FRISCO, Texas – FC Dallas players report to Pizza Hut Park for physicals Jan. 31, officially kicking off the defending Western Conference Champions’ 2011 quest for a return to MLS Cup.
The team will train twice each day beginning Tues., Feb. 1 with a morning session from 10 a.m. to noon, followed by an evening session from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. On Sunday, Feb. 20, the Dallas side will travel to Orlando, Fla., for its second consecutive appearance in the annual Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Three MLS clubs – FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo and Toronto FC – will participate in the tournament, along with Orlando City Soccer Club (USL PRO). FC Dallas will return from Orlando on Sunday, Feb. 27, before flying to Phoenix, Ariz., on Tuesday, March 1 where the club will train until Tuesday, March 8. While in Arizona, Dallas will face both the Montreal Impact and New York Red Bulls.
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As the reigning Western Conference Champions, FC Dallas earned its first trip to the MLS Cup in 2010 following a record-setting year that saw the club set MLS marks for its 19-game unbeaten streak and its 12-game road unbeaten streak. The Dallas side also tied the MLS mark for fewest losses in an MLS season with four, while the Dallas defense allowed the fewest goals against in club history with only 28 through 30 games. FC Dallas opens the 2011 campaign on its home field at PizzaHutPark on March 19 against Brimstone Cup rival Chicago Fire.
FC Dallas 2011 Preseason Schedule (all times CT):
Jan. 31: Players report to PizzaHutPark for physicals
Feb. 1 – Feb. 19: Training at PizzaHutPark
Feb. 8: Scrimmage vs. Houston Baptist (11 a.m. at PHP Complex Fields)
Feb. 11: Travel to Corpus Christi (train there)
Feb. 12: Exhibition game vs. Houston Dynamo (2 p.m.)
Feb. 15: Scrimmage vs. SMU (7:30 p.m. at PHP Complex Fields)
Feb. 20: Travel to Orlando, Fla.
Feb. 21: Scrimmage with Seattle Sounders FC (TBD)
Feb. 24-26: Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic
Feb. 27: Travel to Dallas
March 1: Travel to Phoenix, Ariz.
March 2: Game vs. Montreal Impact
March 7: Game vs. New York Red Bulls
March 8: Travel to Dallas
March 12: Charity Game vs. Chivas USA at Pizza Hut Park (7:30 p.m.)
March 13: Scrimmage with Central Arkansas (TBD)
March 19: Season opener vs. Chicago Fire at PizzaHutPark (7:30 p.m.)
