No color is better than the red that belongs to Football Club Dallas. Dallas has such an exciting team to watch, and it has caught the attention of soccer fans across North Texas throughout the years. Spending Saturday nights at the stadium provides experiences like no other. The fireworks, souvenirs, food, atmosphere and game always constitute as nights to remember.

I remember going to the Cotton Bowl for the first time when I was around 5 years old and the team’s name was still the Dallas Burn before it moved to Frisco in 2005. During this time the team wasn’t the team they are present day; though it wasn’t a winning season, there were still some standout players. Sometimes it was frustrating seeing the players lose more than half of their games, but at the same time I still enjoyed going out and watching my idols play. It was exciting going to the games because at that age I had recently started playing soccer, and I was really interested in the sport.

“The Hoops,” which is FC Dallas’ nickname, now play in Frisco at the Toyota Stadium. Former names included Pizza Hut Park and FC Dallas Stadium. I don’t think I’ve missed a season opener in the last 10 years. It feels like yesterday when I attended the August 2005 opener against the New York MetroStars. The stadium was full, though not quite to its total capacity, and the atmosphere was insane. The game was electrifying and ended in a 2-2 draw.

The foundation of the team has been made within its youth squads and reserves. Plano native Kellyn Acosta came up from the program in the 2012 season and has been a standout midfielder ever since. Back up goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez also came up from the academy teams as well. Both athletes have been key players for FC Dallas throughout the past years and have received immense love from the fans.    

The fanbase for FC Dallas, other wise known as “Dallas Beer Guardians” or “El Matador,” have been loyal to the boys since the beginning. I don’t think I’ll ever see myself supporting a team other than Dallas. Six years ago, the supporters created the tradition of putting a scarf around the statue of Lamar Hunt, the man who brought soccer to Dallas in 1996 when the team was given the chance join the Major League Soccer (MLS). The process involves a march up to the statue during every home MLS game and finalizes with a locally-known celebrity/athlete scarfing the statue.

My love for FC Dallas is a feeling that can’t be described in words because it’s a sentiment that can’t be replaced. Just being at Toyota Stadium with my red FCD jersey on brings me an immense amount of joy and chills down my spine. I burst out of my seat and jump with excitement with every beautiful goal the Hoops score.

The team brought overwhelming triumph to fans last season after winning the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup for the first time since 1997. The boys defeated New England Revolution 4-2 in the cup final at home in front of a sellout crowd. Overall, the team had an outstanding season last year. FC Dallas finished the regular season in first place which gave the team the Supporters Shield trophy for the first time in franchise history.

My team, my beloved club FC Dallas, thanks to the players I have something to love and cheer up about whenever I’m feeling down. My love and support is only growing more. I can’t wait until the day we become champions of the MLS. My life will be complete the day we win the league, and no matter where it’s held, I’ll always be there for the boys in red.