MLS: Houston Dynamo, FC Dallas fail to capture public imagination

As Texas prepares for a new MLS team in Austin in the near future, is there something missing in FC Dallas and Houston Dynamo?

Looking at FC Dallas and Houston Dynamo fighting annually for an MLS result in the Texas Derby, the Guardian’s Tom Dart asked, why aren’t these teams more popular?

He notes that long-term poor performance isn’t a problem. Last year, FC Dallas finished fourth in the Western Conference. Houston Dynamo didn’t fare as well in MLS but won the U.S. Open Cup.

Venue also isn’t in question. FC Dallas plays in world-class Toyota Stadium, a 20,000-plus seat sports park that opened in 2005. The National Soccer Hall of Fame also moved into the location. Another 20,000-plus seat…