Sports stats



MLS Major League Soccer

MLS Newsstand - January 13, 2017

January 13, 2017 - Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release


1. StubHub Center: It's the Galaxy's world, Chargers will just play in it

By Kevin Baxter Los Angeles Times - January 12, 2017

Although the Chargers will call the StubHub Center home the next two seasons, Major League Soccer's Galaxy will remain the stadium's main tenant.

"The Galaxy is the main priority for StubHub Center," said Brendan Hannan, the director of communication for the facility. "The Chargers' NFL schedule will be built around the Galaxy schedule. The same will happen in terms of 2018."

The MLS schedule was to be released Thursday afternoon. Last season the team played few Sunday home games.

The Galaxy will be one of seven MLS teams to share its stadium with a professional football team next season although the StubHub Center is one of only two with a grass field; the other is BMO Field in Toronto.

The facility owned and managed by entertainment giant AEG, which also owns the Galaxy, has played host to CIF football playoff games as well as events such as the CrossFit Games, the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and ESPN's X Games. Because of the damage done to the turf by those events, the grass at StubHub has been frequently replaced.

Hannan said the condition of the playing surface will be closely monitored when the Chargers begin playing there this summer, more than halfway through the MLS season.

"It will be StubHub Center and AEG and the Galaxy's primary concerns to make sure that this remains the best field in Major League Soccer," he said. "In regards to football lines, we don't believe that there will be football lines for Galaxy games."

Capacity for StubHub Center soccer games is listed at 27,000. Hannan said that capacity will be expanded to 30,000 for the Chargers, as it was for previous MLS Cup finals. The Galaxy hasn't decided if it will make the extra seating available for regular-season MLS matches.

Scheduling conflicts could arise in November and December should the Galaxy reach the postseason, as it has done in each of the last eight seasons. The Galaxy would play as many as four postseason games at the StubHub Center and since home-field advantage in the MLS playoffs is determined by teams' regular-season record, when - or if - those games will be played in Carson may not be determined until 72 hours before game time.

The Seattle Sounders had their playoff schedule interrupted last year when a home date conflicted with the regular-season game of the Seattle Seahawks, the Sounders' roommates at CenturyLink Field.

"Those [dates] will be held as a priority for the Galaxy," Hannan said.

2. Galaxy to open, close MLS season with conference rival FC Dallas

By Kevin Baxter Los Angeles Times - January 12, 2017

The Galaxy will welcome expansion club Minnesota United to the StubHub Center and will also play home games against New York City FC, Montreal and MLS Cup finalists Seattle and Toronto, according to the 2017 scheduled released by the league Thursday.

The Galaxy will open and close against preseason MLS favorite FC Dallas, playing in the StubHub Center on March 4 before concluding the 34-game regular season in Texas on Oct. 22.

The Galaxy will play five Sunday home games this year but just one after the start of the NFL regular season in September. That scheduling footnote took on added importance earlier Thursday when it was announced the Galaxy would share their stadium with the San Diego Chargers for the next two seasons.

The Galaxy will play 16 games on Saturday - six home and six away - including a mid-August trip to Georgia to play first-year Atlanta United. The away schedule also features games against Orlando, Minnesota and the New York Red Bulls as well as a July game against San Jose at Stanford Stadium.

The Galaxy will play four weekday home games.

3. What to know about D.C. United's 2017 schedule

By Steven Goff Washington Post - January 12, 2017

A few weeks ago, D.C. United's first two matches of the 2017 regular season were announced. On Thursday, the full 34-game slate was unveiled.

Of note:

Four of the first five matches - and seven of the first 11 - are at home. United opens March 4 against Sporting Kansas City.

Between late May and late July, United will play eight of 11 on the road. The toughest stretch: July 1 at Montreal followed by July 4 at Dallas.

With United sticking to its stated plan to play all 2018 home matches at the Buzzard Point venue, RFK Stadium's regular season farewell is slated for Oct. 22 against the New York Red Bulls.

The other two matches with the archrival Red Bulls are April 15 and Sept. 27, both in Harrison, N.J. Fourteen of 17 home dates fall on Saturdays, almost all at night. The only Sunday afternoon game is the finale. Both Wednesday home dates are against expansion Atlanta. Four away matches fall on weekdays, including the visit to MLS Cup champion Seattle on July 19.

United will face Eastern Conference champion Toronto FC once at home and once away.

MLS has not scheduled matches during FIFA fixture windows on March 20-28, June 5-13, Aug. 28-Sept. 5 and Oct. 2-10. Additionally, the league will pause for the CONCACAF Gold Cup group stage July 7-16. That said, matches have been scheduled in the days immediately before and after those windows. Two of D.C. United's three meetings with expansion Atlanta United will come in Washington, with the lone trip April 30. D.C. United's lone match against expansion Minnesota United will take place July 29 in Minneapolis. (Aka The Uniteds Derby.)

United's single games against Western Conference foes are: at Vancouver, Dallas, Seattle, Minnesota, Colorado and Portland, and home against Kansas City, Los Angeles, Houston, Real Salt Lake and San Jose.

ESPN platforms will carry 31 matches - none, at the moment, involving D.C. United. The broadcast schedule for the last two weekends won't be finalized until late in the season in order to showcase playoff-bearing matches. Fox outlets will show 33 games - one involving DCU. Beneficiary: NewsChannel 8 and ABC7, which has the local contract.

