FC Dallas are in the hunt for an unexpected finish atop the Western Conference as the 2026 MLS regular season approaches its conclusion, and Petar Musa is a key reason why the legacy side continues to defy the odds.
After finishing 7th (2023), 11th (2024), and 7th again (2025), Dallas are now within just a single point of conference leaders Vancouver (in action against Colorado), with Musa bagging a brace in a late second-half flurry to help seal all three points in a 3-0 home win against Bruce Arena's San Jose.
Arguably the best center-forward in MLS, the 28-year-old Croatian international continues his late surge in the Golden Boot race, with the former NK Zagreb academy graduate gunning for Lionel Messi's spot atop the goal charts.
Now on 22 goals across the 2026 season, just three behind Messi and ahead of Philadelphia's Milan Iloiski (19), Musa has also pulled level with MLS royalty after tonight's performance.
Tying league icon and Salvadorian legend Raúl Díaz Arce (1996-98), Musa has now bagged the joint-third most goals by a player in his first three seasons across MLS history.
Fresh off a 2026 World Cup with Croatia that saw Musa also find the back of the net against European powerhouse England, the big striker has hit the form of his life at just the right time under Dallas boss Eric Quill.