As the Portland Timbers head to Texas on Sunday for the second leg of the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs Western Conference Championship against FC Dallas (2pm PT, ESPN), they won’t be in Toyota Stadium alone. Just as they had traveling support in Vancouver, BC for the last round, Portland will be joined in Frisco by the Lone Star Brigade—the Timbers Army’s regional supporters group in Texas.
Including Timbers supporters from across the state, the Lone Star Brigade has been known to show up in force in Portland road matches in both Houston and Dallas. We reached out to Timbers supporter Bryant Ramirez-Fematt of the Lone Star Brigade to get a feel for an insider’s guide for visiting Timbers fans in Frisco.
Q: The Lone Star Brigade is perhaps one of the most vocal Timbers Army regional supporters groups out there. What makes you guys so amped for when Portland visits Texas?
“Those of us that live in-state don't get very many chances, if any, to watch a Timbers home game in person so we make the most of it 2-3 times a year. I think one of the main reasons the Lone Star Brigade is so amped is because we have so many groups within our one group. We have people that come from all over the Dallas-Ft.Worth area, Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Oklahoma—even Arkansas! Texas is a big state and we have an even bigger supporters group. The Army is one giant family and the Lone Star Brigade is our tight knit immediate family always looking forward to rooting for our boys in green and gold.
Like other distant regional groups, our job is to do our best to remind the players of a little bit of that home support when they're so far away from home. So like the team, we know we have to bring it even through 100+ degree weather in the summer time!”
Q: For fans visiting, where do you recommend heading out to for an afternoon ahead of the game?
“Since the stadium is located in the suburbs of Frisco, it's about 30-45 minutes away from the heart of Dallas. Visitors will definitely need a car if they want to explore Dallas then head to the game.
White Rock Lake is a great spot in Dallas to get some nature, walk a trail, and it has a great view of the city skyline.
If you're interested in getting lunch or snack in Dallas, Lower Greenville is the spot. Blind Butcher, Aw Shucks, and Cafe Brazil are great spots to grab a bite. Steel City Pops, a local gourmet popsicle joint and Mudsmith, a local place for coffee, tea, and juice are also great spots to check out.
If you're staying in Frisco the must-eat places are Babe's Chicken Dinner House and Rudy's BBQ next to the stadium. Sorry vegetarians, this is Texas. The Frisco town square across the street offers a great area to walk around.
Q: What are some popular Lone Star Brigade-friendly hangouts?
“The Staggering Irishman in Dallas has hosted our Dallas group for watch parties and it's a great soccer pub. They're an official FC Dallas supporters bar, but the owner and staff has always been great to us when we go.”
Q: What’s the feeling in the Lone Star Brigade on matchday at Toyota Stadium?
“It's always an incredibly welcoming and friendly environment from our group. We're always thrilled to see each other and without fail, always willing to help each other out to make it the best game day experience possible.”
