Texas rivalry taken to greater heights
Battle for second in the conference adds to intensity of state matchup
Friday’s Texas Derby match between the Dynamo and FC Dallas at BBVA Compass Stadium has pomp and circumstance befitting the most meaningful games.
The pomp begins with Texas rapper Bun B playing a pregame concert and includes Houston native and Miami Heat guard Justise Winslow firing El Capitán, a major pregame ritual inside the stadium.
It continues with fans in the supporter section, who have bought 1,100 tickets, being encouraged to bring three streamers apiece to be thrown all at the same time.
As of Thursday afternoon, 1,000 tickets remained for the match in the stadium that seats 22,039.
The circumstances are as intriguing as they have been in four years. The Dynamo (7-6-3) and Dallas (6-3-6) are tied for second place in the MLS Western Conference. They’ve played one game this season with nothing separating them in a scoreless draw in Frisco.
That’s the point
Dynamo goalkeeper Tyler Deric said the details matter to the fans, but the players have one thing on their minds — taking all three points.
“Every game against Dallas has added intensity,” Deric said. “It’s the Texas rivalry. The standings and where we’re both at in the table is intriguing for the fans. In the position that we are at, we are going to out there and give everything.”
The rivalry lacked competitiveness from 2013-15, with FC Dallas dominating and securing El Capitán all three years. It took a turn for the better last season when the Dynamo won the opener 5-0 and locked up possession of the trophy with a 1-1 draw in Frisco.
The Dynamo proved last year was not a fluke by playing to that scoreless draw in Frisco on May 28. They had lost all six of their road games, so getting their first point away from home against their rival was a significant step under first-year coach Wilmer Cabrera.
That was the first of four consecutive quality performances home and away. Cabrera has said from the start it would take a while for the Dynamo to gel and to play well in his system. A victory Friday would put an exclamation point on a memorable first half.
“I like the mentality,” Cabrera said. “I like the approaches to the game, the way we are playing. I like that we are not making excuses. We are trying to get better. We know that we can get better, and we are working on that every week and every day.”
That the Dynamo get to play the second game of the series at home should give them a significant boost. They are 7-0-1 at BBVA Compass Stadium this season and lead the league with 2.88 goals per game.
Strong on the road
Cabrera, on the other hand, does not assume Friday night’s competition will be easier than it was in Frisco.
“It might be my perception, but I believe Dallas is as strong at home as on the road,” Cabrera said. “That doesn’t change for them, and that’s why they are one of the top teams in this league. They are very strong away, and they have been proving that and doing that for the last two and half years.”
Deric has learned over the years the rivalry involves more than the soccer teams.
It is about the city rivalry between Houston and Dallas. A graduate of Klein High School, Deric has seen the rivalry up close throughout its existence.
On Friday night, he once again will be a big part of it.
“I feel like I have a special relationship against Dallas,” Deric said. “It’s always a tough place to go play.
“It’s always a tough opponent when they come here and play against us. It is going to be an exciting match for both teams.”