FC Dallas hosts Inter Miami, Lionel Messi at Cotton Bowl Stadium
DALLAS - Soccer fans braved the chilly weather Monday evening at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas to see one of the best players in the game.
FC Dallas hosted Inter Miami and star player, Lionel Messi, for a preseason match.
The team has not played at the Cotton Bowl since 2009. It was the original home for the football club back when it was called the Dallas Burn.
They played at the Cotton Bowl off and on starting in 1996 until they moved to their current home at Toyota Stadium in Frisco.
The gates opened at 3 p.m. Temperatures were in the 40s, and it was drizzling when the game began at 5 p.m.
More than 32,000 fans were at the Cotton Bowl Monday, and the majority stayed the whole game.
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People braved the cold just to see the main attraction in person.
"It’s emotional," said fan Oswald Molero. "He’s my superhero. My idol all of life since 8 years old."
Blankets and ponchos were available for sale as you walked in. But for the majority of the younger fans in the crowd, the 40-degree weather didn’t matter, like 14-year-old Claire Mennel.
"I’m a really big fan of FC Dallas. I like to watch soccer. So I’m excited," she said.
Meanwhile, Alex Garcia showed up with his girlfriend Cassidy to Monday’s game in shorts. The last time Miami was in town in August, the Messi magic sparked the couple’s love story.
"I recorded the free kick goal, and she was like, ‘Send me that.’ Six or seven months later, here we go," he said.
The overall consensus of the crowd: winter rain would never stop North Texans from supporting their team and getting a glimpse of one of the greatest.
"The last time FC Dallas played here at the Cotton Bowl, it was 2009. My son was born in 2009," said fan Lauryn Bevis. "So we are FC Dallas, and these idols are playing with Miami. It’s historic for my son. The excitement for him is worth it."
The last time Messi and Miami faced Dallas was in August. The match ended in a 4-4 draw before a dramatic penalty shootout gave the win to Miami.
FC Dallas fans are hoping for a redemption.