MLS obviously feels like it has struck gold with the Seattle Sounders and is returning to the well at least one more time for First Kick. The league's season-opening game will be played at Qwest Field for the third straight year, this time on Tuesday, March 15 against the Los Angeles Galaxy.
MLS First Kick Goes To Seattle, Again, 10 Games In First Week
That game will kickstart the busiest week in league history, as a record 18 teams will play 10 games. The Sounders and Galaxy will each play twice in the first week with Seattle visiting the New York Red Bulls on March 19 and the Galaxy hosting the New England Revolution on March 20.
The league's two newest teams will open play on March 19. The Vancouver Whitecaps will begin their inaugural MLS season at home against Toronto FC, while the Portland Timbers will visit the defending MLS Cup champion Colorado Rapids. The Timbers will christen their newly refurbished home on April 14 against the Chicago Fire. Sporting Kansas City will unveil their new home on June 9, also against the Fire.
The Tuesday first kick is a first in league history, and seems to be engineered as a way to avoid going head-to-head on TV with the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, which opens play on March 16. MLS is currently in negotiations for a new TV contract with Fox Soccer Channel and is coming off a season with generally disappointing ratings.
Home openers
Tuesday, March 15
Seattle Sounders FC vs. LA Galaxy, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Saturday, March 19
Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Toronto FC, time TBD
D.C. United vs. Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m.
New York Red Bulls vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 7:30 p.m.
FC Dallas vs. Chicago Fire, 8:30 p.m.
Houston Dynamo vs. Philadelphia Union, 8:30pm
Colorado Rapids vs. Portland Timbers, 9 p.m.
Chivas USA vs. Sporting Kansas City, 10:30 p.m.
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Real Salt Lake, 10:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 20
LA Galaxy vs. New England Revolution, 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 26
Chicago Fire vs. Sporting Kansas City, 4 p.m.
Columbus Crew vs. New York Red Bulls, 4 p.m.
Philadelphia Union vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 4 p.m.
Toronto FC vs. Portland Timbers, TBD
New England Revolution vs. D.C. United, TBD
Real Salt Lake vs. LA Galaxy, 9 p.m.
Thursday, April 14
Portland Timbers vs. Chicago Fire, 11 p.m.
Thursday, June 9
Sporting Kansas City vs. Chicago Fire, time TBD
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