FRISCO, Texas - Dozens of FC Dallas fans are braving freezing temperatures and rain forecasts to celebrate the 2022 Home Opener with their traditional 24-hour tailgate outside Toyota Stadium.
A festive collection of fans, friends, loud music, BBQ and booze powers the tailgate which started Friday afternoon and will run until FC Dallas kicks off the new season at 4:30PM today. Handwarmers are also on the menu to combat the temperature hovering in the 30s for much of the duration.
"I can't remember any time the weather was worse," said Moez Janmohammad, who's made the 24-year hour tailgate a part of his fan tradition for the last six seasons. "There was one where it was raining, but it wasn't like freezing. So, but I think the cold is definitely worse than the rain.
"But we've just had a blast. It's just all about hanging out. A lot of the people live out of town and we don't get to see very often but for 24-hour tailgate they'll make the trip down."
Among the out-of-towners is the Jones family, who traveled from Tyler, Texas and slept in their car parked next to the tailgate.
"We've come to a couple of short tailgates but this is our first time to get to make the 24-hour one," said Joshua Jones, accompanied by his sons Ethan and Jonathan. "It was cold but fun. You only get tough by doing tough stuff. It's not too bad if you keep your hands and feet warm, you're good to go."
The Jones family was also able to meet FC Dallas President and owner Dan Hunt who joined in on the tailgate late Friday night.
"Talking to Dan was fun. It's like once in a lifetime opportunity, you know?" said Ethan Jones, who plays for the FC Dallas youth affiliate team in Tyler. "Like, I'm probably never gonna see him again unless I make the team. So, I told him I'm going to put a hole in his pocket like (Jesús) Ferreira did." (Ferreira signed a new Designated Player contract earlier this year).
Hunt wasn't the only FC Dallas representative as veteran goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer and Dallas captain Matt Hedges dropped by earlier in the evening.
"Matt Hedges or Dan Hunt usually stops by with pizzas for us, too. They brought us BBQ and Rosa's Cafe this time. It was a lot of fun. Jimmy stopped by for like 10 minutes and gave us a pair of gloves to give away later today. So, it's awesome."
