Can Dallas get it done against Seattle?

Let's talk basics.

The playoffs begin for FC Dallas tonight.

In their favor, there are some positive things:

• The team should be healthy.

• They have had time to gameplan against a typically fierce Seattle Sounders side.

• They have some confidence after a domination of the Los Angeles Galaxy in LA.

• Overall, FC Dallas has been playing well for the past eight games or so.

Those are all elements to build upon.

But we know too that this is always a tight series between the two sides. They are not unfamiliar with each other. Seattle is a tough place to play. Seattle has a great defense. FC Dallas has a great defense. Someone is going to have to score.

Here are three scenarios:

Both teams are at their best.

The game ends in a draw, 0-0 or 1-1. They go to penalty kicks. A win for FC Dallas would be massive, but you have to favor the home side. Seattle comes away with the win, meaning the pressure shifts to Dallas’ home match in Frisco. But the result promises a tough rematch back in Seattle to decide the series.

Seattle is more than good enough at home.

The game ends in a 2-1 win for Seattle Sounders in regulation. This is not a disastrous result for FC Dallas, but it is expected. I predict a 1-0 Seattle win, but FC Dallas can suggest they battled enough to take some positives into their home match in a week’s time. Eyes shift to Frisco.

FC Dallas shock Seattle.

I hate the word shock. Dallas can beat Seattle. The two teams are not that far apart, but it would be a big win if Dallas could shift the series in their favor with a big result in the first game. It is hardly out of the realm of possibility, as Dallas has been playing well as of late. If Dallas can get the 2-1 win, the playoffs get realigned.

What do you think? What is the possible outcome?