FRISCO, Texas - Christmas came 10 days early for MLS fans as the 2022 season schedule was announced today. As usual, every team will play 34 games over the regular season which begins in late February and concluding on Decision Day, Sunday, Oct. 9. FC Dallas will play eight games against Eastern Conference opponents (up from two in 2021) including its home opener against Toronto FC on Saturday, Feb. 26 at 4:30PM at Toyota Stadium. All tickets can be purchased at FCDallasTickets.com.
Anyway, let's go through some of crucial matchups from the upcoming season that you don't want to miss.
1. FC Dallas vs. Houston Dynamo FC | April 23 at Toyota Stadium
It's the Texas Derby, plain and simple. Unlike last season, there will only be two editions of the Texas Derby and this April matchup is the only one held at Toyota Stadium. Dallas will also be looking for revenge as it lost the 2021 series and therefore the spoils: El Capitán, a Civil War era cannon, for the first time since 2017. The heated rivalry and chance to reclaim El Capitán makes this a true must-watch game. BUY TICKETS
2. Austin FC vs. FC Dallas | June 25 at Q2 Stadium
Another day, another Texas rivalry. FC Dallas gained a new in-state opponent in 2021 as Austin FC became MLS's 27th club. Dallas got the better of Austin in the first season of the new rivalry, earning three wins out of three. But the second season is usually kinder to expansion sides and Dallas' lone trip to Q2 Stadium in 2022 promises to be a marquee matchup. First, FCD's only other foray to the venue saw the teams play to a barnstorming 5-3 result that included braces for both Ricardo Pepi and Jesús Ferreira. And secondly, although it may be hard for this FC Dallas fan/writer to admit, the newly constructed Q2 Stadium really is a great place to watch a match. Plus it's an easy 3-hour drive down I-35 (if there is such a thing).
3. FC Dallas vs. Inter Miami CF | July 4 at Toyota Stadium
The Fourth of July game at Toyota Stadium is always one to highlight. The raucous in-game atmosphere is great and there's also the massive postgame fireworks show to look forward to. Plus, this year's opponent Inter Miami and its star-studded squad only adds to the occasion. Dallas and Miami have only faced off once so far, a 2-1 win for FCD in 2020 that included a late Ryan Hollingshead game-winner. What's better than Fourth of July fireworks and a match? Pun intended, unfortunately. BUY TICKETS
4. FC Dallas vs. New York City FC | July 13 at Toyota Stadium
FC Dallas will welcome the reigning MLS Cup champs to Toyota Stadium for a midweek matchup in July. NYC recently won its first crown in a dramatic penalty shootout with the Portland Timbers and their talented squad promises to challenge again in 2022. New York was one of two Eastern Conference teams that Dallas faced this past season when they played to a wild 3-3 draw. BUY TICKETS
5. FC Dallas vs. Sporting Kansas City | October 9 at Toyota Stadium
Decision Day. The final day of the regular season where playoff hopes can be dashed or realized. It's always an exciting day and FCD will be facing an old conference rival in Sporting KC. Dallas and Kansas City have some bad blood from recent seasons, not least from FCD's 6-0 demolition of Peter Vermes' side on Decision Day 2019. BUY TICKETS
