4 Things to Get You Excited About the FC Dallas 2020 Season Opener

It’s that time of year. YEEEEEEEEE. The first FC Dallas regular-season game is this Saturday and it could not get here fast enough.

There are so many things to be excited about this new season.

Here’s a list of 4 things to whet your appetite for the Leap Day game against the Philadelphia Union.

1) The Atmosphere

There is nothing more electric than a live professional sporting event. Imagine trying to read your favorite author using nothing but emojis. Something seems to be missing. That’s what it’s like watching a game on TV versus in real life.

All of the senses are engaged from the moment the stadium pulls into view on the drive-in. It’s like a wave of fresh energy washes over your body. The pulse of the crowd, the beat of the music, the smell of the freshly mown pitch. It’s a delight to the senses that it is difficult to replicate on even the smartest of TVs. All of that will be in play at Toyota Stadium this weekend. It’s a beautiful feeling.

2) The Food

Gone are the days of boring nachos or wrinkly hot dogs on cold, damp buns at stadiums. We live in a time where even stadium concessions stands are making food worthy of the Food Network. Okay, maybe not Food Network quality, but comfort food like mama used to make. One of the new food items the staff at Toyota Stadium will be dishing up this year is the Hot Cheetos Chili Pie topped with Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, chili, cheese, elotes, and green onions. (You had me at Flamin’ Hot Cheetos).

It would probably be a good idea to not eat anything for at least 24 hours before coming to the game to be able to gorge on this bad boy. The new chili pie will be available from the Main Street Kitchen near Section 112

Before anyone judges, just take a look:

Other new items on the list this year include:

Green Chili Chicken Mac and Cheese Bites (Burgers and Beer – Section 133)

Elote Dog: Bacon-wrapped hot dog topped with elote (Mexican street corn), hot sauce, green onions and crumbled Flamin’ Hot Cheetos (Main Street Kitchen – Section 112)

Pulled pork sliders (Bent Buckle BBQ in Section 125), BBQ smoked turkey sandwich (Burgers & More – Section 121), Meatball Sub (Calcio Cafe – Section 108), and, of course, Chick-fil-A. A fan favorite from last year will be taking on new digs as the Chick-fil-A will relocate to Section 108 this year. And, just like in the real world, the Chick-fil-A will be closed for Sunday games.

3) The Chants

Chill bumps, chicken skin, heebie-jeebies, the willies or jimjams. Whatever it’s called when the hair stands up on your arms as emotions are stirred, that’s what happens when the chants ring out in unison across the stadium.

Whether you’re a member of one of the FC Dallas supporter groups like the Dallas Beer Guardians or the El Matador Club or not, everyone is free to sing along. There’s no doubt the players can feel the energy from the songs. Let’s all make sure the players hear.

4) Something Else?

There has to be something else. Something else that’s going to happen at the stadium. What is it? Oh yeah, some fantastic soccer. FC Dallas and Philadelphia already squared off in a friendly last week in Florida, with FC Dallas winning 3-2.

Philly leads the head-to-head record over the last five matches, 3-2. But this is a new season with brand new exciting possibilities.

Before heading out to the stadium, it might be a good idea to catch up on the FC Dallas preseason so far from other Dallas Sports Nation writers. A couple of reading material suggestions are here and here.

And it all starts Saturday at 5 p.m. at Toyota Stadium. Tickets are available here