FC Dallas’ Playoff Hopes Remain on Life Support after 3-2 Loss in Salt Lake City

Real Salt Lake’s Anderson Julio earned a hat trick to demote Dallas’ slim playoff chances.

FC Dallas flew into Salt Lake City with their playoff hopes hanging by a thread.

After a long and tough match, with both teams bringing out the intensity of a playoff push, Dallas will return home, wondering once again what might have been.

After the match, Peter Luccin, interim head coach for FCD, exuded gloom, disappointed in the overall performance and the defensive miscues that gave RSL three goals that were in his words “soft”. That’s a fair assessment, especially the third goal which came about via a counter attack that stretched out Dallas’ defenders, a common pattern this season. Simply put, at this stage in the season for a team to be struggling as they are, the playoffs may feel more of a pipe dream.

Of course, there were highlights. Jesus Ferreira got on the score sheet again with a cheeky free kick to take advantage of a tuned out Real Salt Lake defense. The ball bounced past RSL’s keeper before halftime to give his side a spark.

Alan Velasco also notched his first goal since going down with a season-ending injury last year off of a penalty kick, called after a handball was spotted by VAR. The energy Velasco brought on was noted by fans watching the match. It’s a reminder of the hype around him and the potential he still has to be a franchise piece to build around.

The margin for error ahead for Dallas is razor thin. They might need to win every match from here on out, unless they get help from other squads in the hunt dropping points. With three games remaining at home, though against tough teams, and two away matches, one against bottom dweller San Jose, 12 points should be expected by Dallas faithful.

But expectations may not meet reality.

Can fans really expect the team to lock down the three remaining home matches, including one against the excellent Los Angeles FC?

Is there enough time for the defense to figure out these miscues, or are these constant defensive mistakes a sign for a needed overhaul for the squad going into 2025?

Finally, at what point does Peter Luccin make a case for the permanent position by tweaking the lineup and playing the group of players that he thinks can best find a result? Does that include Jesus Ferreira and Alan Velasco? Does that mean benching a veteran center back?

With Gregg Berhalter in potential negotiations with Chicago Fire, one less high profile coach may be off the board for Dallas. Do they consider giving Luccin more time? Does John Gall, stepping up as Assistant Coach, get a look going forward? Or will the front office try to bring back Eric Quill? Lots of those thoughts will swirl over these final matches.

For now, the thread, if there is one, is barely visible, swaying in the breeze. Will it snap this weekend?