Who Are FC Dallas?
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Who Are FC Dallas? History, Stats & More

Contesting from the Western Conference, FC Dallas is a process soccer team, constituting one of the best teams since 1996. It belongs to Fort Worth metroplex in Dallas. Earlier known as the Dallas Burn, it renamed itself in 2004, also shifting to a new place for northern suburb matches.

FC Dallas initially played its home matches in the Cotton Bowl stadium and has been associated with three different playing facilities. However, as history suggests, a series of overhauls led to a change in its soccer hosting facility, the Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.

FC Dallas

The International Federation of Football History and Statistics placed FC Dallas at 190th place in the best football clubs category, thanks to the amazing leadership and management under the Hunt Group jointly owned by brothers Clark and Dan Hunt. They have a wide fanbase owing to their massive achievements that also include two U.S. Open Cups.

History Of FC Dallas: Founded In 1995

FC Dallas was founded in 1995 and began play in 1996, as Dallas Burn who were then renamed to FC Dallas in 2004. The roots of the club are from Dallas with their home matches played in the facility in Texas. The journey has been quite a rollercoaster with them having to settle for the MLS Runner-up in the 2010 finals against the Colorado Rapids in a neck-cut game.

Being voted as the 9th best club in CONCACAF, FC Dallas has gathered a wide fanbase and praise to brace themselves. Hugo Sanchez was the first designated player in the FC Dallas who along with others played their first match on April 14th, 1996 defeating the San Jose Clash.

Q: When was FC Dallas originally founded?

Ans: FC Dallas was originally founded in 1995.

WHO Was The Founder Of FC Dallas?

The FC Dallas is founded by the Hunt Sports Group, currently headed by brothers Clark and Dan Hunt.

Dan Hunt is also the president of the team now. The Hunt Group, rather than the family is known widely for also owning other significant teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and the Chicago Bulls

Current President Of FC Dallas; Who Is Dan Hunt?

Dan Hunt has been the key to FC Dallas’s success and has held them well through a meandering journey. He is the part owner of the Hunt Sports Group, the entity known to be the founder of FC Dallas.

Dan has exhibited extraordinary leadership and led FC Dallas on a journey that claimed two U.S. Open cups. A successful president, he also heads the NFL’s teams and has done quite well in ensuring the best transitions throughout the Dallas active years.

Dan was named the president in 2014, also serving as the President of Dallas’ host city bid. The team also had one of the best and most updated facilities with an overhauled image to boast. Dan Hunt currently has $1 billion worth of a soccer empire to his name, all following the footsteps of his late father Lamar Hunt.

Stadium Of FC Dallas: Toyota Stadium

The FC Dallas stadium story is a different one with the team having the honor of playing their home matches in three different stadiums, all from time to time. The first stadium was the Cotton Bowl Stadium, which the football club shifted from in 2005. The next in line was the Dragon Stadium at Southlake, followed by the current facility Toyota Stadium in Frisco.

Toyota Stadium - FC Dallas

The Toyota Stadium has a capacity of 19,096 (Soccer games). It is also home to the National Soccer Hall of Fame since 2018, with a ‘Bermuda Grass’ surface. The stadium has been constructed and expanded by Lee Lewis Construction, Inc, supported by Frisco Independent School District.

Q: What is the name of FC Dallas’ stadium?

Ans: The first stadium of FC Dallas was the Cotton Bowl Stadium, which the football club shifted from in 2005. Followed by Dragon Stadium at Southlake, followed by the current facility Toyota Stadium in Frisco.

Fans And Culture Of FC Dallas

FC Dallas is a club with a passionate fan base. The fans of FC Dallas are diverse, ranging from families and casual supporters to die-hard ultras who lead the cheers from the stands. They come from all walks of life and are united by their love of the game and their unwavering support of the club.

One of the most iconic traditions of FC Dallas fans is their pre-game tailgating parties in the parking lot outside Toyota Stadium. Here, fans come together to enjoy food, drinks, and good company before heading into the stadium to cheer on their team. One of the most notable fan groups is the Dallas Beer Guardians, who are known for their creative and rowdy chants and their love of beer. 

Another fan group is El Matador, which is known for its colorful tifo displays and its support of the team on and off the field. Overall, FC Dallas fans are known for their loyalty to the team and their love of the sport. 

FC Dallas is a club that prides itself on its unique culture, one that centers around nurturing homegrown talent and building a team that represents the local community. Rather than chasing big-name stars and foreign imports, FC Dallas has found success by developing homegrown talent from the youth leagues around Dallas and Fort Worth.

With a focus on developing local players, FC Dallas has created a team that is not only successful on the pitch but also resonates with the local community. For FC Dallas, the future of American soccer is obvious: the talent is here, ready to be made.

