The 2025 MLS season is here and FC Dallas opens the year against rivals Houston Dynamo FC this Saturday, Feb. 22 at 7:30PM CT at Shell Energy Stadium.
Here's everything you need to know before the match.
HOW TO WATCH
The match will be streamed in both English and Spanish on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
HOW TO LISTEN
You can listen to all the action on the FC Dallas app with broadcasters Ryan Figert, Steve Davis and producer Sam Hale on location in Houston. Coverage begins at 7PM CT.
MATCH OVERVIEW
Head-to-Head Records
- FCD record: 0-0-0 (0 points)
- HOU record: 0-0-0 (0 points)
- FCD vs. HOU all-time: 15-13-20 (74 goal scored, 65 goals conceded)
- FCD vs. HOU away: 4-10-11 (34 goal scored, 40 goals conceded)
Story Lines
The Quill Era: Saturday's game in Houston marks the beginning of the Eric Quill era in Dallas. The 46-year-old Texan assumed the role of head coach last December following a successful spell leading New Mexico United in the USL Championship. Helpfully, Quill was already familiar with the FCD organization having played for the club in 2004 before leading its second team, North Texas SC, to a championship as head coach in 2019. Nearly three years after departing to gain more experience, Quill is back in Dallas and tasked with rebuilding FC Dallas in his trophy-winning image. His first test comes in the form of the Texas Derby against the Houston Dynamo, the club’s greatest rival.
Rebuilt Roster: Eric Quill is far from the only new face at FC Dallas. As part of an extensive offseason rebuild, the club said goodbye to 15 players while welcoming 17 new ones. Among the departures are Homegrown star Jesús Ferreira, captain Paul Arriola, longtime goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer (who joined Houston as a free agent), playmaker Alan Velasco and defenders Nkosi Tafari and Sam Junqua. To fill those significant voids, Dallas added key pieces in the form of 2023 MLS MVP Lucho Acosta, prolific forward Anderson Julio, U.S. international defender Shaq Moore, Brazilian veteran Ramiro, up-and-coming center back Osaze Urhoghide and North Texas SC standout Pedrinho, among others. With these additions and Quill at the helm, Dallas promises to be an energetic attacking team with hopes of reaching the postseason after missing out in 2024.
What's on the Line:
The first win of the season isn't the only thing on the line Saturday. The game also counts for TWO Texas rivalry competitions. The first is the original Texas Derby between Dallas and Houston. Every year, the clubs compete for El Capitán, an 18th-century replica cannon that symbolizes the pride of Texas. Whoever wins the regular season series between the two clubs earns the right to keep El Capitán at their stadium for the next year (Dallas has won El Capitán every year since 2022 and in six of the last seven seasons).
The other rivalry competition on the line is Copa Tejas, the fan-driven contest between the three Texas MLS teams: Dallas, Houston and Austin FC. Dallas are the current holders of Copa Tejas having earned the most points in matches against the other Texas clubs last year. Dallas, Houston and Austin all play each other twice this season and whoever earns the most points out of those matches will raise the trophy at the end of the year. Saturday’s game counts as the first leg of both Copa Tejas and the Texas Derby, putting extra meaning behind all 90 minutes.