ESPN will carry the MLS Cup rematch between Toronto and Seattle on May 6 at CenturyLink Field. MLS said it has reduced the number of matches starting early in the afternoon during the summer from 15 last year to nine this year. At least six will be played in Atlanta (indoors), Toronto, Portland, Minnesota, Montreal and Seattle.

On the second-to-last weekend of the season, all Eastern matches will kick off at 3 p.m. ET, all Western games at 5 p.m. ET. On the last weekend, all 11 will start simultaneously.

4. Two top hopefuls for MLS draft trace a bond back to D.C.-area elementary school

By Steven Goff Washington Post - January 12, 2017

CARSON, Calif. - Given their bond since grade school in the Washington suburbs, Jacori Hayes and Chris Odoi-Atsem would find it fitting to hear their names called in close proximity by MLS Commissioner Don Garber during the first round of Friday's draft.

They grew up 10 minutes apart, Hayes in Bowie and Odoi-Atsem in Mitchellville. They were classmates for six years at Holy Trinity Episcopal Day School, then four at DeMatha Catholic High School. They played club soccer together for a spell, too.

After going separate ways in college - Hayes to Wake Forest, Odoi-Atsem to Maryland - they trained in tandem back home in preparation for the scouting combine at StubHub Center this week.

When the combine closes, they'll join dozens of other draft hopefuls at Los Angeles Convention Center for the first two rounds of the four-stage draft.

A third D.C.-area player is expected to go in the top three: U.S. under-20 national team forward Jeremy Ebobisse, a Walter Johnson High School graduate who left Duke last summer. Hayes and Odoi-Atsem are likely to be among the first dozen selections.

Odoi-Atsem is "one of my best friends," said Hayes, a central midfielder who helped the Demon Deacons to the College Cup final last month. "It's pretty special to be here together."

Since the combine began Sunday, Odoi-Atsem's stock seems to have risen. Outside defenders are a delicacy in American soccer, and as a right back, he has been watched closely.

A four-year starter at an elite college program, Odoi-Atsem was already known in MLS circles. But the combine has offered an opportunity to bolster his profile.

Regardless of how early he is selected, he said, "It's about getting into the right system. If that comes later in the first round or even the second round, that's fine with me. If they give me a chance to make an impression, that's what I want most."

In the pre-combine performance tests, Odoi-Atsem and Connecticut defender Jakob Nerwinski finished in the top five in each category: speed, agility and power. Among some 75 players, the Maryland man was first in the power test, which gauges vertical leap (36.5 inches).

Odoi-Atsem began his college career at center back. After two seasons, Terrapins Coach Sasho Cirovski moved him to the corner.

"He said, for me going pro, the best opportunity is to move to the right," the two-time All-Met said. "It was a struggle at first, but as I kept playing the past two years, I really got a love for the position.

"Going from center back and not attacking at all to really being up and down the field the whole game, I really started to like it. As a right back, defense comes first. I know a lot of right backs who feel like they are an attacker first. I am a defender first."

Cirovski said he had recruited Odoi-Atsem as an outside back but, out of necessity, shifted him inside.

"He was so good, we couldn't keep him out that first year [as the Terrapins advanced to the national final] and a good part of his sophomore year," Cirovski said. "But I always knew he needed to be a right back."

When center backs Alex Crognale and Suli Dainkeh refined their games, Cirovski was comfortable pushing Odoi-Atsem out wide for good in 2015.

"He has the versatility to help a team at center back because he played there for two years," Cirovski said. "It has made him much more valuable."

Hayes, meanwhile, partnered with Hermann Trophy winner Ian Harkes in the heart of Wake Forest's attack and posted a career-high eight goals in 2016. Both were first-team all-Americans as the Demon Deacons won the Atlantic Coast Conference title and reached the College Cup final before falling to Stanford on penalty kicks.

As a former D.C. United academy player, Harkes is exempt from the draft and weighing the club's homegrown-contract offer. Hayes's focus was squarely on impressing scouts at the combine and putting to rest concerns about his size (5 feet 7 and 150 pounds). He compensates with grace on the ball and technical ability.

Hayes is also known for intelligence - both on and off the field. He majored in physics and carried a 3.76 grade-point average, earning him multiple national honors, including the CLASS Award, given to a senior in each sport who combines academics, athletics and community service.

Before diving into pro soccer careers, Hayes and Odoi-Atsem have had one last week to reflect on boyhood and college journeys.

In the final set of combine matches Thursday, they played against one another for the first time since their freshman seasons in 2013, a 4-3 Wake victory in College Park.

"I got the best of him that day," Hayes said. "It's still one of my favorite games in college. I still have the bragging rights."

5. Atlanta United's 2017 schedule released

By Doug Roberson Atlanta Journal-Constitution - January 12, 2017

Atlanta United's schedule for its inaugural MLS season was released by the league office Thursday.

The team will play 17 home games and 17 away, starting March 5 and ending Oct. 22. Fifteen games will be televised nationally. More games times and broadcast partners will be released later.

Atlanta United has signed 21 players and will have two selections in Friday's SuperDraft, which will be held in Los Angeles.

The team is coached by Gerardo Martino, formerly manager of Barcelona and Argentina's national team, and will play at Georgia Tech's Bobby Dodd Stadium before moving into Mercedes-Benz Stadium in late July. Atlanta United will train at its complex in Marietta.

