Games at Toyota Stadium in 2025 have been different for both players, coaches, and fans. In some ways, the reduced capacity due to the on-going renovation of the stadium could be the main factor.

Whatever the case may be, FC Dallas hasn’t been able to recapture the magic of the past with Fortress Frisco. This season, they only have one home win in seven games and have dropped four matches, including a couple to conference opponents like Seattle and Vancouver.

While the play at home this season hasn’t been good, the road play has been strong for manager Eric Quill and his staff. A week and a half ago, FC Dallas picked up its fourth road win of the season by downing Sporting Kansas City 4-2. Quill is hoping that with three straight home games coming up, including two this week against San Jose and San Diego, the team can finally pick up valuable points in Frisco.

“We have to maximize our home stand. I’m hoping that win in Kansas City will give us a belief in ourselves, but we have to put that game behind us. We have to put our first step forward and make sure we are unbeatable here at home.”

Coming in first is San Jose, one of the league leaders in goals in 2025. Bruce Arena has turned around a club that was the worst in MLS a season ago. Cristian Espinoza, Cristian Arango, and Josef Martinez have combined for 20 of the 35 San Jose goals this season.

“We have a good opponent coming in who scores a lot of goals and is well coached,” said Quill.

San Jose hasn’t won in Frisco since the 2018 season. Slowing them down won’t be easy but if FC Dallas is able to build off their win in Kansas City, it could help set up a nice run for them as the summer heats up.

“Winning gives confidence to this group,” said Quill. “We’re looking for winning streaks. That is what we are striving for here.“

Dipping into the depth

Quill and his staff were able to dip into the roster depth in Kansas City to help pull out the win. Alvaro Augusto made his first start and earned high prise, while Homegrown midfielder Anthony Ramirez and short-term loanee from North Texas SC Josh Torquato also earned some minutes late in the match. Quill hopes those players can build off that experience in some upcoming matches.

“Hopefully their debuts and the quality they came in with will give them the belief in themselves to play at this level,” said Quill. “When you bring young kids into this environment and for them to step up in the moment. You can already see a change in their demeanor in training. That’s what the power of confidence is, so, we were looking to give them their shot and they took the most of it.”

So far this season, FC Dallas has almost 800 minutes from Homegrown players.