric Quill praised FC Dallas’ “championship mentality” as they prepare to continue their fine MLS form against the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday.
Dallas are flying high in the Western Conference, having secured their playoff place already, as they sit third, just four points behind the leader Vancouver Whitecaps.
They have lost just one of their last nine league games (W5 D3) and come into this match on the back of a dramatic 2-2 draw with the Houston Dynamo, in which Dallas equalized in the 11th minute of second-half stoppage time.
It was a vital point that kept them in control of securing a top-four place, which would mean home advantage in the playoffs, and Quill was thrilled with the fight they showed.
“I’m proud of my guys for fighting back. I thought we were the brighter team and created the bigger chances,” he said after the draw with Houston.
“We kept scrapping and fighting to get the goal, even with four minutes left in stoppage time, when it could have been deflating.
“We don’t lose our fight. That’s our mentality. We have a championship mentality, and we’re going to keep fighting.”
Enjoying the work.
— X – FC Dallas (@FCDallas) October 23, 2026
San Jose, meanwhile, secured their playoff berth last time out with a 1-1 draw against MLS leaders Nashville SC.
They are now unbeaten in their last nine matches, drawing each of the last three, and they sit one place and three points below Dallas in the West.
“We’re guaranteed at least ninth place, so hopefully we can do well over the next four games and position ourselves to have a couple of games at home,” Arena said after securing their playoff spot.
“We’re tired, but we can rebound [from the draw with Nashville]and we’re ready to play Dallas.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
FC Dallas – Petar Musa
With a goal against Houston, Petar Musa became the first Dallas player to reach 20 goals in a single regular season.
Dallas is the 21st different MLS team to have a 20-goal scorer, while Musa is the 32nd player in MLS history to have at least one season with 20 or more regular-season goals.
San Jose Earthquakes – Preston Judd
With 16 goals in 2026, Preston Judd is the fourth San Jose player (Chris Wondolowski – five times, Jeremy Ebobisse, Ronald Cerritos) with at least 15 goals in a single regular season.
Only Wondolowski (27 in 2012 and 18 in 2010) and Ebobisse (17 in 2022) have had more goals in a regular season than Judd.
PLAYOFF TICKET OFFICIALLY PUNCHED BRACE. FOR. IMPACT.
— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) October 18, 2026
MATCH PREDICTION: FC DALLAS WIN
Dallas has scored multiple goals in five straight meetings with San Jose, including a 3-2 road win in May.
Dallas’ longest streak of multi-goal games in MLS play against any opponent is six straight against the Colorado Rapids (2001-03) and the New York Red Bulls (2000-2002).
San Jose do have seven road wins in the 2026 regular season, though, surpassing their six away wins from 2025 and marking their most in a season since recording nine in 2012.
Their 13 road wins over the past two seasons are one more than their 12 MLS road wins from 2020-24 combined.
Dallas have not allowed a goal in any of their last three home matches, although they have only scored two goals (W2 D1). Their longest run of home regular-season shutouts is four straight matches, done two different times in the 2011 season.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
FC Dallas – 51.4%
Draw – 24.7%
San Jose Earthquakes – 23.9%