5 Important Games for FC Dallas in 2020

The MLS released the full schedule last week and I already have my calendar synced up and ready to go for 2020.

This week I want to go through the schedule and talk about a few home games so you, dear reader, can purchase those tickets before they sell out. As a bonus tip, I’m going to take a look at a couple of away games in case you want to road trip with the boys in 2020.

Here’s the list.

February 29, vs. Philadelphia Union

This type of home opener only comes around every four years. FC Dallas will open up the 2020 schedule on Leap Day and that should be special fun. FC Dallas have won the past 10 season openers. This year’s matchup should be a good one. Last year Philly finished in third place in the Eastern Conference with 55 points. Philadelphia could be good again but the team hasn’t made any significant offseason moves. And the Union will have to play without winger Fabrice “Fafa” Picault, who now wears the red, white and blue of FC Dallas. Picault should have a little extra motivation playing his old squad. #SlowFeetDontEat.

April 4 vs. LAFC

One of the things that always fills seats at Toyota Stadium is a Superstar performance. Just ask Jimmy Buffett. LAFC’s superstar is Carlos Vela. Vela is last season’s Golden Boot winner and he is explosive. In Frisco last year, Vela scored one of his 34 goals on a penalty kick in the 80th minute, as the teams played to a 1-1 draw. Always exciting to watch our defense go to work on an offensive powerhouse like LAFC.

May 16 vs. Houston Dynamo

This will be the first leg of the Texas Derby, with state bragging rights on the line and, of course, the life-size trophy is known as El Capitan. Currently, the prized cannon resides in Frisco. Last year, the Dynamo fans left upset when they were shown the exit a little early after the smack talking in the stands got out of hand. Needless to say, the Derby gets a little chippy on the field and, apparently, in the seats.

July 4 vs. San Jose Quakes

Honestly, it doesn’t matter who they play on July 4th, this game is imperative for hardcore and casual fans alike. The front office puts on a spectacular fireworks show, which I’m pretty sure is attended by all of Collin County, Denton County, half of Dallas County and for some reason the residents of Muleshoe, Texas – at least it seems that way. That reminds me, be prepared for a little bit of traffic congestion on the way home. Prepare to come early and stay late, but do come. San Jose is a Western Conference foe that seems to have FC Dallas figured out somehow.

Last year, we played two draws against the Quakes. San Jose added Argentinian Cristian Espinoza to the squad this season. The good news is FC Dallas likes to win on July 4th, with a record of 7-0-1 over the last eight seasons, including shutting down Wayne Rooney and DC United, 2-0.

September 20 vs. Seattle

This will be the first time FC Dallas fans will get to see the reigning MLS Cup champions in Frisco. If the good lord’s willing and the creek don’t rise, we could see these two squads competing for a top spot in the West with a lot riding on this game. It’s nine months away, but don’t let this opportunity slip away. Plus it’s fun to watch FC Dallas try to tame Peruvian Raul Ruidiaz and the uber-talented US Men’s National Team player Jordan Morris, who last year scored the winning playoff goal to send the good guys home. It will definitely be revenge time in Frisco.

Bonus: Here’s Two Fun FC Dallas Road Excursions

There are a lot of great cities to visit during the MLS season, especially amongst Western Conference teams. I love Los Angeles, Seattle, and Portland. They all have great fan bases and are worthy adversaries to FC Dallas. But, this year, I would like to suggest a few new cities and faces.

May 9 at Nashville SC

I have three words: Music City USA. This will be FC Dallas’ first trip to Nashville SC during its inaugural season. Nashville added some help for this season, including former FC Dallas players Dominique Badji and Dax McCarty, who played in Frisco from 2006-2010 and last year in Chicago. Even if you’ve been to the Bachelorette Party Capital of the World before, it might be a good time to go again.

If you do make it out, make sure to check out:

The Grand Ole Opry and the Ryman Auditorium.
If you have time may tour the Parthenon, a full-size replica of the one in Greece.
Bonus Tip: Just don’t eat the barbecue, unless you’re brown-bagging some from Texas.

June 13 at Inter Miami CF

Another first for FC Dallas, as the team travels to Florida to square off with Inter Miami CF. It will be hot and sticky in June in South Florida, but oh what a great time. FC Dallas fans may recognize a familiar face on the pitch in Miami since former homegrown Victor Ulloa will wear the “teal and pink?” (I’m not sure what their colors are but, I assume, they will probably be similar to Miami Vice colors).

And there’s a real chance that you might see Miami owner, David Beckham, or more importantly, his wife and former Spice Girl, Victoria Beckham — I’ll tell you what I want … What I really, really want. While in Miami, make sure to check out the historic Coleman Theater or perhaps the Route 66 Vintage Iron Motorcycle Museum. Oops. I’m sorry, I think I got my information mixed up. Turns out those tourist attractions are actually in Miami, Oklahoma. That’s a completely different road trip.

If you’re in Miami, FLORIDA, make sure to:

Visit South Beach
Maybe try to spot a celebrity’s house as you take a boat cruise along Biscayne Bay
Eat a Cubano sandwich at Los Dos Amigos. Nope, I apologize that is also in Miami, Oklahoma.