First home game. The team will have two openers, one at Bobby Dodd Stadium on March 5 against New York Red Bulls and the other at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on July 30 against Orlando City. Both dates were previously announced.

Worst road trip. The first road game will be at fellow expansion-side Minnesota on March 12. That also was previously announced. A brutal road stretch starting March 31 includes games against four playoff teams, including MLS Cup finalists Seattle on March 31 and Toronto on April 8. The other games are at Montreal on April 15 and at Real Salt Lake on April 22.

Biggest home stretch. The longest stretch at Mercedes-Benz Stadium includes five consecutive games, starting against FC Dallas on Sept. 9 and concluding with Philadelphia on Sept. 27. Dallas should feature Lawrenceville's Walker Zimmerman. Other games include New England on Sept. 13, Orlando City on Sept. 16, Montreal on Sept. 23 and the Union on Sept. 27.

Disney duet. Atlanta United will play back-to-back games against Orlando, the team's presumed rival, on July 21 in Florida and on July 30 in the Mercedes-Benz opener. They will also host Orlando on Sept. 16.

The BIG home games. Atlanta United will host NYCFC on May 28, L.A. Galaxy on Aug. 19 and Toronto on Oct. 22.

The schedule

March 5, New York Red Bulls, 7 p.m. FS1

March 12, at Minnesota United, 5 p.m. ESPN2

March 18, Chicago Fire, 4 p.m. UniMas

March 31, at Seattle Sounders FC, 10 p.m. FS1

April 8, at Toronto FC

April 15, at Montreal Impact

April 22, at Real Salt Lake

April 30, D.C. United, 3 p.m. FS1

May 7, at New York City FC, 4 p.m. Univision

May 14, at Portland Timbers, 4 p.m. ESPN

May 20, Houston Dynamo, 7 p.m.

May 28, New York City FC, 5 p.m. ESPN

June 3, at Vancouver Whitecaps FC

June 10, at Chicago Fire, UniMas

June 17, Columbus Crew SC, 7 p.m.

June 21, at D.C. United

June 24, Colorado Rapids, 7 p.m.

July 1, at Columbus Crew SC

July 4, San Jose Earthquakes, 7 p.m.

July 21, at Orlando City SC, 7 p.m., ESPN

July 30, Orlando City SC, 4:30 p.m., Fox

Aug. 6, at Sporting Kansas City, 8 p.m., FS1

Aug. 13, Minnesota United, 6 p.m., ESPN2

Aug. 19, LA Galaxy, 4 p.m., ESPN

Aug. 23, at D.C. United

Aug. 26, at Philadelphia Union

Sept. 9, FC Dallas, 7 p.m.

Sept. 13, New England Revolution, 7 p.m.

Sept. 16, Orlando City SC, 4 p.m., Univision

Sept. 23, Montreal Impact, 7 p.m.

Sept. 27, Philadelphia Union, 7 p.m.

Sept. 30, at New England Revolution

Oct. 15, at New York Red Bulls

Oct. 22, Toronto FC, 7 p.m.

6. Minnesota United's inaugural MLS season schedule released

By Megan Ryan Minneapolis Start Tribune - January 12, 2017

With opening day just seven weeks away, Major League Soccer has finally revealed the regular season schedule for 2017 - Minnesota United FC's first in the top division.

As previously announced, United will partake in the overall season opener and its inaugural match when it travels to Portland to face the Timbers at 8:30 p.m. March 3. The match will air on FS1. Also announced already is United's home opener the next weekend when the Loons take on fellow expansion side Atlanta United FC at 4 p.m. March 12 at TCF Bank Stadium. ESPN2 will broadcast that match.

The Loons will close their regular home season Oct. 7 against Sporting KC and will play their last match of the season on the road at San Jose Earthquakes 3 p.m. Oct. 22.

Also of note, the league, for the first time, has not scheduled matches during the CONCACAF Gold Cup group stage July 7-17.

In addition to FS1 and ESPN2, TSN, ESPN, and TVA sports will also air some United games, while every match is available on subscription service MLSLIVE.

7. Five of United's first seven MLS games will be on the road

By Andy Greder St. Paul Pioneer Press - January 12, 2017

The schedule for Minnesota United's debut season in Major League Soccer was released Thursday, featuring these highlights:

- United will rekindle its budding rivalry with Sporting Kansas City on May 7 at TCF Bank Stadium and will travel to Sporting's gorgeous Children's Mercy Park for a game on June 3. Sporting will come back to Minneapolis on Oct. 7. These two teams faced off in sometimes heated matches in the U.S. Open Cup in 2014 and 2016.

- Five of United's opening seven games through mid-April will be on the road. That's good news for fans who won't have to bundle up for likely cold early-season matches at the club's temporary outdoor home field at TCF Bank Stadium on the campus of the University of Minnesota.

- New coach Adrian Heath will face his old team, Orlando City, at TCF Bank Stadium stadium on May 27. Heath brought Orlando City into MLS in 2015 and was fired midway through the 2016 season. He has said this game will be circled for him.

- The Loons will face the defending MLS champion Seattle Sounders twice within 15 days in August. United will play host to the Sounders on Aug. 5 and travel to CenturyLink Field, one of the greatest environments in MLS, on Aug. 20.

- United will play at defending Eastern Conference champion Toronto FC on May 13.

