FRISCO, Texas - The Texas Derby is BACK! FC Dallas hosts main rivals Houston Dynamo FC in the first Texas Derby of the season this Saturday, April 23 at 2PM at Toyota Stadium. The match is part of a doubleheader with North Texas SC (FCD's MLS NEXT Pro affiliate) kicking off against Dynamo 2 at Toyota Stadium directly following the FC Dallas game.
Here's everything you need to know before Saturday's doubleheader.
How to Watch
TV (Spanish): Saturday's game will be broadcast in Spanish on TUDN and Univision beginning at 2PM CT.
Stream (English): The match will also be streamed in English on MLS's Twitter account.
LISTEN
English: If you can't watch the match, you can listen to all the action on FCDallas.com/Radio hosted by Sam Hale with Owen Newkirk and Steve Davis on the call. The pregame show starts at 1:30PM.
Spanish: Carlos Alvarado and Rafa Calderon will call the game in Spanish on 1270AM, starting at 2PM CT.
Match Overview
HEAD-TO-HEAD
- FCD record: 3-1-3 (12 points - 4th in West)
- HOU record: 3-1-3 (12 points - 5th in West)
- FCD vs. HOU all-time: 13-13-16 (66 goals scored, 60 goals conceded)
- FCD vs. HOU all-time home: 9-3-8 (35 goals scored, 23 goal conceded)
STORY LINES
The Stakes
It's almost Derby Day in Dallas. FC Dallas and the Houston Dynamo meet for the first of two Texas Derbies this season with some high stakes on the line. The annual winner of the Texas Derby series earns the right to keep El Capitán, a 19th century replica cannon, at their home stadium for the next year. Last season, Dallas lost possession of El Capitán for the first time since 2018 after falling 3-2 in the final Derby of 2021 following draws in the first two editions. The all-time Texas Derby series is also perfectly balanced at 13 wins apiece and 16 ties AND Dallas and Houston have the exact same record to start 2022: 3-1-3. Saturday's winner will have a big advantage in the race for El Capitán and will pull ahead in the all-time series as well as the 2022 regular season.
- Nico Estevéz: "“A derby is always a good chance to bring the fans that emotional side. For us, it doesn’t matter where we are in the table. It’s a derby and we take that as a special game and we’ll try to bring our supporters the win.”
Thee-Game Week
Saturday's game will be FCD and Houston's third game in seven days with both teams playing midweek matches in the U.S. Open Cup. Dallas returned home from its scoreless draw against New York Red Bulls last Saturday and earned a 2-1 win over USL Championship side FC Tulsa Tuesday night. Head coach Nico Estévez was able to rotate his squad for the Open Cup victory, with three players making their FCD debuts: Lucas Bartlett, Beni Redzic and Joshué Quiñónez. With several typical starters taking the night off, Dallas' squad should be fresh and ready to go for Saturday's derby.
- Nico Estevéz: "“It’s good that everyone has played so far for the team, they got minutes and had an amazing effort the other night (against FC Tulsa), we’ve seen how difficult these Open Cup games are and how many MLS teams have been eliminated. I think it’s good to keep using the whole roster and putting them in a good position to succeed.”
Defense First
FC Dallas holds the best defensive record in the Western Conference with just four goals conceded in seven games this season. The center back pairing of Matt Hedges and José Martínez have started every game together and look to be building an imperious partnership. Goalkeeper Maarten Paes and left back Marco Farfan have also been constants to begin the year. The only question remains at right back where Ema Twumasi and Nanu have split playing time. But that position could be a three-way battle now with newcomer Quiñónez making his Dallas debut as a substitute for Twumasi in Tuesday's Open Cup win. It'll be interesting to see which option Estévez prefers for the all-important derby this Saturday.
Breakfast Courtesy of Chick-fil-A
All guests attending Saturday's match will receive a free breakfast entrée courtesy of Chick-fil-A. If you have not downloaded the Chick-fil-A app, please do so to receive your complimentary item. Once you open the app, you will receive instructions how to redeem and enjoy your free breakfast entrée.
You’re also invited you to enjoy the following:
Super Fan Day – Heroes versus Villains
In honor of Super Fan Day, you will see your favorite superheroes roaming the concourse. Feel free to take a photo with your favorite superhero. Be sure to share that photo on social to enter our #FCDSweepstakes…details below.
Light the Shield
You will notice a new addition to the Toyota Stadium stage on the north side of the pitch: a brand-new FC Dallas shield. Prior to each match, FC Dallas will have a special guest light the shield to help kick off the match.
Spiderman Bounce House
Everyone is invited to jump through our Spiderman bounce house located on the north concourse.
Augmented Reality
You might notice new artwork at the northeast corner of Toyota Stadium. This is our new Augmented Reality Mural which is an explosive augmented reality experience filled with electricity and power - just like our players. Paul Arriola, Jesús Ferreira and Paxton Pomykal come to life off the wall and onto your phone to create a video that you can experience and share on social media.
Music Before the Match
Enjoy the FC Dallas drumline who will be setting the pregame stage throughout the Toyota Stadium parking lots, tailgates and concourses.
Fan Gram Sweepstakes
Throughout the 2022 season, you have a chance to win exclusive team swag signed by your favorite player as part of our ongoing Fan Gram Sweepstakes.
Here’s how to enter:
- Post a shot of yourself at the FC Dallas match on social media (Twitter, Instagram or Facebook)
- Tag @FCDallas
- Use the hashtag #FCDSweepstakes
- That’s it! You’re entered. Winners will be randomly selected after each match.
There are several Instagrammable spots at Toyota Stadium:
- At Sweet Tooth Motel’s immersive art pop-up on the north concourse
- In front of the Augmented Reality Mural in the northeast corner of the stadium
- With your favorite Superhero
- In front of the Lamar Hunt statue on the north concourse
- From your seats!
Learn more at FCDallas.com/Fan-Gram-Sweepstakes.
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