FRISCO, Texas - The MLS schedule release is always an exciting time. It's a chance to see when your team is playing your rivals, your friend's favorite team, or your favorite MLS player's team. This year is no different, and it might even have an added level of excitement for FCD fans since 32 of the club's 34 games are against fellow Western Conference competitors. That means more Texas derbies, more postseason rematches and a continual sense of playoff implication throughout the schedule.
While all games have their own story lines and importance, here are five must-watch matchups for FC Dallas in the coming months.
Note: This list is ranked sequentially in order of which matchup comes first in the schedule, not the overall importance of the game.
1. Houston Dynamo - May 8, 2:30PM at Toyota Stadium
Although there are three Texas Derbies this season, this is the first edition of 2021 and the only one at Toyota Stadium. The gravity of the Texas Derby speaks for itself. It's against your biggest rival, carries in-state bragging rights, and of course the battle to house El Capitán at your home stadium for the next 12 months. Last season, FCD and Houston squared off four times with Dallas winning both games at Toyota Stadium, drawing once and losing once down south – meaning FCD kept possession of El Capitán for the third consecutive year. This May's matchup with Houston will set the tone for the next two derbies making it one of the most important games for FCD this year.
2. Portland Timbers – July 17, 9:30PM at Providence Park
Facing the Portland Timbers at Providence Park is historically a difficult task for FC Dallas and MLS as a whole. However, Dallas defied the odds last year and defeated the higher-seeded Timbers in the postseason with a dramatic comeback penalty win to move on to the Western Conference semis. That breathless match makes FCD's first return to Providence Park this July all the more meaningful. Plus, depending on COVID restrictions in Oregon come July, Dallas could be facing a Portland team with the full might of the Timbers Army behind them. Considering that prospect and the added implications of last season's playoff upset, FCD's return to Providence Park is one you don't want to miss.
3. Seattle Sounders – Aug. 4, 9PM at Lumen Field
FC Dallas' trip to Seattle in August has similar postseason rematch undertones as the Portland one, but unfortunately for different reasons. Lumen Field (formerly CenturyLink Field) is the venue that has seen Dallas' previous two seasons come to an end. In Luchi's first season in charge back in 2019, Dallas fell to the Sounders 4-3 in Extra Time of the first round of the playoffs despite FCD coming back from a 2-0 deficit. Then, in 2020, Dallas' run to the conference semis was ended by an unlikely Shane O'Neill header four minutes after the break. When Luchi and co. return to Lumen Field this August, there will likely be a sense of revenge in the back of their minds.
4. Austin FC – Aug. 7, 7:30PM at Toyota Stadium
The new season brings a new in-state rival for FC Dallas in the form of Austin FC, the league's 27th team. Austin has entered the league with plenty of fanfare due to its high-profile South American player signings, new stadium, and of course, the club's Minister of Culture Matthew McConaughey. Austin's inaugural trip to Toyota Stadium in early August will be the first time the clubs face off in MLS play meaning it's a match you'll definitely want to make time for.
5. Los Angeles FC – Oct. 20, 7PM at Toyota Stadium
Although LAFC had a down year by its own standards in 2020 (finishing in 7th in the West on 32 points), the club has been earmarked by analysts to return to the red-hot form that saw it coast to the Supporters' Shield two seasons ago. And, with the likes of Carlos Vela, Diego Rossi, Latif Blessing, etc., returning fit and healthy for 2021, it's not an unfair prediction. So, when Bob Bradley leads LAFC to Toyota Stadium for the first time in over two years this October, it promises to be an exciting affair. The game will also come just three weeks before the all-important MLS Decision Day, meaning there will be more than a tinge of playoff implication on the line as well.