- As announced in December, United's MLS debut against the Portland Timbers is March 3 at Providence Park, and the Loons' home opener against fellow expansion franchise Atlanta United is March 12 at TCF Bank Stadium.

- United will travel to Atlanta on Aug. 13. Both games against Atlanta will be televised on ESPN2.

- The Loons will have eight total games on national TV, from ESPN, ESPN2 and FS1. All other games will be on MLS LIVE.

United will play in the 11-team Western Conference and will face each intra-conference foe two or three times, while facing most of the 11 teams in the East once.

8. Major League Soccer releases full 2017 regular-season schedule

By Matt Pentz Seattle Times - January 12, 2017

Major League Soccer released the full 2017 regular-season schedule on Thursday afternoon, and its highlights include an MLS Cup rematch between the defending champion Sounders and Toronto FC on May 6 at CenturyLink Field.

Seattle hosts rival Portland twice this season, on May 27 and Aug. 27, sandwiching a lone trip to Providence Park on June 25. The Sounders open Cascadia Cup play on April 14 at Vancouver, also traveling to BC Place on Aug. 23 before finally hosting the Whitecaps on Sept. 27.

The Sounders open the season on the road for the first time in its MLS Cup history due to renovations to CenturyLink Field - though we already knew that tidbit, thanks to the league's desire to wring every bit of news value out of its brief offseason. Seattle heads to Houston on March 4 and Montreal exactly one week later before its home opener on Sunday, March 19 against the New York Red Bulls.

Other notables: Seattle plays its first-ever match against expansion Atlanta United FC on March 31 at CenturyLink; the inaugural Minnesota United match is on the road, on Aug. 20; 12 of the club's matches are confirmed national TV games, including the aforementioned MLS Cup rematch and the home date with the Galaxy on April 23.

Teams face each of their conference opponents twice, home and away, and every club from the opposing conference once - plus three additional grab-bag games to push the total to 34.

9. 2017 Philadelphia Union schedule includes 5 games on national TV

By Jonathan Tannenwald Philadelphia Inquirer - January 12, 2017

Here's the Union's 2017 schedule.

The highlights:

- As was previously announced, the season begins March 5 at Vancouver, and the home opener is March 11 vs. Toronto.

- There are five games on national TV: four on ESPN (after having none last year) and one on Fox Sports 1.

- ESPN games include a Friday night contest, April 14 at home against New York City FC. ESPN will also televise the reigning MLS Cup champion Seattle Sounders' visit to Chester on Sunday, October 1.

- Three of the Union's first four games are on the road, including the first ever trip to Orlando's new stadium on March 18.

- Atlanta United, one of this year's two expansion teams, will visit on Saturday, August 26. The Union will play at the new Mercedez-Benz Stadium on Wednesday, September 27.

- The other expansion team, Minnesota United, will host the Union at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Saturday, September 9. That will be the only matchup between the teams this year.

Here's the full 2017 Union schedule:

Sunday, March 5: at Vancouver Whitecaps, 9:30 p.m. Saturday, March 11: vs. Toronto FC, 4:30 p.m. Saturday, March 18: at Orlando City, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 1: at D.C. United, 7 p.m. Saturday, April 8: vs. Portland Timbers, 7 p.m. Friday, April 14: vs. New York City FC, 7 p.m. (ESPN) Saturday, April 22: vs. Montreal Impact, time TBD Saturday, April 29: at Los Angeles Galaxy, 10:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 6: vs. New York Red Bulls, 7 p.m. Saturday, May 13: at D.C. United, 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 17: vs. Houston Dynamo, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 20: vs. Colorado Rapids, 7 p.m. Saturday, May 27: at Real Salt Lake, 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, June 3: at New York City FC, time TBD Sunday, June 18: vs. New York Red Bulls, 5 p.m. (ESPN) Saturday, June 24: vs. D.C. United, 7 p.m.

Sunday, July 2: vs. New England Revolution, time TBD (Fox Sports 1) Thursday, July 6: at Sporting Kansas City, 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 19: at Montreal Impact, time TBD Saturday, July 22: at Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 26: vs. Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 29: at New England Revolution, 7:30 p.m

Saturday, August 5: vs. FC Dallas, 7:00 p.m. Saturday, August 12: vs. Montreal Impact, time TBD Saturday, August 19: at San Jose Earthquakes, 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 23: at Toronto FC, time TBD Saturday, August 26: vs. Atlanta United, 7 p.m.

Saturday, September 9: at Minnesota United, 8 p.m. Sunday, September 7: at New York Red Bulls, 1:00 p.m. (ESPN) Saturday, September 23: vs. Chicago Fire, 7 p.m. Wednesday, September 27: at Atlanta United, 7 p.m.

Sunday, October 1: vs. Seattle Sounders, 1 p.m (ESPN) Sunday, October 15: at Chicago Fire, 3 p.m. Sunday, October 22: vs. Orlando City, 4 p.m.

Some national notes:

- For the second straight year, MLS will have simultaneous kickoffs on the last two weekends of the season. The penultimate round will be split by conference, with all Eastern Conference games at 3 p.m. Eastern and all Western Conference games at 5 p.m. On the final day, all games leaguewide will kick off at 4 p.m.

- National TV highlights include six games on Univision's flagship broadcast network and four on Fox's broadcast network. ESPN will air 28 games, ESPN2 will air three games, Fox Sports 1 will air 29 games (plus the All-Star Game) and UniMás will air 18 agmes.

