FRISCO, Texas (Friday, Dec. 20) – FC Dallas will be the first Major League Soccer team to travel to the United Arab Emirates to train and play exhibition games. FC Dallas will spend the first segment of its 2014 preseason in the United Arab Emirates when the club travels for two weeks to Abu Dhabi, UAE, in January and February 2014.

The preseason trip was facilitated through the cooperation and support of the United Arab Emirates Embassy in Washington, DC. "This is a great example of the continued growth of the dynamic relationship between both countries,” said Yousef Al Otaiba, ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the United States. “FC Dallas will be the first American professional soccer team to come to the UAE and they are a great organization to pioneer this effort."

Al Jazira Sports and Culture Club will host FC Dallas from Jan. 30 to Feb. 12. The team will travel on Emirates Airlines to and from the UAE. While in Abu Dhabi, the team will stay at the Al Jazira Sports Hotel and train at the Al Jazira SCC facility. FC Dallas is planning at least three friendly games during the trip, along with a special night for the American business community living and working in the UAE. The team will also make several community appearances during the trip.

“We are honored to be the first MLS team to spend our preseason in the UAE and believe this will be the beginning of a long-term relationship with the wonderful people of Abu Dhabi,” said Dan Hunt, vice president of Hunt Sports Group.

FC Dallas reports for 2014 preseason in late January and will spend the following weeks preparing for the 2014 season opener against Montreal, presented by AdvoCare and slated for March 8th at Toyota Stadium.