FC Dallas welcomed back the families of the four key figures honored with murals on the southeastern walls of Toyota Stadium ahead of the club's 1-0 win over Seattle Sounders Wednesday night. Relatives of Lamar Hunt, Fernando Clavijo, Bobby Rhine and Kenny Cooper gathered to reconnect with each other and to see the murals honoring their family members.
Designed by local artist Carly Haynie, the four murals were originally unveiled on Sept. 5 when FC Dallas officially opened Toyota Stadium's new East Side.
"We wanted to feature these four people key to the organization," Haynie said. "Getting to meet the families is very special and since three of them (Hunt, Rhine and Clavijo) are no longer with us, it's very cool to remember them like this. Fernando's wife said that I captured his smile perfectly so it feels really good to know that all the hard work we put in paid off and the families appreciate it."
Lamar Hunt
Lamar Hunt, a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame and FC Dallas’ patriarch, played an instrumental role in the very formation of Major League Soccer in the mid 1990s and was its steward during the league’s turbulent early years. Hunt, who initially controlled the Kansas City and Columbus franchises, took ownership of the Dallas club in 2003 (the Dallas Burn, the precursor to FC Dallas, was originally a league-owned team). Two years later, Hunt rebranded the team as FC Dallas and opened Toyota Stadium, MLS’s third soccer-specific venue. Without Hunt’s vision and ambition, soccer in both Dallas and the United States would look very, very different.
"We know the fans will come out and take photographs here because this is the home that the Hunts built," said Kenny Cooper Sr., who played for Lamar Hunt as a goalkeeper for the Dallas Tornado in the North American Soccer League. "It's the house of soccer in Dallas and the Hunt family has been near and dear to us and I've known them for 50 years. Lamar was a mentor and a dear friend."
Fernando Clavijo
Another member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame, Fernando Clavijo served as FC Dallas’ Technical Director from 2012 to 2018 and helped build the side that reached back-to-back 60-point seasons, as well as winning the MLS Supporters’ Shield and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup double in 2016. Prior to laying the foundation for FC Dallas’ most successful era, Clavijo enjoyed a storied playing career in both indoor and outdoor soccer in the United States after emigrating from Uruguay. After gaining U.S. citizenship, Clavijo represented the USMNT 61 times, including at the 1994 FIFA World Cup on home soil. After hanging up his boots, Clavijo coached around MLS and internationally for a decade before joining the FC Dallas front office. Sadly, Clavijo stepped away from his role in 2018 amid a five-year battle with multiple myeloma. Clavijo passed away in February of 2019 but his memory and legacy will always be part of the FC Dallas family.
“It’s an emotional day but at the same time I’m very, very proud,” said Clavijo’s wife, Martha “The club consistently takes us under their wing. For an immigrant like Fernando and I, that came when we were 18 years old, you want to leave your mark. Not only on people but something that is actually tangible, so I’m just very proud of him.”
Bobby Rhine
Bobby Rhine left an indelible mark on FC Dallas. Having joined the club as the sixth overall pick in the 1999 MLS College Draft, Rhine went on to rack up 212 regular season appearances (3rd most in club history) while earning a reputation as a do-it-all player who could contribute all over the field. Rhine became a constant fan-favorite over his eight seasons and remained with the club following his retirement, first as Manager of Community Development and then as the team’s color commentator. Tragically, Rhine passed away unexpectedly in 2011 but his legacy in Dallas will never be forgotten. In addition to his mural on the southeast wall, Rhine’s memory is honored through the FC Dallas supporters’ section at Toyota Stadium, which bears his name.
“It’s amazing, when they called to tell me this is what they were doing I was totally blown away," said Bevan Rhine-Liverman, Bobby's wife. "I got to meet Carly and talk through the process and every day it just got better and better. To see them all together and finished, and with all the families here, it’s a great night and one we’ve been looking forward to. I’ve known them all for a long time and they’re part of our soccer family. We’re just so grateful to the Hunts for keeping Bobby’s memory alive alongside this great group of people.”
Kenny Cooper Jr.
Kenny Cooper’s name is known to FC Dallas fans old and new. The son of Dallas Tornado goalkeeper Kenny Cooper Sr, Cooper Jr. joined the club in 2006 from Manchester United and went on to score 40 goals over four seasons while being named to the MLS All-Star and MLS Best XI along the way. After five years playing in Europe and around MLS, Cooper returned to Dallas in 2013 when he scored a memorable last-minute winner against Texas Derby rivals Houston Dynamo. Nowadays, you can spot Cooper at FC Dallas matches and events as he serves in his current role of official Club Ambassador.
"The fact that Bobby Rhine, Fernando Clavijo and Kenny are on the same wall as Lamar Hunt brings tears to my eyes, it's a tremendous day for us," said Kenny Cooper Sr. "Clark and Dan (Hunt) have been fabulous to Kenny and brought him back to the club as a player and now ambassador of soccer. It's a great day for the Cooper family."