- Fox's games are Orlando-Los Angeles on April 15, Seattle-Portland on May 27, New York Red Bulls-New York City FC on June 24, and Atlanta-Orlando (the first game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on July 30.

- Univision's games are Los Angeles-Dallas on March 4 (opening weekend), New York City-Atlanta on May 7, San Jose-Los Angeles on May 27 and July 1, Atlanta-Orlando on September 16, and Orlando-Dallas on September 30.

- Univision and UniMás will televise many games on Saturdays this year, instead of Fridays, as part of combined broadcast windows with Liga MX coverage.

- Top games on ESPN's slate include Orlando-New York City on March 5 (the first game in Orlando's new stadium), Minnesota-Atlanta on March 12 (Minnesota's home opener), Seattle-Toronto on May 6 (the MLS Cup final rematch), Portland-Atlanta on May 14, New York City-Seattle on June 17, Portland-Seattle on June 25, New York Red Bulls-New York City on August 25, and Montreal-Toronto on August 27.

- Top games on Fox Sports 1's slate include Portland-Minnesota on March 3 (the season's first game and Minnesota's MLS debut), Atlanta-New York Red Bulls on March 5 (Atlanta's MLS debut), Seattle-Atlanta on March 31, New York Red Bulls-Los Angeles on May 14, New York City-New York Red Bulls on August 6, Los Angeles-New York City on August 13, and Seattle-Portland on August 27.

- The "Rivalry Weekends" are June 23-25 and August 23-27. The last weekend of May isn't officially one of those, but it has quite a few big games.

- MLS wil go dark during the CONCACAF Gold Cup group stage, July 7-17.

10. Orlando City 2017 schedule released by MLS

By Alicia DelGallo Orlando Sentinel - January 12, 2017

Orlando City's full 2017 season schedule is out, revealed Thursday in a league-wide release by MLS.

The first two matches of the season - a home-opener against NYCFC in the new stadium March 5 and a road trip to New England March 11 - were announced last month.

The rest of the 34-game schedule includes traveling to Seattle and Portland on June 21 and Sept. 24, respectively, two cities the Lions did not visit last season.

Orlando CIty also will go to head coach Jason Kreis' former club, Real Salt Lake, June 30, which is one of four games that will be broadcast on ESPN. The others are the season opener, a home match against the New York Red Bulls April 9 and versus regional expansion rival Atlanta on June 21.

The Lions meet Atlanta three times during the year and its fellow 2017 expansion team, Minnesota United, led by former Orlando City coach Adrian Heath, once on the road May 27.

The schedule also includes four FIFA windows March 20-28; June 5-13; Aug. 28-Sept.5 and Oct. 2-10; as well as a Gold Cup break from July 7-16.

Orlando City is offering members of LionNation an exclusive two-hour window today to purchase a Five-Game Flex Pack, which includes a ticket to the season opener and four other select games. After the two-hour window, which will end at about 5 p.m., the Five-Game Flex Pack will go on sale to the general public.

Single-game tickets will go on sale to the general public on Feb. 21.

11. Portland Timbers announce schedule for 2017 MLS regular season

By Jamie Goldberg The Oregonian - January 12, 2017

The Portland Timbers have announced their schedule for the 2017 MLS regular season.

The Timbers are set to open their 2017 campaign at home against expansion side Minnesota United FC on Friday, March 3 at 6:30 p.m. PT.

Portland will face its Cascadia rivals, the Seattle Sounders and Vancouver Whitecaps, three teams each in 2017.

The Timbers will play their first match against rival Seattle on the road on Saturday, May 27 at 12 p.m. PT. They will then host the Sounders on June 25 at 1 p.m. and head back on the road to face Seattle one final time on August 27 at 6:30 p.m. All three games against Seattle will be broadcast on national television.

In total, the Timbers will have at least 14 games broadcast on national television

Portland will host Vancouver on April 22 before traveling to play the Whitecaps on July 23 at 3 p.m. For the second year in a row, Portland will close out the season against Vancouver, hosting the Whitecaps in a match on October 22 at 1 p.m. The Timbers will finish the regular season with consecutive home matches for the first time in their MLS era.

The Timbers will play 11 games against Eastern Conference opponents in 2017, starting with a match against the Columbus Crew on the road on March 25 at 4:30 p.m. Along with facing Minnesota United twice in 2017, the Timbers will host the league's other expansion side, Atlanta United FC, on May 14 at 1 p.m.

Fans will be able to purchase single-game tickets for the first half of the season (through June 10) on www.timbers.com or by calling (888) 736-6849 beginning Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 10 a.m. PT. Timbers Annual Members, members of the Timbers Annual Member Waiting List, Thorns FC Annual Members and corporate partners will be able to purchase presale tickets on Tuesday, Feb. 14. Single-game tickets for the second half of the season will go on sale in late May.

12. Sporting Kansas City releases full 2017 MLS schedule

By Sam McDowell Kansas City Star - January 12, 2017

Sporting Kansas City will kick off its 34-game schedule in 2017 with a trip to D.C. United on March 4 before returning to Children's Mercy Park for its home opener against FC Dallas on March 11.

Major League Soccer released the full team schedules Thursday.

Sporting KC is set to face Western Conference opponents FC Dallas, Real Salt Lake and expansion club Minnesota United three times each. It will match up with the rest of the Western Conference teams twice and play each team in the East just once.

