The first game of the regular season is here as FC Dallas gets set to take on the Houston Dynamo.

The game not only kicks off the new season but it also ignites the Texas Derby for the new season. This marks the earliest regular season meeting between the two squads. Whoever wins the regular season series between the two clubs earns the right to keep El Capitán at their stadium for the next year (Dallas has won El Capitán every year since 2022 and in six of the last seven seasons).

The match will also factor into the Copa Tejas standings for 2025.

FC Dallas Notes:

Key player for FC Dallas: Lucho Acosta - FC Dallas is putting a ton of stock into what Acosta can do for their attacking 2025. While, he didn’t get a ton of preseason action with the team (only 30 minutes last weekend in Atlanta), he’s still the special kind of player that can show up and change a game anywhere he goes.

Last season against Houston: FC Dallas won the season series a year ago against the Dynamo by picking up a 2-0 win at home early in the season before a 1-1 draw in the return match in Houston.

All-time in Houston: FC Dallas has an all-time regular season record of 4-10-11 (34 goal scored, 40 goals conceded) in Houston.

Road woes in 2024: FC Dallas struggled away from home last season, going 1-10-6.

Homegrown clock: In 2024, FC Dallas Homegrowns (Nolan Norris, Dante Sealy, Paxton Pomykal, Jesús Ferreira, Tarik Scott) played a total of 2,438 minutes and made 41 appearances.

Potential Lineup:

The Quill-era is here and so is a new formation.

Paes; Farfan, Abubakar, Ibeagha, Moore; Benetti, Lletget, Julio; Acosta, Kamungo, Musa 

Disciplinary Report

Suspended: none
Suspended after next yellow: none

Availability Report

Out: Geovane Jesus (Right knee), Paxton Pomykal (knee), Show (illness)
Questionable: none
On Loan: Tomas Pondeca (New Mexico United), Carl Sainte (Phoenix Rising), Enes Sali (Al-Riyadh SC)
Unavailable (off-roster): Alejandro Uraza, Malachi Molina, Daniel Baran
International duty: none

Injury Report: Who is out for FC Dallas against the Houston Dynamo
The first injury report of the year is pretty clean.
Big D SoccerDrew Epperley

Houston Notes:

Key player for Houston: Jack McGlynn

The Dynamo were one of the first teams to make a splash in the new cash for players market in MLS. McGlynn could be a key piece to how their midfield works in 2025.

Behind Enemy Lines: Scouting Houston Dynamo 🔎
FC Dallas opens up the new season against their main rivals.
Big D SoccerDrew Epperley

Disciplinary Report

Suspended: none
Suspended on next yellow card: none

Availability Report
Out: Lawrence Ennali
Questionable: none
On Loan: Kieran Sargwant (Lexington), Jefferson Valverde (Orense)
International duty: none

How to watch

📅 Date: Saturday, February 22, 2025
⚽️ Kickoff: 7:30 PM
🏟 Venue: Shell Energy Stadium
📺 Streaming: MLS Season Pass
💬 Gameday Social: #FCDvHOU #TexasDerby
☀️ Weather: 45, possible rain