2025 FC Dallas Schedule Reactions

While nowhere near the event that the NFL does with theirs, MLS schedule release day has become a minor to do over the last few years. Teams produce fun content around it, and it helps generate excitement about midway through the off-season. It’s a beacon that your winter (be it long or short) is close to its end, and soon players will return to their home markets post New Year’s Day to begin gearing up for the season anew.

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Schedules are like snowflakes, they’re all different and special in their own ways. FC Dallas released theirs today, so let’s take a look at what the 2025 offering has for fans in Frisco.

It’s the weekend, time to party

Without a 100% full reading of the schedule due to US Open Cup and Leagues Cup still sorting itself out, what we do have lines out quite well for those who aren’t fans of midweek soccer. FC Dallas doesn’t play a midweek game until May 28th, when they hit the road against FC Cincinnati. That means the first 14 games of the season are on Saturday or Sunday. Specifically Saturday, as the only Sunday game is a road game on April 20th against Minnesota.

In total, Dallas only has five non weekend games on their slate currently. One of those is the annual July 4th game, which is a Friday this year against the aforementioned Loons. This clears the deck for a more balanced schedule overall in terms of match load for players and fans alike.

This is most evident starting on August 16th, when Dallas makes their only scheduled trip to Q2 Stadium facing former manager Nico Estévez and Austin. It’s nine straight full match weeks of prep, finishing on October 18th against Vancouver at BC Place coming off the October international window. There will be minimal excuse when it comes to fatigue and planning for this team if they’re looking to achieve something down the stretch.

Rivalry weeks

San Diego entering the league re-balances the Western Conference schedule, meaning no more odd number matches in the Texas triangle. Dallas gets two games each against their Copa Tejas rivals as God intended.

That starts early this season, with Dallas opening up their season at Shell Energy Stadium against the Houston Dynamo. Opening on the road isn’t common for the Toros; they haven’t done it since 2017 when they played the LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park. The good news? Dallas won that day 2-1 with goals from Maxi Urruti and Kellyn Acosta.

El Capitan will be decided before summer begins, as Houston makes their only visit to Frisco on May 17th. That’ll be the homecoming for now former FC Dallas keeper Jimmy Maurer as well; he signed with Houston earlier this week for two years after playing eight seasons at Toyota Stadium.

The other half of Copa Tejas ends up being decided late in the year. As mentioned above Dallas first faces Austin in mid August before welcoming in the Verde to Frisco on September 13th.

A welcome return to the fixture list this season is the Brimstone Cup, as FC Dallas faces the Chicago Fire in the home opener on March 8th. Dallas hasn’t held the Cup since 2018 when they beat Chicago 3-1 at Toyota Stadium. The last time these teams faced off was 2022, which was a nil nil draw enabling the Fire to keep the cup they won in 2019.

Games of Note

Every game is impoortant in some way, but there are a few highlights on the schedule this year. Some are already listed, but I’ll add them in here as well just for list’s sake.

• February 22nd: Season opener away against Houston Dynamo (El Capitan)
• March 8th: Home opener against Chicago Fire (Brimstone Cup)
• April 12th: Home against Seattle Sounders. With the rumors of Paul Arriola and Jesus Ferreira being traded still around, this game could be their return to Toyota Stadium should those deals be executed.
• April 26th away against Inter Miami It’s Messi and friends in a re-match of the famous 2023 Leagues Cup game. That should be fun no matter what.
• May 3rd away against San Diego FC Dallas’ first ever trip to Snapdragon Stadium against the expansion side San Diego FC.
• May 17th home against Houston Dynamo (El Capitan)
• June 28th home against San Diego FC The first trip to Frisco for the expansion side.
• July 4th home against Minnesota United The annual July 4th game is a conference game against a familiar foe in the Loons
• August 16th away against Austin FC The first time FC Dallas will see former boss Nico Estévez while also beginning the second leg of Copa Tejas play.
• August 30th away against LA Galaxy Dallas doesn’t get to see the reigning MLS champions until after the summer window will close. It’s also unlikely that star Riqui Puig will have recovered from his ACL injury in time to be ready for this one.
• September 13th home against Austin The Copa Tejas finale for Austin as well as Estévez’ return to Toyota Stadium.
• October 4th home against LA Galaxy The final home game of the season is against the champs. There’s also a higher chance Puig plays in this game than the one in Carson, although unclear how much.
• October 18th away against Vancouver Whitecaps The season finale and what a place to draw it. Dallas’ record at BC Place is unseemly to say the least, so it’d be best if they lock up anything they’re trying to achieve before that visit to western Canada.

Overall this is a good schedule for Dallas. There are minimal windows of time where the team will have short weeks, and the large amount of Saturday game should keep Toyota Stadium full (relatively speaking with construction beginning next month). If you’re Eric Quill and company, you’ve got to like how this lines out for you. Now it’ll be about doing the right things to make the most of the gift the schedule makers delivered.

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