Remember the Dallas Burn? I do. It was early 1995 when all the buzz started about a new soccer league and how Dallas was going to get a team. The 1994 World Cup was still fresh on my mind, so I was excited to see what this new league would bring.
I remember that first season in 1996, the Dallas Burn were playing at the Cotton Bowl at the old State Fairgrounds. The pregame inauguration ceremony had Univision reporters at the time, Fernando Fiore and Sofía Vergara, mingling with the crowd and partaking in the festivities. I remember they had this one skill challenge where you had to kick the ball through a hole on a goal net. Many people were just knuckle balling it over the nearby buildings.
The next day, a buddy and I went back to collect these balls that had been kicked up on roofs. I’m sure we broke the law that day, but we walked away with at least 6 or 7 official MLS soccer balls. I attended every home match that season and my love for FC Dallas was born.
The time I stalked Jason Kreis
During that initial Dallas Burn season, I was working dispatch for the local cable company. A new work order came across my desk for a “Jason Kries”. I immediately recognized the name and dialed his home number right away. His wife answered and I went through my courtesy call procedure before asking to speak to Jason. She was a bit shocked, of course, but handed the phone over to Jason anyway. I got nervous. I asked if this was Dallas Burn Jason Kreis. He said yes but sounded very confused. How could I say that I was a fan of something that hadn’t started yet?
I explained that I had been following the news about our new team and that he was one of our star signings. I could hear his smile over the phone as he thanked me and how he was going to go out there and give it all on the pitch for the fans. Don’t really remember word for word but I do remember my nervous excitement. My friends still tease me to this day about stalking Jason Kreis.
The Great Hugo Sánchez needed an escort
In true fanatic fashion, I would attend Dallas Burn practice sessions. In the 90,000 seat Cotton Bowl, there were probably a handful of fanatics like me watching them practice on the daily. There were no security guards so after practice, I would just walk down to the field to meet the players.
On Hugo Sánchez’s first day, I pushed my luck and walked near the locker rooms. As I was approaching, he was coming out. His wife and kids were there. I was starstruck! I shook his hand and met his family, then he asked if I could show them how to get back to the parking lot. I proudly escorted him and his family through the gates and out to their car. I thought, “no one is going to believe me!”. We were so lucky to have him and witness his iconic backflips after each goal.
Fast forward 26 year
I have since moved up to Minnesota, but I still consider myself a loyal diehard of FC Dallas. I follow FC Dallas on Twitter, Facebook, IG, and their website so I am always up to date on all FCD news. I love that the National Soccer Hall of Fame decided to make our stadium their home as well. I love that we have one of the best academies in the country and give our kids more playing time than any other team in MLS.
It took a long time for the local team to make the jump to MLS, but I was thrilled when they finally did. This meant that I would be able to see my Hoops at least once a year. As a family, we try to visit Dallas as much as we can and if I can arrange our vacation to coordinate with a game in Frisco, then all the better. I know I will always be Dallas Till I Die and represent my love for the team anywhere and everywhere I go. GO HOOPS!