There’s more to soccer culture than the professional game, which is why we’ve put together guides for each of MLS’ 19 markets. Whether you’re just dropping in on vacation or hitting the road with your fellow supporters, here’s the lowdown on what to do and how to do it.
SOCCER CULTURE
Soccer culture in Dallas is growing rapidly. Texas has always been synonymous with American football, sporting passionate fans who show intense loyalty to their teams from peewee to the pros. But with a growing hispanic population and the increase in popularity of the US national team over the last decade, soccer has found its way into the local sports index. FC Dallas makes Frisco its home, and the city’s schools have even incorporated special curriculum that allows students to practice at the FC Dallas Academy, just a small part of the massive youth soccer culture in the Metroplex.
WHERE TO PLAY
Warren Sports Complex in Frisco is a spacious park that caters to both organized and pick-up games. Located just three miles northeast of FC Dallas’ Toyota Stadium, the park spans 105 acres and sports seven lighted fields in addition to basketball courts, tennis courts, a large pavilion, barbeque grills and a playground for the young’uns. Because north Dallas is where soccer is most popular in DFW, this park is sure to be bouncing on a warm Texas afternoon.
Russell Creek Park in Plano is another venue where multiple soccer games can be found on any given day. It's located 10 miles southeast of Toyota Stadium in northern Plano and is home to 21 soccer fields and other park amenities. It is only two miles from Highway 121, where many restaurants, bars and shopping centers can be found within reasonable driving distance.
LOCAL CUISINE
- Sonny Bryan’s Smokehouse showcases classic Texas barbecue and can be found in multiple parts of the DFW Metroplex. But if you’re looking for something even more unique, try the barbeque brunch at Smoke.
- Dallas is also known for its quality Tex-Mex, with local eateries such as Gloria’s packing the strongest punch. On the Fort Worth side of town, Joe T Garcia’s has some of the best fajitas in town, but bring cash.
- If you’re looking for a unique dining experience, head up (literally) to Five Sixty in Reunion Tower. The Wolfgang Puck restaurant sits in the iconic ball at the top of the most unique building in the Dallas skyline, which provides an aerial view of the city unattainable anywhere else. And, yes, the restaurant spins slowly, so you will get to see Dallas from every angle while enjoying high-end cuisine.
Honorable mentions: Bob’s Steak & Chop House, Twisted Root Burger Co., Iron Cactus Mexican Grill & Margarita Bar
SOCCER BARS
- The Londoner Pub & Grill is a popular sports bar just two blocks away from Toyota Stadium. The Frisco location hosts Manchester City watch parties while also serving as a fun place to mosey over to after an FC Dallas match.
- The Fox and the Hound sports multiple large screen TVs, ample seating space, pool tables and a wide variety of drinks. The ambiance is classier than a typical sports bar but still brings in a rambunctious crowd for soccer matches and other sporting events.
- If you are on the Fort Worth side of the Metroplex, 7th Street is the home of bars such as The Pour House, Bar Louis, Capital, Reservoir, and Barcadia. All have a thriving nightlife, especially for the younger crowds.
WHERE TO VISIT
One of the most iconic pieces of Dallas history is the Sixth Floor Museum in downtown Dallas. Known for being the building that President Kennedy was shot from, you can even see markings on the street where Kennedy’s motorcade was when he was assassinated.
The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is one of the city’s most fascinating attractions, not only for what's inside but also its unique architecture. There you will find a handful of interactive exhibits geared toward visitors of all ages.
It’s football country, so a trip to Dallas without viewing AT&T Stadium in Arlington would feel somewhat empty. Even if there's not a Dallas Cowboys game or other event going on, taking a tour of the stadium is worth the experience. It is one of the largest venues in the world, and stepping inside “Jerry’s World” and viewing the home of the Cowboys is sure to leave many in awe.
Honorable mentions: The Gaylord Texan, the Fort Worth Zoo, a Dallas Sidekicks game
MATCHDAY
In the heart of American football country, FC Dallas games combine the best of both worlds. One football tradition that's carried over to soccer is tailgating. Before an FC Dallas match, the parking lots fill with the kind of smokey, meat-based enthusiasm that you would see at a college or professional football game. But unlike going to a Cowboys game, the passion for the game remains constant from the opening kickoff until the end of extra time.
MATCHDAY TIPS:
- Get to the stadium early: Toyota Stadium is located right off of the Dallas North Tollway, which is one of the most congested highways in town. On any given weekday, between 4 and 7 pm, you could find yourself at a standstill in rush-hour traffic and in danger of missing the start of an evening match.
- On the traffic note: Construction is surely happening somewhere on a major Dallas highway. Once you know where you are staying, do some research on the roads you’ll need to travel on so you can avoid nasty lane closures. Without doing this, your commute to the stadium could be much longer than you anticipated, especially if you’re staying in Dallas as opposed to the Frisco area.
- Check your weather app frequently: Although Dallas has a reputation of being extremely warm in the summer months, the weather can be completely unpredictable in spring and fall. Just because it is scorching hot at midday doesn't mean that rain and cool temperatures are out of the question as the evening approaches.
