FRISCO, TEXAS — FC Dallas has their eyes set on getting a win in the month of March.
While they have not won since their home opener and are currently on a three-game losing streak, the match on Saturday against in-state rivals Austin FC just means more.
Why?
Because it’s a derby, and the game marks the first match of this season’s Copa Tejas, a fan-led, regular season competition that determines whether Dallas, Austin, or Houston Dynamo FC are the best in Texas.
Coming off of a bye week, Dallas’ focus shifts to their road trip south. FCD has earned two wins and a draw out of its four regular-season games at Q2 Stadium, and it’s actually place Paul Arriola likes to go.
“I love their fans,” Arriola said. “Their fans are loyal [and] committed. They make it loud [and] difficult for away teams.”
But, “we are looking to spoil the party,” Arriola said.
The Verde and Black have other plans: winning their first game of the season.
Austin had draws in each of its last two home matches, but has had recent success hosting Dallas, winning two of the last three games on home soil. Most recently, a dominating 3-0 performance last June.
Keep an eye out for midfielder Sebastián Driussi, their captain who led the team in scoring back in the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Goalkeeper Brad Stuver is also leading the MLS with 27 saves so far this season, pricing a tough match for forwards like Arriola, Petar Musa and Jesús Ferreira.
“Sometimes tactics get thrown out the window [in a derby],” defender Nkosi Tafari said. “It’s just like you and the guy in front of you, like a duel. I think that’s all we have to do… be aggressive, be physical and take the really nasty aspect of going into a darby game.”
Tafari, the lone goal scorer the last time these two sides met at Toyota Stadium back in August of last season, was the late-game hero after scoring a header six minutes into the seven minutes of extra time.
He also likes to play in Austin, but especially likes “beating them right in front of their fans,” he said.
Arriola has a message for FC Dallas fans: “Rivalry games are always about the fans… We’re hoping that they are going to be able to watch… and be proud of who we are, and how we play and how we win.
As for Tafari, it’s simple: “We’re going to win.”
