The defending U.S. Open Cup champion Seattle Sounders will take on Supporters Shield holders Los Angeles Galaxy in the opening match of the 2011 MLS season on March 15th.
Major League Soccer announced the home openers for all 18 teams, including the home debuts of the Vancouver Whitecaps (vs. Toronto FC on March 19th) and Portland Timbers (April 14th vs. Chicago).
The New York Red Bulls will open play at Red Bull Arena on March 19th against the Seattle Sounders. Sporting KC will open its new stadium on June 9th against the Chicago Fire.
Here is the rundown of home openers:
2011 MLS Home Openers
Tuesday, March 15
Seattle Sounders 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, time TBD
New England Revolution vs. D.C. United, time 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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What do you think of these matches? Which opener are you most looking forward to?
Share your thoughts below.
This is the first year two MLS teams from Portland and Seattle will play each other. If Seattle beats Portland, the record will be 1-0. That’s “instant”.
Maybe they’ll both wear their red jerseys and have a group hug.
I may just have to hop over the border for that one. Other than the Seattle and Portland matches at the Whitecaps, that has got to be their next biggest circle on the calendar.
Up Cascadia!
You did notice that the first game is at HOME didn’t you?
They opened the season with the Union last year.
Sounders and Timbers have played each other about 75 times.
Whitecaps and Sounders 111 times.
Give it a rest with “instant rivalry” and listen to people that started watching soccer sooner than 10 years ago.
Damn, if 35 years is an “instant rivalry” I’d hate to hear what you feel about the rest of MLS.
That’s what you said last year too Ryan. And as it turned out, Sounders actually turned it up a notch and played their best football second half of the season when they had 2 matches a week between OC, CCL, and league play. They’ll be fine.
Anyway, you should be more worried about United. That’s a real mess over there. At least you won’t have to worry about any extra matches for a while right?
RSL and Toronto are doing fine. What’s your point?
Or is it Portland Fire vs Chicago Fire? Never can tell which club they’re supporting.
Looking forward to seeing the Timbers’ first game as an MLS club.
Some of you guys need to do your homework a bit better on Colorado, at least, before spouting off. The attendance thing again, the stadium supposedly in the middle of nowhere…
You don’t know what you’re talking about.
Looking forward to trying to spoil the Crew’s home opener.
Oooh, Portland Timbers vs Chicago Timbers …
What whining 🙂 Yeah, I’m sure that’s what MLS had in mind.
Pssttt NY had a really good team and quite a successful year last season.
Son of a … stop giving us “first kick”. It guarantees a weekday match. Weekday match in Seattle = EPIC FAIL. The traffic is the only flaw Seattle has. Anybody need a ticket or two?
should read: Opening Day is “its own” excitement.
I can see it. Opening day is it’s on excitement. the Derby would overshadow it. Hopefully there will be some good build up to the seattle-portland-vancouver derbies.
Plus it gives the new guys time to work our their security issues before dealing with large away supporter crowds.
I think May and August/September are good times to schedule the home and away matches. Plenty of time for build up followed by the trash talking followed by build up again.
Outside of Germany and the bigger clubs of the UK it may be….
That will be a great game to watch, Seattle v La is always fun.
I love me some Sounders!!! And I say bring it. I’m not scared and neither are my boys!
Has Ronaldinho preordered tickets?
You would be correct sir.