Major League Soccer had already released the opening kick dates for each team but on Wednesday the clubs, including FC Dallas and Houston Dynamo found out their full 2013 schedule.
Houston have their home opener on March 2nd against the same team from their 2012 home opener, DC United, with that match broadcast on the NBC Sports Network while FC Dallas have their home opener at the same time against Colorado.
2013 sees the addition of “Rivalry Week” a weekend with eight rivalry matches, including the Texan Derby which will be held at FC Dallas Stadium on March 17th at noon and will be the only Texan derby of the season as MLS persists with the 2012 format.
More than 90% of the matches of the 2013 season will take place on weekends, with Houston having just one home midweek fixture, against Kansas City on October 9th while Dallas face Portland on May 8th as their only midweek game.
Dallas have also been given a patriotic match on the fourth of July when they host Chivas USA, perhaps an odd choice of opponent given the Mexican roots of that club.
In an odd quirk on the FC Dallas schedule they will play Vancouver in two consecutive weeks at home on April 20th and then away on April 27th.
FC Dallas’ other major rivalry, the Brimstone Cup against Chicago, will happen in one of the last rounds of the season as they host Chicago on October 12th.
The disappointing news for fans in this MLS Season is that there will be no MLS Cup rematch, with Houston and Los Angeles not being drawn against each other for out of conference play in 2013.
But for fans of both Texas teams the schedule is fairly balanced, with Houston having fewer games in the middle of summer which will please both fans and players.
For all the latest San Antonio (and Texas) Soccer news please subscribe and follow the writer on twitter.
Comments