FRISCO, Texas - It's Major League Soccer's annual schedule release day. It's a day to look toward the future and scope out which games you can't miss on Apple TV, which you want to see in person, and which away games might be worth a road trip.
As usual, the 2024 season includes 34 regular season games. That's a lot to go through but don't worry, I'm here to help. Let's go through FCD's most exciting matchups for next year.
San Jose Earthquakes at home | February 24
For me, FC Dallas' home opener is always one of the most exciting games of the year. It marks the start of a new season, full of hope and promise that this year is our year. This time around, it will be the San Jose Earthquakes traveling to Toyota Stadium to start the season. And you know what that means, FCD's former head coach Luchi Gonzalez will be there. Gonzalez is entering his second season at the helm of the 'Quakes after leading them to a 9th-place finish in 2023. The clubs played to a pair of 1-1 draws in '23 so FCD will be looking to do one better and earn all three points against their former boss on opening day.
Houston Dynamo FC at home | April 27
The Texas Derby was always going to be on this list. For the sake of not having to drive three hours down I-45, I'm going with FCD's home game against rivals Houston Dynamo instead of the away leg. Dallas has won (or tied) the Texas Derby and therefore kept El Capitán in five of the last six years. It's a dominant recent record but it won't be easy to maintain it. Houston had a transformative 2023 season under coach Greg Olsen by reaching the Western Conference Final and winning the U.S. Open Cup. If they keep that trajectory, Houston will be among Dallas' toughest opponents next season. You don't want to miss this one.
LA Galaxy away/Los Angeles FC away | May 29 and June 1
If you're going to travel to watch FCD on the road, you may as well do it when you can catch two games. The club travels to Los Angeles at the beginning of the summer to face the LA Galaxy on Wednesday, May 29 before challenging this year's MLS Cup runner's up on Saturday, June 1. Plus, you get to enjoy LA for a few nights in between games. It's very rare to play two games in the same city over a four-day span in MLS, so you may as well take advantage and book a trip now. I hear California is nice that time of year, too.
Austin FC at home | July 17
We've already talked about the must-see Texas Derby against Houston, so it would be good to include the other Texas rivalry match against Austin FC. Some call it the "I-35 Derby", others the "Beef and Broccoli Bowl", either way, this is a game you'll want to attend. Austin wasn't able to follow up its stellar second season as the club missed the playoffs in 2023 but keep in mind ATX technically won Copa Tejas, the three-way competition between FCD, Houston and Austin. Copa Tejas is a little convoluted now that the clubs don't play each other exactly twice a year anymore (FCD and Austin face each other three times while FCD and Houston only play twice) but it's still a fun side plot.
Sporting Kansas City at home | October 19
Decision Day, the final day of the regular season where every team plays, is always a fun one. There's almost always something on the line. Whether it's a playoff berth, playoff seeding or first-round bye considerations, it just means a little bit more than any ol' regular match day. Unlike 2023, FC Dallas will be playing at home on the final day with Sporting Kansas City coming to town. Something to keep in mind, the last time SKC and Dallas faced off on Decision Day, FCD romped to a 6-0 win to clinch a spot in the postseason back in 2019 (see below).
