DALLAS, Texas - FC Dallas General Manager Michael Hitchcock announced today that the club will open its 11th season of exciting Major League Soccer action on Saturday, April 1 against the Chicago Fire. This game, which will be the first season opener in the history of Pizza Hut Park, will kickoff at 3 p.m. (CDT).
This will be the second consecutive year in which the Hoops will kick off their campaign against their Brimstone Cup rivals the Fire. On April 2, 2005 Richard Mulrooney and Eddie Johnson scored in a 2-1 win over Chicago at the Cotton Bowl to give their side its first win in a season opener since the 2000 season when it also defeated the Fire. Since the start of MLS in 1996, Dallas is 5-3-2 in its season opening contests, with all 10 matches being played in the Lone Star State.
"We fully expect the Sunday headline to read "FC Dallas Defeats Fire at Sold Out Pizza Hut Park to Kick Off 2006 MLS Season"," Hitchcock said. "We couldn't ask for a better scenario to start the 2006 season; at home in front of our fans and against our Brimstone Cup rivals."
FC Dallas and the Fire split their two regular season meetings last year, with the Fire claiming a 2-0 home win on June 12, but it was the Hoops who once again claimed the Brimstone Cup thanks to their 1-0 win over Chicago in the U.S. Open Cup, a win that was the first for Colin Clarke's men in the history of Pizza Hut Park.
In addition to the season opener against the Fire, one other FC Dallas game was announced on Tuesday as the Hoops will travel to Colorado for the Rapids' home opener on Saturday, April 15.
As a special incentive for this match, the first group to purchase 50 or more tickets to the FC Dallas season opener against the Fire, will receive an exclusive postgame autograph session with the FC Dallas player of the group's choice. Groups hoping to take advantage of this one-time offer can call 1-888-FCD-GOAL for their tickets or more information.
All fans can guarantee themselves of a seat at the Hoops season opener today by purchasing an FC Dallas Holiday Pack. This special ticket offer includes four tickets to the game against the Fire, an FC Dallas knit cap and a special FC Dallas Holiday card. Prices for this limited time offer start at just $44 dollars, but the package must be purchased before 4 p.m. on Thursday, December 22 to take advantage of this fantastic deal.
In addition to the FC Dallas Holiday Pack, FC Dallas 2006 season tickets are on sale now. There are a wide range of seating options available, starting at just $180 per ticket for a full season plan which includes all 16 FC Dallas regular season home games, as well as four bonus games. There are also significant discounts available on FCD's ten and five-game ticket plans. Call 1-888-FCD-GOAL or visit www.fcdallas.net to reserve your spot at Pizza Hut Park for the exciting 2006 FC Dallas season.
