The 2011 FC Dallas season was the sixteenth season of the team's existence. They tied the franchise record for most points in the regular season & made the playoffs for the second consecutive year. The season was marked by their debut in the CONCACAF Champions League, where they finished third in their group, behind UNAM Pumas and Toronto FC. Also in the Champions League, they became the first American soccer club to defeat a Mexican team on Mexican soil (UNAM) in a meaningful competition.

On March 19, FC Dallas opened the 2011 Major League Soccer Season at Pizza Hut Park against Brimstone Cup rivals, Chicago Fire. After Chicago scored the opening goal of the match Milton Rodriguez found the net to tie the game at 1–1. Dallas were able to hold onto the tie after falling to 10 men after a Brek Shea red card. The following week the San Jose Earthquakes traveled to Dallas and took home a road win with 2 goals from the 2010 Golden Boot Winner Chris Wondolowski to defeat Dallas 0–2.

FC Dallas began April with the first road game of 2011 at Columbus. Coach Schellas Hyndman made several changes to the starting lineup including the first starts for Rubén Luna and new acquisition Fabian Castillo. In the 33' for the second time in the first three games Dallas would go down to 10 men after Jackson was given 2 yellow cards within 1 minute. Dallas was able to hold the 0–0 tie until Andres Mendoza was awarded a penalty which was converted in the 54'. Columbus finished off the game in the 90'+1 with a goal from Eddie Gaven.

...
Wikipedia