Mauro Manotas vs FC Dallas
Mauro Manotas, right, evades FC Dallas midfielder Edwin Cerillo, left, during the first Texas Derby of the 2019 season. (Courtesy of DeporteTotalUSA)

Texas Derby: Bragging rights, playoff hopes, are on the line for the Dynamo

By /

HOUSTON – There’s no love lost between Houston and Dallas. And that extends to sports and most certainly to the Houston Dynamo and FC Dallas.

Anytime two teams from Houston and Dallas face-off, the banter between the two cities ratches up a notch. And it’s no different when it comes to the only two — at least until Austin FC begins to play — Major League Soccer teams from Texas.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner even took a shot at FC Dallas on Twitter. Turner made a bet with Jeff Cheney the mayor of Frisco, TX, where FC Dallas play their home games, instead of the mayor of Dallas. 

The passion for the rivalry extends to both club’s front office. During the week, the teams’ social media accounts took jabs at each other with each one-upping the other.

Houston Dash head coach James Clarkson — who experienced the Texas Derby at the youth level when he was with the Dynamo Academy, most recently being the director of youth development — didn’t miss an opportunity to throw a jab himself.

More specifically, referencing the Dynamo’s first MLS Cup, which they won in 2006 when the final was held at Toyota Park, then known as Pizza Hut Park.

“I still remember us winning the MLS Cup at their stadium. So that was always nice. And I don’t think they’ve ever won one,” Clarkson said.

“But yeah, it’s good. I think it’s great for the sport to have a real rivalry. I do feel that against FC Dallas, it is a real rivalry and they’re always good games.”

Playing in a Derby

Every game is important but Derbies, or Clasicos, as they’re also called, bring out that little something extra out of everyone. Player and coaches alike.

Interim head coach Davy Arnaud played in more than a handful of them when he was a member of Sporting KC, then known as the Kansas City Wizards.

And while FC Dallas is Houston’s main soccer rivalry, the Orange have an out-of-state rival in Sporting KC. Arnaud remembers all too well playing in those games and how a player approaches them.

“There is a different element when you play these games. I was fortunate to get to play in quite a few against Houston. Everyone knows it. Everyone feels it. You don’t really have to say too much about how important the game is. Or how it’s going to feel different because I think everyone understands it,” Arnaud said.

“I think the players who haven’t got to be involved in one of these games, we have enough guys in the locker room who have played in several games like these. So, they’ll let them know. We’ll remind them but I think the players will remind each other as well.”

Former Dynamo defender and current Houston Dash assistant coach Eddie Robinson played in his share of Texas Derbies, and the hard-nosed defender remembers those games vividly.

Robinson, however, thinks the Texas Derby has a lost a little of its fiery passion. Stating that the rivalry isn’t what it used to be.

“When you go back to my days when it was, I think a more intense rivalry. You played Dallas four times a year, then you played them in the playoffs. You probably played them in the preseason. So you’re looking at six times a year, maybe seven if you meet in the Open Cup. And that’s that, familiarity breeds contempt, was very true,” Robinson said.

“Now, I think a bit of it’s lost. It’s not lost on the fans. And it certainly, as you saw on Twitter, it’s not lost in the front offices, right? I mean, there are there certain things to brag about and be proud about. But I think it’s a bit different.”

Last Texas Derby of the season

Dynamo and Dallas fans
Houston Dynamo fans, left, and FC Dallas fans, right, during the first Texas Derby of the 2019 MLS season. (Courtesy of DeportesTotalUSA)

On Sunday night, the two MLS teams will battle it out for their second and final matchup of the 2019 season.

At present time, Houston’s all-time regular-season record against FC Dallas stands at 11-10-13. In the 2019 season, Houston won the first Derby in a 2-1 home win.

Sunday’s match at Toyota Stadium will be for more than just bragging rights for the season. FC Dallas is in eight place with 37 points while Houston is in 1oth place with 31 points.

A win for the Orange puts them a bit closer to reaching the playoff line and hampers FC Dallas playoff chances. Arnaud called Sunday’s match a six-point game.

“It’s a rivalry game against the team we’re battling with for a playoff spot. We understand all those things,” Arnaud said. “You know, we made that point this week, at the start of the week, what this game is going to mean for us and the importance of it now with eight games left, we understand.”

Arnaud knows the problems FC Dallas will pose to Houston on the pitch. He called them a dangerous and youthful team that enjoys having the ball and that is good on the ball.

On Sunday, he wants La Naranja to be organized in defending so as to no be picked apart when Dallas has the ball.

With the whirlwind that the Dynamo have experienced amidst the firing of Wilmer Cabrera, does the Texas Derby come at a good time for the Orange?

“It’s no better game to get fired up for than a rivalry. So I mean, everything is going to be there, the adrenaline, the defense is going to be there. And I mean, for us, we want to win. And for the fans here at home, we want to win way against Dallas, it means a lot,” Adam Lundkvist said.

“So it’s a big game, and it comes at a really good point for us and then could be a real stepping stone going forward.”