Not only will this weekend mark FC Dallas’ first trip away from home of the 2010 regular season, but it will also mark the first time FCD has seen the sparkling new Red Bull Arena, the new home of the New York Red Bulls. Here’s what some Dallas players and coaches are saying about seeing the new facility for the first time later this week.
Midfielder Eric Avila
“I’m dying to see it. I have a friend up there, Conor Chinn. He and Jeremy Hall are friends of mine. I know him [Hall] from residency and he’s a really good friend of mine. Conor Chinn is from my neighborhood and played on my club team. I’m really excited. I think it’s going to be great. I’m excited.”
Midfielder Atiba Harris
“Ever since I heard about it and saw pictures of it, I’ve been looking forward to playing in it. I’m really looking forward to playing in the new stadium. I have a whole bunch of family-uncles, who live in New York. Hopefully, they’ll be at the game. Hopefully they show up if they get tickets. They always come out and support me. The stadium is really nice and I look forward to playing there.”
Defender Ugo Ihemelu
“I think a lot of guys are going to be up for it because it is a new stadium. From what we’ve seen so far, they’ve always had pretty good turnouts. They have a pretty good team this year.”
Defender George John
“I’m super excited. It will be a good test of our team to go play on the road to see how we adjust to the away atmosphere, especially with Red Bull having their new park. It’s going to be really exciting to play in their new stadium.”
Defender Heath Pearce
“Yeah, definitely [I am excited]. I’ve heard it’s a really nice stadium. I’ve seen it on TV. I’ve seen the commercials on TV as well. It’s going to be an exciting thing for us. We’re coming off two home ties, which isn’t exactly what we wanted to do. It still puts us in a position to go, get a win in New York, which puts us right back in position for everything.”
Goalkeeper Dario Sala
“I hear it’s beautiful. I’m glad that people and companies are investing in soccer in the USA. It makes me really happy. That [they're not playing in Giants Stadium any more] is a really good thing. The ball bounced crazy there and I never played well in that stadium.”
FCD Head Coach Schellas Hyndman
“Yeah, I think it’s going to be great. It’s definitely a reason to go [to see the Red Bulls play] compared to going on the old field with the Astroturf. It’s going to be a fantastic environment. It will be a fantastic crowd and facilities. I’m looking forward to that as well.”