FC Dallas Key Individuals

Notable Players In The History Of FC Dallas

Over the years, FC Dallas has seen many talented players don their distinctive red and white jerseys. Among the most notable players in the club’s history is the versatile and skilled midfielder Carlos Ruiz, who scored 82 goals in 128 appearances for the club. 

Another standout player is Oscar Pareja, a fan favorite who played for the team in the early 2000s and later went on to become the team’s head coach, leading them to multiple playoff appearances. 

Other notable players in the club’s history include Jason Kreis, who played for the team for nearly a decade and then served as head coach, leading the team to their first MLS Cup final in 2010. Defender Matt Hedges, a longtime team captain, has also made his mark with the club, earning MLS Best XI honors in 2015 and 2016. 

Best Manager In The History Of FC Dallas

FC Dallas has had several talented managers at the helm over the years, but one name stands out above the rest: Schellas Hyndman. Serving as head coach from 2008 to 2013, Hyndman led the team to unprecedented success, including a trip to the MLS Cup Final in 2010. During his tenure, he was named MLS Coach of the Year in 2010 and was a two-time finalist for the award. 

Schellas Hyndman - FC Dallas Coach

Hyndman brought a wealth of experience and knowledge to the team, having previously coached at the college level for over 30 years. He was known for his ability to develop young talent, and many of his players went on to become successful in MLS and beyond. Hyndman’s impact on FC Dallas is still felt to this day, and he remains one of the most beloved and respected figures in the club’s history.

FC Dallas Record Breakers

All-time Top Scorers Of FC Dallas

In the early days of Major League Soccer, few players were as prolific as FC Dallas legend Jason Kreis. The former forward joined the Dallas Burn in the inaugural MLS season and quickly made his mark by scoring the first goal in team history. Kreis went on to have an incredible career with Dallas, leading the team in goals and points on multiple occasions.

In 1999, Kreis was named league MVP after registering a remarkable 15-goal, 15-assist season. He continued to make history in MLS, becoming the league’s all-time leading goal scorer in 2004 with his 89th league goal. He is the first American-born to have boasted the MVP title.

NAME OF THE PLAYERNUMBER OF GOALS SCORED
Jason Kreis97
Kenny Cooper Jr.49
Blas Perez42
Fabian Castillo39
Carlos Ruiz39

Q. Who’s all-time leading goal-scorer in MLS?

Ans. Chris Wondolowski has scored 174 goals which is the current record for the most goals scored by a player in the MLS.

All-time Top Assist Providers Of FC Dallas

Colombian footballer Michael Barrios signed with FC Dallas in 2015 from Uniautónoma. He scored a hat-trick in the 2018 season against Sporting Kansas City. In 2021, after six seasons with Dallas, Barrios was traded to the Colorado Rapids.

He left Dallas as the club’s second all-time leader in combined goals and assists, registering 30 goals and 40 assists since 2015, and finishing in the top-5 in MLS in assists in 2017 and 2019.

NAME OF THE PLAYERNUMBER OF ASSISTS
Michael Barrios48
Mauri Diaz40
Jason Kreis35
Oscar Pareja33
David Ferreira32

Who Has The Most All-time Appearances For FC Dallas?

Matt Hedges was one of MLS’ best defenders since 2014. Moreover, the exemplary center back was also part of the MLS Best XI in 2015 and 2016.

Jason Kreis - FC Dallas
NAME OF THE PLAYERNUMBER OF APPEARANCES
Matt Hedges349
Jason Kreis277
Bobby Rhine229
Ryan Hollingshead222
Michael Barrios211

Most Expensive Transfers In The History Of FC Dallas

In February 2022, promising Argentinian, Alan Velasco was brought in the FC Dallas for a record-breaking fee – further solidifying the club’s ambition to develop stars for the future.

NAMECLUB FROMCLUB TOTRANSFER AMOUNT
Alan VelascoIndependienteFC Dallas$6.36m
Bryan AcostaCD TenerifeFC Dallas$2.8m
Paul ArriolaD.C. UnitedFC Dallas$1.82m
Carlos GruezoVfB StattgartFC Dallas$1.5m
Geovane JesusCruzeiroFC Dallas$1.37m

Q. What was the original name of FC Dallas?

Ans. FC Dallas were one of the 10 founding members of the MLS. Prior to 2005, they were known as Dallas Burn.

Conclusion: Overview Of FC Dallas Legacy

FC Dallas is one of the most known and cherished franchises in Major League Soccer history. Since being founded in 1996, the club has consistently performed at the highest level, making the playoffs an impressive 16 times and capturing multiple division titles. But perhaps what sets FC Dallas apart from other MLS teams is its steadfast commitment to youth development.

The club’s highly successful academy system has produced a number of talented players who have gone on to play for the senior team, including several who have represented the United States national team.

FC Dallas Achievements

This emphasis on developing young talent has not only contributed to the club’s on-field success but also cemented its legacy as one of the most respected and innovative franchises in MLS.

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