The Texas Derby is back, and FC Dallas gets the first crack at the Houston Dynamo this season under the lights at Toyota Stadium. Rivalry games don’t need much extra juice, but with early-season points on the line and Copa Tejas bragging rights in play, this one carries a little extra bite.
For FC Dallas, it’s all about setting the tone at home and brining the edge you’d expect in this matchup. Houston comes in for its first road test of the season, which only add another layer. Can Dallas make it uncomfortable from the jump and remind everyone who runs this rivalry? Or will Houston pull off another upset in Frisco like they did a year ago?
Let’s dive into some notes, predictions, and more.
TL;DR: Match Preview
Quick hits before kickoff.
- Score prediction: FC Dallas 2 - 1 Houston
- Key player to watch: Petar Musa - If he can continue his form from last week, Dallas will come out on top.
- Why this game matters: A home game against the club's top rival is enough to get anyone hyped for this one.
The free stuff tells you what happened. A paid subscription tells you why it happened, what it means for FC Dallas, and what’s coming next—before anyone else catches up.
FC Dallas Notes:
Key player for FC Dallas: Petar Musa - He's in the lead for the Golden Boot for a reason. If he is on his game, Dallas isn't losing this one.
All-time at home vs Houston: FC Dallas holds a 11-4-9 all-time regular-season home record against Houston. Dallas has scored 40 home goals against the Dynamo. The Dynamo has scored 27.
Homegrown clock: Homegrown keeper Michael Collodi was the only HGP earning minutes this season until last week when Nolan Norris joined him on the field. Collodi has played the full 90 in each match, while Norris has played 90 minutes this season. Together they have played 450 minutes.
Drew Epperley
Notable season stats:
- FCD is eighth in crosses in MLS with 54.
- FCD is ninth in total distance covered in MLS with 475.33 km (295.36
miles). - FCD is fifth in MLS in aerial challenges won with 63.
- FC Dallas is 10th in MLS in xG with 7.5.
- FCD is tied for ninth in shots across MLS with 52.
- Musa is third in MLS in xG with 3.68. He also leads MLS in goals from open play with four.
Potential FC Dallas Lineup:
The big question will be whether or not Osaze Urhoghide will be back for this one, or if the club will hold him out as a precaution again this weekend with the upcoming FIFA window coming up.
Projected Starting XI
Formation: 3-4-3Availability & Disciplinary Report
Suspended: none
Suspended with next yellow card: none
Suspended with next two yellow cards: none
Season-ending injury list: Kaka Scabin
Out: Anderson Julio (Lower leg)
Questionable: none
On Loan: Tsiki Ntsabeleng (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Enes Sali (Al-Riyadh), Malachi Molina (Nashville SC), Geovane Jesus (North Texas SC), Enzo Newman (North Texas SC)
Unavailable (off-roster): Daniel Baran, Jaidyn Contreras
International duty: none
The free stuff tells you what happened. A paid subscription tells you why it happened, what it means for FC Dallas, and what’s coming next—before anyone else catches up.
Houston Notes:
Key player for Houston: Mateusz Bogusz
Drew Epperley
Disciplinary Report
Suspended: Nick Markanich
Suspended on next yellow card: none
Availability Report
Out: Artur (lower body), Lucas Halter (Lower body)
Questionable: none
On Loan: none
International duty: none