Single-game tickets will go on sale to the general public on Feb. 1 at SeatGeek.com.

The regular season concludes with the annual MLS Decision Day on Oct. 22, when Sporting KC makes a trip to rival Real Salt Lake.

Sporting KC will play four home Sunday games, six fewer than last season. It has 10 Saturday home matches.

The schedule will feature the long-awaited returns of a pair of former Sporting KC staples. New England forward Kei Kamara is set to play in Children's Mercy Park as an opponent for the first time on Sept. 16. New York Red Bulls defender Aurelien Collin - the 2013 MLS Cup most valuable player - will return on May 3.

Nine Sporting KC matches will be nationally-televised - four on ESPN, four on Fox Sports 1 and one on UniMas. The remainder of the matches will be broadcasted locally on Fox Sports Kansas City, which is entering the first year of a partnership with the club.

MLS will break for the Gold Cup group stage in July, though the league will continue to play during World Cup qualifying matches in March and June.

MLS SuperDraft set for Friday

Sporting KC owns just one pick on the opening day of the MLS SuperDraft, set for Friday in Los Angeles.

Barring any pre-draft movement - in which Sporting KC has often participated - the club will pick 14th in the first round.

Only the first two rounds will take place Friday. The final two rounds will be conducted via conference call Tuesday.

Asked last week if the team planned to stay at No. 14, Sporting KC coach Vermes replied, "It's too early to say what's going to take place. There's always a lot of movement around the draft. We'll have to make those determinations almost on the floor."

Sporting KC traded its second-round choice to Houston last offseason in exchange for midfielder Brad Davis. It will pick 58th overall in the third round next week.

Sporting KC will travel to Tucson, Ariz., for its preseason on Jan. 24.

13. Colorado Rapids 2017 schedule released

By Daniel Boniface Denver Post - January 12, 2017

Major League Soccer on Thursday released its full 2017 schedule.

As previously announced, the Rapids will open at home against New England Revolution on March 4, and will face New York Red Bulls in their first road match on March 11.

The Rapids have five nationally-televised matches scheduled, with the other 29 to air on Altitude.

Colorado will gets its first look at expansion side Minnesota United FC in a March 18 home match, and will travel to the Twin Cities on April 23. The Rapids then travel to Georgia for their first-ever match against expansion Atlanta United FC on June 24.

For the 22nd consecutive time, the Rapids will play on the Fourth of July, this time against defending MLS Cup champions Seattle Sounders FC. It's the second straight year they will face the defending champs on July 4.

Colorado will face three Western Conference foes three times - Dallas, Vancouver and Real Salt Lake - and the other seven Western Conference teams twice each. The Rapids face each Eastern Conference team once, five at home and six on the road.

The Rapids schedule includes six midweek games. MLS will take a break from July 7-16 for the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Additionally, the Rapids will play in the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and the CONCACAF Champions League, but those matches have not yet been announced.

14. Real Salt Lake's 2017 regular-season schedule unveiled

By Christopher Kamrani Salt Lake Tribune - January 12, 2017

Consider the next eight months booked solid.

On Thursday, Major League Soccer announced the upcoming 2017 regular-season schedule for all 22 clubs seven weeks before each team kick off their respective campaigns the first weekend of March.

So if you're a Real Salt Lake supporter, start scouring the internet for potential away trip bargains or make sure you're free of any responsibilities for the upcoming 17 home matches at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy. The scheduling format, despite the injection of expansion franchises Atlanta United and Minnesota United, will not change in 2017.

Each club will face conference foes no less than two times and no more than three this season, while facing the 11 teams from the opposing conference just once. RSL faces Western Conference rivals L.A. Galaxy, Colorado Rapids and Sporting Kansas City three times in 2017.

After opening the season at home against Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley and defending Eastern Conference champions Toronto FC on March 4, RSL also plays host to East clubs Atlanta United (April 22), New York City FC (May 17), Philadelphia Union (May 27), Orlando City (June 30) and Columbus Crew (July 29). RSL treks East at Chicago Fire (March 11), New York Red Bulls (March 25), New England Revolution (May 13), D.C. United (Aug. 12) and Montreal Impact (Aug. 19).

An early date to circle on the calendar? Saturday, May 6, when longtime RSL star Javier Morales returns to Rio Tinto Stadium with his new club, FC Dallas. Former RSL boss Jason Kreis makes his second return to Sandy since leaving three years ago, this time with Orlando City on June 30. That match is currently the team's lone nationally-televised match - set for ESPN - in 2017. It's ESPN's first visit to Utah since Nov. 2013.

RSL's first meeting with the reigning MLS Cup champion Seattle Sounders comes on Saturday, May 20, at CenturyLink Field in downtown Seattle. The Sounders don't make a visit to the Wasatch Front until Sept. 23.

RSL's first-ever meeting with new Western Conference franchise Minnesota United comes early in the schedule, with RSL making a trip to Minneapolis on Saturday, April 1, in the fifth game of 2017. Minnesota comes to Rio Tinto Stadium on June 17. The schedule has RSL booked for three-game weeks just three times in 2017: May 13-20, May 27-June 3 and Aug. 19-26.

15. MLS schedule released: 9 can't-miss home games for Real Salt Lake fans

By Aaron Morton Deseret News - January 12, 2017

Real Salt Lake's 2017 schedule was released Thursday, and it has an extra helping of rivals.

