FC Dallas returns home to take on the Vancouver Whitecaps this Saturday, March 16 at 7:30PM from Toyota Stadium.
Here's everything you need to know before the match.
HOW TO WATCH
The match will be streamed for FREE on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Legendary FCD broadcaster Mark Followill will call the game in English alongside Warren Barton while Carlos Mauricio Ramirez and Max Cordaro will provide Spanish commentary.
HOW TO LISTEN
English: You can listen to all the action on the FC Dallas app and Talk Radio 1190AM. Host Sam Hale will provide pregame and postgame coverage beginning at 7PM with broadcasters Ryan Figert and Steve Davis calling the game.
Spanish: Carlos Alvarado and Rafa Calderon will call the game in Spanish on the FC Dallas app starting at 7:30PM.
MATCH OVERVIEW
Head-to-Head Records
- FCD record: 1-2-0 (3 points, 9th in West)
- VAN record: 1-0-1 (4 points, 5th in West)
- FCD vs. VAN all-time: 11-9-8 (36 goal scored, 35 goals conceded)
- FCD vs. VAN home: 8-2-3 (22 goal scored, 15 goals conceded)
Story Lines
Growing Pains: FC Dallas returns home to Toyota Stadium seeking a win after two-straight losses: a 2-1 home defeat to Montreal CF followed by a narrow road loss to the New York Red Bulls. It's not the start to 2024 that Dallas had hoped for but it's a long season and there are some mitigating circumstances, namely injury absences and new-formation growing pains. Let's start with the injury absences. Defenders Sebastien Ibeagha, Marco Farfan, Geovane Jesus, midfielders Asier Illarramendi, Paxton Pomykal, Alan Velaco and forward Jesus Ferreira have all been unavailable for some or all of FCD's first three games. It's never easy to compete at your best when missing that much quality. But things are starting to look up on that front as Ferreira started in New York and Ibeagha is set to return this weekend. Now to the new formation. Head coach Nico Estévez shifted from his standard 4-3-3 to a more attacking 3-4-3 this season but the transition is taking some time. And that makes sense, new systems often take time to implement and we're only three games in. Plus, the 3-4-3 relies on strong wingback play and Estévez is still figuring out his best wingback pairing. The club didn't have any natural wingbacks in the squad so Estévez has been utilizing wingers Dante Sealy, Herbert Endeley, Bernard Kamungo and Paul Arriola in those spots. It's tough to master a new position/formation over night but, with FCD needing a win (for morale, more than anything), let's hope it starts coming together against Vancouver on Saturday.
Welcome Back, Fafà: Dallas welcomes the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday which means a return to Toyota Stadium for winger Fafà Picualt, who called the venue home during his one-year FCD career. Picault helped Dallas reach the conference semifinals in 2020 before joining the Houston Dynamo via trade. Since then, Picault has proved a thorn in FCD's side. The Haitian international has scored against his former club on four occasions, three times for the Dynamo and once for Nashville (where he played after Houston). Now with his fourth club in five seasons, Picault will look to repeat the trick against Dallas once again with the Whitecaps. Here's hoping he doesn't...
The Whitecaps: Vancouver has started the new season brightly, opening with a draw against Charlotte FC at home before defeating the San Jose Earthquakes on the road. The danger men for the 'Caps are undoubtedly forward Brian White and attacking midfielder Ryan Gauld. Although neither have scored yet this season, the pair combined for 26 goals and 17 assists last campaign - making them one of the most prolific attacking duos in MLS. There's also Vancouver's new addition Damir Kreilach, the Croatian veteran signed from Real Salt Lake. Kreilach scored 47 times for RSL over six seasons and brings experience plus goals and assists to Vancouver's front line. Considering he's already scored twice against Dallas in his career, FCD's backline will need to keep a close eye on Kreilach, as well as Gauld and White.
GAME DAY REFERENCES
Toyota Stadium Parking
If you're driving to Toyota Stadium, you can find parking information HERE. All parking lots open at 4:30PM, three hours prior to kickoff. Gates at Toyota Stadium open two hours before kickoff.
Theme Nights
Saturday's match includes a St. Patrick’s Day Celebration. Guests can enjoy a pregame party on the pitch on Tundra Field 2 featuring games for kids of all ages, food and beverages and a live DJ who will get the St. Patrick’s Day party started from 5-7PM before the match kicks off at 7:30PM. You can find details about all FC Dallas' 2024 Theme Nights HERE.
Bag and Purse Policy
FC Dallas has instituted a clear bag and purse policy for all ticketed events, including concerts. All details can be found HERE.
