Eric Quill has urged FC Dallas to keep pushing the teams above them in the table as they look to boost their playoff hopes against the Colorado Rapids in MLS on Saturday.

Dallas are 11th in the Western Conference on 34 points, one behind ninth-placed San Jose Earthquakes, though they have a game in hand on Bruce Arena's side.

They are on a five-game unbeaten streak in MLS (W2 D3), registering a big 2-0 win over Austin FC on home soil last time out, and Quill is hoping that victory will act as a confidence boost.

"I think winning breeds confidence, and I think the way we went about our business [against Austin] is what I take the most gratification in," said Quill.

"The biggest piece is mentality. We know our backs are up against the wall, and Colorado is going to be the same monster.

"They're in the playoff picture right now. They're a couple of spots above us, and we're chasing.

"And when you're chasing, you have to knock people off. It is one that we have to go after this weekend."

Colorado, meanwhile, are eighth in the West on 39 points, though they are still looking over their shoulders as their playoff spot is not yet confirmed.

After back-to-back losses, the Rapids beat the Houston Dynamo 2-1 last weekend, and head coach Chris Armas is expecting a tight battle at Toyota Stadium.

"It's one game at a time. We're coming off a really good win, but Dallas are coming off a really good win," Armas said.

"It's going to be a really tough game. I've seen them play lately, they're combative, they're tough, they're making things happen. I already know we'll have our hands full.

"This is what it's all about; these are all playoff games for us. We're not looking to just scrape in and stumble into the playoffs; we want to make some noise in the playoffs."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

FC Dallas – Petar Musa

Musa has led Dallas' line this season, scoring 15 goals in MLS, more than any other player.

His goal after 89 seconds against Austin last time out was Dallas' fastest goal of the league season, and it marked the third time he had opened the scoring for them.

Colorado Rapids – Calvin Harris

Harris did not get on the scoresheet in the win over the Dynamo last weekend, but he certainly made his mark on the contest.

He finished the game with the highest expected goals (0.5 xG) and won possession three times in the final third (a game-high). He also attempted the most duels (12), completing six of those.

MATCH PREDICTION: FC DALLAS WIN

The clubs played out a 3-3 draw in their last MLS meeting, a March match at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, with Musa on the scoresheet for Dallas.

Colorado have got the better of Dallas of late, unbeaten in the last six MLS matches between them, while the Toros are looking for their first league win over the Rapids since April 2022.

During that period, Colorado have outscored Dallas by 12 goals to eight, but Saturday's hosts are expected to get the better of Chris Armas' side with their home advantage.

Dallas have lost eight of their 15 home league games this season (W4 D3), but Colorado have not had much luck on the road, losing eight such matches (W3 D4).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

FC Dallas – 47.8%

Draw – 26.1%

Colorado Rapids – 26.2%