While playing Eastern Conference teams once (six at home, five on the road), RSL will play each Western Conference team home and away - with the notable exceptions of LA Galaxy, Sporting Kansas City and Colorado Rapids.

Those three are arguably RSL's biggest rivals.

RSL will play 34 games total, with 17 at Rio Tinto Stadium.

Here are the nine can't-miss home games for the 2017 season for RSL fans.

March 4 - vs. Toronto FC, 2:30 p.m.

RSL opens against MLS Cup finalist TFC. Former RSL president Bill Manning's team will try to end Real's undefeated record in home openers (six wins, six draws).

March 18 - vs. LA Galaxy, 7:30 p.m.

RSL's recent playoff tormentors will be a good measuring stick to see how the team is shaping up.

April 22 - vs. Atlanta United FC, 7:30 p.m.

June 17 - vs. Minnesota United FC, 8 p.m.

This is Utah soccer fans' first chance to see the expansion teams.

May 4 - vs. FC Dallas, 7:30 p.m.

Javier Morales returns to Rio Tinto for the first time after 10 years wearing Claret and Cobalt.

June 30 - vs. Orlando City SC, 7:30 p.m.

Former RSL player and coach Jason Kries will lead his new team, Orlando, into Rio Tinto for the first time.

July 22 - vs. Sporting Kansas City, 8 p.m.

Enjoy this Pioneer Day weekend matchup with one of RSL's most hated rivals.

Aug. 26 - vs. Colorado Rapids, 8 p.m.

The second Rocky Mountain Cup game will be the only one in Utah this season.

Oct. 22 - vs. Sporting Kansas City, 2 p.m.

Unlike last season, the final game of the regular season will take place on home soil.

16. Thierjung could realize dream at MLS Superdraft

By Damian Calhoun LA Daily News - January 12, 2017

Christian Thierjung had the dream early in life of becoming a professional soccer player.

Friday, the dream could finally become a reality.

Thierjung, who is originally from Dove Canyon and attended Santa Margarita High, played four years at Cal.

"I was an only child and soccer always interested me," he said. "I loved running around and I loved touching the ball. It's been my lifelong dream.

"I've been playing since I was 5 years old and I feel like I've been training my whole life for this moment."

In several mock drafts, Thierjung has been predicted to hear his name called sometime during the MLS SuperDraft at noon at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

The draft is only two rounds Friday.

Thierjung played one season of high school for Santa Margarita under coach Wade Fraser. He was the leading scorer his first year. He then moved to an academy system playing for Strikers FC.

At Cal, Thierjung blossomed into an attacking midfielder. During his last three years at Cal, he scored 25 goals with seven assists.

"Under (Cal coach) Kevin Grimes, as soon as you step on the field my freshman year, I had a lot of confidence," Thierjung said. "Thanks to him and the staff, I think I was able to develop my game on both sides of the ball."

He believes he can continue being a sparkplug for any teams that selects him Friday.

"I believe my best position is outside midfield and winger," he said. "Throughout my college years, I played several positions. I feel like I'm a very versatile player that can play numerous positions, which I believe will benefit me at the next level.

Thierjung said he patterns his game after Landon Donovan.

"I've always been a fan of him, watching LA Galaxy play," he said. "I really liked the way he plays."

Another SoCal native hoping to hear his name called is UCSB forward Nick DePuy, who is originally from Irvine and attended Mater Dei High for one year before moving to Colorado.

"It has always been a dream of mine to go professional," he said. "This has always been a hobby of mine, but once my sophomore and junior year hit, I was like this could really happen and my dream is really going to come true."

DePuy scored 25 goals combined during his sophomore and junior seasons.

For the Galaxy, Friday figures to be quiet since they don't own a first-round pick. The Galaxy traded their first-round pick to Colorado in exchange for the rights to Jermaine Jones.

The Galaxy has only a fourth-round pick (No. 81). The third and fourth rounds of the draft will take place next week via conference call.

Minnesota United FC has the first overall pick. Duke forward Jeremy Ebobisse is at the top of everyone's draft board and expected to go first.

17. Breaking down the 2017 FC Dallas schedule

By Buzz Carrick Dallas Morning News - January 12, 2017

Major League Soccer has released the 2017 Regular Season Schedule for FC Dallas and the rest of the league. Here's a look at some of the highlights of the schedule.

US Open Cup play begins for MLS teams on June 14th.

FC Dallas plays in the Quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup versus Árabe Unido on Thursday, February 23rd (7 PM), and Wednesday, March 1 (7 PM). The 2nd game a mere 3 days before the 2017 opener.

2017-18 CONCACAF Champions League begins in August 2017.

MLS is playing during the international windows, which means FC Dallas could lose players to National Teams on June 10 and Sept 2.

There is a break for the 2017 Gold Cup group sage July 7 through July 17.

Open Game: at LA Galaxy, Saturday, March 4 - 3 PM on Univision

Home Opener: vs New England Revolution, Saturday, March 18 - 7 PM

FC Dallas plays Western Teams twice, a few of them three times (Sporting, Houston, and Colorado), and each Eastern Conference team once. It looks like FC Dallas is playing the "close" West teams 3 times.

