The San Jose Earthquakes and FC Dallas have had a peculiar rivalry – one built on sustained stretches of success and failure unlike many others. Dallas won seven of the first nine meetings between the two clubs from 1996 to 1998, three wins coming by way of shootout, to jump out to an early advantage in the series.
But as if someone flipped a switch, the Quakes went on a tear beginning in 2001, winning nine of the next 10. In fact, San Jose lost just twice to the Lone Star club from May 23, 2001 to June 6, 2009, a span of 20 games (11-2-7). The Earthquakes also dominated the matchup from 2011 to 2014, holding a 6-2-3 record in the 11 meetings.
FC Dallas has been the one calling the shots of late, with San Jose currently in the midst of a six-game winless streak against the team from Northeast Texas.
However, the 2016 season has given reason to believe the tide is beginning to turn in San Jose’s favor once again. The Quakes went into Frisco on April 9 and held two different leads en route to a 2-2 draw. They then held the league’s top offense without a goal in a scoreless draw at Avaya Stadium on May 28, despite missing a variety of the team’s leaders to injury and Copa America call-ups.
Friday night could prove to be the turning point in the rivalry. The Earthquakes will play in front of its home crowd at Avaya Stadium for the first time since that FC Dallas match on May 28 and currently hold an undefeated 5-0-3 record at the second-year venue.
