Major League Soccer’s 26th season will kick off on April 17, a week later than the original date following the ratification of a new collection bargaining agreement. Fans will soon watch their favorite players face each other on the road or right in their backyard.
This year, Major League Soccer will implement the concussion substitutes initiative that will allow clubs to have two more substitutes available for suspected head injuries.
With 34 games on the schedule, the Major League Soccer Heineken Rivalry Week continues to be a fan favorite ranging from El Tráfico to the New York Derby. A marquee matchup during the first weekend will be when reigning champion Columbus Crew SC hosts the Seattle Sounders FC in a rematch of the 2020 MLS Cup.
Other marquee matches in this year’s showcase include:
- LA Galaxy vs. San Jose Earthquakes (Aug. 20; 10 pm ET | ESPN, ESPN Deportes)
- Minnesota United vs. Sporting Kansas City (Aug. 21; 3:30 pm ET | ESPN, ESPN Deportes)
- Columbus Crew SC vs. Seattle Sounders FC (Aug. 21; 5:30 pm ET | FOX, FOX Deportes)
- New York Red Bulls vs. NYCFC (Aug. 21; 8 pm ET | FS1, FOX Deportes)
- Atlanta United vs. Nashville SC (August 27; 3:30 pm ET | Univision, TUDN)
- Columbus Crew SC vs. FC Cincinnati (Aug. 27; 6:30 pm ET | ESPN, ESPN Deportes)
- Orlando City SC vs. Inter Miami CF (Aug. 27; 8:30 pm ET | ESPN, ESPN Deportes)
- LAFC vs. LA Galaxy (Aug. 28; 8 pm ET | FOX, FOX Deportes)
- Austin FC vs. FC Dallas (Aug. 29; 8 pm ET | FS1, FOX Deportes)
- Seattle Sounders FC vs. Portland Timbers (Aug. 29; 10:30 pm ET | ESPN, ESPN Deportes)
Tournaments like the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, MLS All-Star game, Leagues Cup, and Campeones Cup will return late summer.
Austin FC is the new kids on the block this season as they become the 27th team to join the league for their inaugural season featuring players like Matt Besler, Nick Lima, Julio Cascante, and Danny Hosen.
Reigning MLS champions, Columbus Crew will open their new stadium – New Crew Stadium – on July 3rd when they host the New England Revolution. Austin FC and FC Cincinnati will open their new facilities in May and June, respectively.
Despite continuing to endure challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic – the league has returned to their “normal” schedule with teams playing conference rivals on both coasts. And not the regional-type format when play resumed following lockdown. Additionally, several clubs will now allow a limited fan capacity while still adhering to the COVID-19 guidelines corresponding with local governments.
The Vancouver Whitecaps, CF Montreal, and Toronto FC will again relocate to the United States for the season due to strict border crossing rules.
During a league-wide press conference earlier this year, MLS commissioner Don Garber stated, “We continue to work with our teams to engage with the Canadian authorities, and we’re going to abide by whatever rules are established by Health Canada.”
The Whitecaps will play out of Real Salt Lake’s home, Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah, after sharing a stadium with the Portland Timbers last season. Montreal is set to join Toronto in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and will be the second MLS team to do so.
With the ever-changing landscape of the league, there has been a notable roster rotation within the clubs. For example, USMNT star Bobby Wood will join Real Salt Lake on July 1st after completing his time with Bundesliga side, Hamburger SV.
Additionally, most clubs have taken a similar approach to Sporting Kansas City’s “Pathway to the Pros” initiative by adding young players from their academies to their rosters. Sporting KC currently has eleven academy products on their roster – the most in MLS.
After falling in the 2020 Concacaf Champions League Finals and finishing 7th place in the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Football Club is shaping up to be a tough opponent for their fourth year; now with the additions of South Korean international player, Kim Moon-Hwan and Corey Baird joining league-leaders Carlos Vela and Diego Rossi.
There is no doubt last year proved to be difficult for every facet of the game. And as more clubs begin to welcome back fans and continue to create jobs, I can’t help but feel optimistic for the 2021 season.
Written by: Araceli Villanueva
Araceli has created content for Sporting Kansas City, Sporting Kansas City II, Kansas City Comets, Major League Soccer, and SB Nation.
In her free time, Araceli enjoys traveling, rock climbing, visiting new establishments in Kansas City, and of course, watching soccer. Araceli has a Bachelor of Communications degree with an emphasis in Journalism and Mass Media at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.