FC Dallas announced today that the team will open the 2008 MLS regular season against Chivas USA on Sunday, March 30 at Pizza Hut Park at 2 p.m. CT. The following week, FCD will travel south to face the reigning MLS Cup Champion Houston Dynamo on Sunday, April 6, also at 2 p.m. CT. This marks the twelfth time in Dallas history that the team will play its first game of the season at home.
FC Dallas holds a 5-3-3 all-time record versus Chivas USA after splitting the 2007 season series 1-1-1. All-time, Dallas has posted a 6-3-3 record in its 13 season openers. Dallas was the only MLS team to begin each of its first 11 seasons at home, prior to opening with three consecutive road games in 2007.
In the 2007 season opener, FCD came from behind to tie Real Salt Lake 2-2 at Rice-Eccles Stadium on a Carlos Ruiz goal scored in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time. Dallas did not play its first home game in 2007 until April 22, the team's fourth game of the season, in which FCD defeated the Colorado Rapids 3-1 in front of a sell-out crowd at Pizza Hut Park. Dallas is 7-3-2 all-time in home openers, and 3-4-5 in the first road game of the season.
Tickets for FC Dallas' 2008 season opener against Chivas USA are on sale now through FC Dallas Full Season Ticket Plans, which provide 20 games starting at $260. For more information, visit www.fcdallas.com or call 888-FCD-GOAL (888-323-4625).
ALL-TIME DALLAS HOME OPENERS (7-3-2)
Apr. 14, 1996: Dallas 1, San Jose 0; 27,779 (Cotton Bowl)
Mar. 29, 1997: Dallas 0, New England 1; 11,063 (Cotton Bowl)
Mar. 21, 1998: Dallas 2, Colorado 1; 11,103 (Cotton Bowl)
Mar. 20, 1999: Dallas 4, Kansas City 0; 17,112 (Cotton Bowl)
Mar. 14, 2000: Dallas 4, Chicago 2; 12,891 (Cotton Bowl)
Apr. 7, 2001: Dallas 2, Tampa Bay 4, 15,124 (Cotton Bowl)
Mar. 23, 2002: Dallas 0, San Jose 2; 15,214 (Cotton Bowl)
Apr. 12, 2003: Dallas 1, Los Angeles 1; 9,098 (Dragon Stadium, Southlake, Texas)
Apr. 3, 2004: Dallas 1, Colorado 1; 7,359 (Cotton Bowl)
Apr. 2, 2005: Dallas 2, Chicago 1; 10,504 (Cotton Bowl)
Apr. 1, 2006: Dallas 3, Chicago 2; 19,377 (Pizza Hut Park)
Apr. 22, 2007: Dallas 3, Colorado 1, 20,500 (Pizza Hut Park)
