What to know about Dallas FC with the 2023 MLS season around the corner

Lawrence Dow
Michael Thomas/AP

FC Dallas is a little over two weeks away from the start of the 2023 MLS Season which kicks off on Feb. 25. Here’s everything you need to know before the season begins.

2022 Season Recap

After a disappointing 2021 season which saw FC Dallas place 11th in the Western Conference and 23rd in the league, they rebounded with a successful 2022 campaign.

FC Dallas had a record of 14-9-11 for 53 points. Los Toros ranked third in their conference and seventh in the MLS during the 2022 season.

FC Dallas won the Texas derby against rival Houston Dynamo for the fourth time in the past five seasons and took second in the Copa Tejas to rival Austin FC.

FC Dallas made the playoffs and beat Minnesota United FC 1-1 (5-4 penalty kicks) to advance to the MLS Cup playoff semifinals where they lost 2-1 to Austin FC.

Players to Watch

Paul Arriola: It took a record $2 million in general allocation money on top of a possible $300,000 in incentive bonus to bring Arriola to FC Dallas. His first season he lived up to the hype.

Arriola was a 2022 MLS All-Star and set a career-high in minutes played, goals scored, games started and had his second-most assist in a season.

Coming off the best season of his career what kind of follow-up can Arriola provide for the club?

Jesús Ferreira: A first-time MLS All-Star during the 2022 season, the young forward led the potent FC Dallas attack. In 2022 Ferreira led the team with 18 goals, was second on the team with six assists and third on the team in minutes played with 2,665.

For his achievements, Ferreira was selected as the 2022 MLS Young Player of the Year Award, annually given out to the best MLS player under 22. Ferreira has proven he’s one of the best young players in the league. Can he take the next step to superstardom?

CoachEstévez returns

FC Dallas is coached by Nico Estévez who enters his second season as head coach for the club and previously was an assistant with U.S. Men’s National Team. Estévez was crucial in helping to turn around FC Dallas after their disastrous 2021 season.

Roster

  • Paul Arriola Midfielder

  • Antonio Carrera Goalkeeper

  • Edwin Cerrillo Midfielder

  • Justin Che Defender

  • Marco Farfan Defender

  • Jesús Ferreira Forward

  • Sebastien Ibeagha Defender

  • Geovane Jesus Defender

  • Bernard Kamungo Midfielder

  • Amet Korça Defender

  • Sebastian Lletget Midfielder

  • José Martínez Defender

  • Jimmy Maurer Goalkeeper

  • José Mulato Forward

  • Nolan Norris Defender

  • Tsiki Ntsabeleng Forward

  • Jáder Obrian Forward

  • Maarten Paes Goalkeeper

  • Isaiah Parker Forward

  • Paxton Pomykal Midfielder

  • Facundo Quignon Midfielder

  • Tarik Scott Forward

  • Dante Sealy Forward

  • Brandon Servania Midfielder

  • Collin Smith Defender

  • Nkosi Tafari Defender

  • Emmanuel Twumasi Midfielder

  • Alan Velasco Forward

Season Outlook

FC Dallas is again expected to be one of the better teams in the league this season according to FiveThirtyEight and mlssoccer.com.

The official website of Major League Soccer has them pegged as the fourth-best team in the Western Conference heading into the 2023 season.

FiveThirtyEight’s prediction model gives the club the ninth-best odds to hoist the MLS Cup and a 61% chance to make the playoffs.

FC Dallas opens the season against Minnesota United on Feb.25 at 7:30 p.m. ct at Toyota Stadium.

Schedule

Date and time, Opponent, time (CT), location

Feb. 25, 7:30 p.m., Minnesota United FC, Toyota Stadium

Mar. 4, 7:30 p.m., Los Angeles Galaxy, Toyota Stadium

Mar. 11, 4 p.m., Vancouver Whitecaps, BC Place

Mar. 18, 7:30 p.m., Sporting KC, Toyota Stadium

Mar. 25, 9:30 p.m., Los Angeles FC, BMO Stadium

April 1, 7:30 p.m., Portland Timbers, Toyota Stadium

April 8, 6:30 p.m., Inter Miami, DRV PNK Stadium

April 15, 7:30 p.m., Real Salt Lake, Toyota Stadium

April 22, 6:30 p.m., New York City FC, Citi Field 2

April 30, 8 p.m., Minnesota United, Allianz Field

May 6, 7:30 p.m., St. Louis City, Toyota Stadium

May 13, 7:30 p.m., Austin FC, Q2 Stadium

May 17, 7:30 p.m., Vancouver Whitecaps, Toyota Stadium

May 20, 7:30 p.m., Houston Dynamo, Toyota Stadium

May 27, 9:30 p.m., San Jose Earthquakes, PayPal Park

May 31, 7:30 p.m., Sporting KC, Children’s Mercy Park

June 3, 7:30 p.m., Nashville SC, Toyota Stadium

June 11, 9 p.m., Portland Timber, Providence Park

June 21, 7:30 p.m., Austin FC, Q2 Stadium

July 1, 7:30 p.m., Los Angeles FC, Toyota Stadium

July 4, 7:30 p.m., DC United, Toyota Stadium

July 8, 8:30 p.m., Colorado, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park

July 15, 9:30 p.m., Seattle Sounders, Lumen Field

Aug. 20, 6:30 p.m., Philadelphia Union, Subaru Park

Aug. 26, 7:30 p.m., Austin FC, Toyota Stadium

Aug. 30, 7:30 p.m., St. Louis City, CItyPark

Sept. 2, 7:30 p.m., Atlanta United, Toyota Stadium

Sept. 16, 7:30 p.m., Seattle Sounders, Toyota Stadium

Sept. 20, 8:30 p.m. Real Salt Lake, America First Field

Sept. 23, 7:30 p.m., Columbus Crew, Toyota Stadium

Sept. 30, 7:30 p.m., Houston Dynamo, Shell Energy Stadium

Oct. 4, 7:30 p.m., Colorado Rapids, Toyota Stadium

Oct. 7, 7:30 p.m., San Jose Earthquakes, Toyota Stadium

Oct. 21, 8 p.m., Los Angeles Galaxy, Dignity Health Sports Park

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