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Major League Soccer (MLS) revealed the home openers for all 24 clubs for its 24th season in 2019 – a year that will feature the highly-anticipated launch of an expansion club in the Midwest and opening of the league’s 20th stadium built for soccer, and culminate with the debut of MLS’ thrilling, single-elimination playoff format.
When the season opens on March 2, FC Cincinnati, the league’s 24th club, will play their first-ever MLS regular season game when they face Seattle Sounders FC at CenturyLink Field. In addition, 18 other clubs will begin their seasons that Saturday, including an Eastern Conference Semifinals rematch as Columbus Crew SC host the New York Red Bulls.
Opening weekend also is highlighted by an exciting Sunday doubleheader. On March 3, D.C. United get a visit from 2018 MLS Cup champions Atlanta United at Audi Field; and in the final game of the weekend, the Los Angeles Football Club — coming off a highly successful inaugural season — host Western Conference finalists Sporting Kansas City.
In Week 2 of the 2019 season, FC Cincinnati will be the visitors when reigning champions Atlanta United play their home opener at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, March 10. Coming three months after Atlanta United’s triumph at MLS Cup before more than 73,000 fans, the club’s home opener will be a night to remember.
The moment the impassioned soccer fans of Cincinnati have been waiting for arrives on Sunday, March 17 at Nippert Stadium, when FC Cincinnati play their first MLS home opener. The opponent is worthy of the historic moment: the 2018 MLS Cup finalist Portland Timbers.
The 2019 season also brings the opening of Allianz Field, the world-class stadium for Minnesota United FC, who already sold out all season tickets and have started a lengthy waiting list. Allianz Field, which becomes the 20th stadium built or renovated for soccer in MLS, will open on Saturday, April 13, when Minnesota United FC host New York City FC.
The reopening of Providence Park, which is undergoing a 4,000-seat expansion, will take place on Saturday, June 1, when the Portland Timbers have their home opener against LAFC.
During the 2019 MLS regular season, each club will play 34 games, including 17 home games and 17 away games. Teams will face each of their conference opponents twice during the season, with one game at home and one game away. All teams will face each non-conference opponent once.
The complete regular season schedule, along with the national television schedules for the U.S. and Canada, will be announced in January.
WEEK 1
Saturday, March 2, 2019
1 p.m. – Philadelphia Union vs. Toronto FC (Talen Energy Stadium)
2:30 p.m. – Orlando City SC vs. New York City FC (Orlando City Stadium)
4:30 p.m. – Columbus Crew SC vs. New York Red Bulls (MAPFRE Stadium)
4:30 p.m. – FC Dallas vs. New England Revolution (Toyota Stadium)
6 p.m. – Houston Dynamo vs. Real Salt Lake (BBVA Compass Stadium)
6 p.m. – Colorado Rapids vs. Portland Timbers (Dick’s Sporting Goods Park)
6 p.m. – Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Minnesota United FC (BC Place)
8 p.m. – LA Galaxy vs. Chicago Fire (Dignity Health Sports Park)
10 p.m. – Seattle Sounders FC vs. FC Cincinnati (CenturyLink Field)
10 p.m. – San Jose Earthquakes vs. Montreal Impact (Avaya Stadium)
Sunday, March 3, 2019
6 p.m. – D.C. United vs. Atlanta United (Audi Field)
8 p.m. – LAFC vs. Sporting Kansas City (Banc of California Stadium)
WEEK 2
Saturday, March 9, 2019
1 p.m. – Chicago Fire vs. Orlando City SC (SeatGeek Stadium)
2 p.m. – New England Revolution vs. Columbus Crew SC (Gillette Stadium)
6 p.m. – Real Salt Lake vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC (Rio Tinto Stadium)
Sunday, March 10, 2019
3 p.m. – New York City FC vs. D.C. United (Yankee Stadium)
3 p.m. – Sporting Kansas City vs. Philadelphia Union (Children’s Mercy Park)
5 p.m. – Atlanta United vs. FC Cincinnati (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
WEEK 3
Saturday, March 16, 2019
TBD – New York Red Bulls vs. San Jose Earthquakes (Red Bull Arena)
Sunday, March 17, 2019
1:30 p.m. – Toronto FC vs. New England Revolution (BMO Field)
5 p.m. – FC Cincinnati vs. Portland Timbers (Nippert Stadium)
ALSO…
Saturday, April 13, 2019
1 p.m. – Montreal Impact vs. Columbus Crew SC (Saputo Stadium)
5 p.m. – Minnesota United FC vs. NYCFC (Allianz Field)
Saturday, June 1, 2019
10:30 p.m. – Portland Timbers vs. LAFC (Providence Park)