One Game only vs Eastern Conference Teams

Home: New England Revolution, New York City FC, Toronto FC, DC United, New York Red Bulls, Away: Chicago Fire, Montreal Impact, Philadelphia Union, Columbus Crew, Atlanta United FC, Orlando City SC

First Meeting with the new expansion teams:

Minnesota United FC (aka the Loons) at home, Saturday April 8 - 7 PM

Atlanta United FC (aka too many Uniteds) away, Saturday September 9 - 6 PM

Days of the Week 1 games on Tuesday 3 games on Wednesday 2 Games on Friday 24 games on Saturday 3 games on Sunday

By Month March: 3 games, 2 road, 1 home April: 5 games, 2 road, 3 home May: 5 games, 2 road, 3 home June: 4 games, 3 road, 1 home (that's ok, it's hot.) July: 4 games, 1 road, 3 home August: 5 games, 3 road, 2 home September: 6 games, 3 road, 3 home October: 2 games, 1 road, 1 home

TV Univision: 2 games (including season kickoff match for Univision) Unimas: 4 games FS1: 2 games ESPN: 0 games (31 games on ESPN and no FC Dallas... hum...) Local TV: To Be Announced closer to the start of the season

[Note national FC Dallas games in previous years: 2016: 1 ESPN, 1 FS1, and 2 Unimas games 2015: 9 Unimas/Univision, 4 FS1, 1 ESPN2 2014: 3 NBCSN, 2 Unimas, 1 ESPN2]

Home Game Start Times 3 PM: 1 game- LA Galaxy on Sunday, October 22 - 3 PM "Decision Day" TBD: 2 games in July... Yuk. Better not be daytime kickoffs! 7 PM: 11 games 7:30 PM: 1 game, DC United, July 4. Fireworks!! 8 PM: 2 games, both on Unimas Wed, Aug 23 (Houston) and Sat, Sept 2 (NYRB)

Games of Note El Capitán, a.k.a. the Texas Derby, vs Houston Dynamo, 3 games. MLS Heineken Rivalry Weeks Home, Sunday, May 28 - 7 PM on FS1 Away, Friday, June 23 - 8 PM on Unimas Home, Wednesday, August 23 - 8 PM on Unimas Brimstone Cup vs Chicago Fire, just 1 game on Wednesday, May 31 (7:30 PM), at Chicago. No home game for FC Dallas unless something happens in US Open Cup play, MLS Cup Playoffs.

FC Dallas opens and closes against the LA Galaxy... I'm not sure why the league seems to be pushing these two teams at each other. If memory serves is seems like FC Dallas finishes against LA almost every year.

Playing the champs, Seattle Sounders, late in the season. Saturday, September 16, at home and Sunday, October 15, on the road.

FC Dallas gets to visit Atlanta United's new state-of-the-art downtown sports and entertainment venue, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, as well as Or Orlando City's new downtown stadium.

Only 4 short'ish game turnarounds... 2 to 3 days... May 28 and 31: Houston home, Chicago Away July 1 to 4: Toronto home, DC United home August 19 to 23 to 26: Sporting KC away, Houston home, Columbus away September 23 to 27 to 30: Minnesota away, Colorado home, Orlando City away

18. Dynamo 2017 schedule heavy on early home games

By Corey Roepken Houston Chronicle - January 12, 2017

Local soccer fans will have ample opportunities this spring to see with their own eyes whether the 2017 version of the Dynamo has what it takes to contend for the playoffs.

Seven of the club's first 10 games are at BBVA Compass Stadium, the MLS revealed in its full schedule release Thursday afternoon.

The league already announced each club's home openers, which revealed the Dynamo will begin the season against reigning MLS Cup champion Seattle Sounders FC on March 4 at BBVA Compass Stadium.

The Dynamo's second game also will be at home. They will take on Columbus Crew SC on March 11.

New coach Wilmer Cabrera said he is encouraged that the team has so many home games early in the season. It gives the Dynamo a chance to set a positive tone.

"How we start can define how we're going to go throughout the rest of the season, how comfortable or how uncomfortable we're going to be," Cabrera said. "The first goal we have in front of us is those first 10 games."

The Texas Derby between the Dynamo and FC Dallas will feature three regular season meetings. The first game is May 28 in Frisco and will be televised on Fox Sports 1. The second game is June 23 in Houston and the third game on Aug. 23 in Frisco.

19. Dynamo have No. 4 overall pick in Friday's MLS SuperDraft

By Corey Roepken Houston Chronicle - January 12, 2017

The Dynamo are hard at work this week in Los Angeles scouting and interviewing college prospects with the hope of finding one who can contribute at the professional level.

Whoever the Dynamo select with the No. 4 overall pick in Friday's MLS SuperDraft, however, do not expect to see great things soon, and maybe not at all in 2017. That is rarely how it works.

American sports fans have been spoiled by immediate contributions from NFL and NBA rookies. For several reasons, MLS is more like MLB where each team sends their drafted players through the heavy infrastructure of the minor leagues.

MLS clubs have Homegrown Players they can sign because those players trained in their academies, meaning some of the best young talent is not even available in the draft. Salary budgets have grown, allowing clubs to sign more expensive international players.

There is some great talent in this year's SuperDraft, but it is unlikely any of them will be in any team's starting XI on opening day.

"Any player who is taken, you hope they show enough to make the first team roster, but the beauty is we also have a USL team," Dynamo VP/GM Matt Jordan said. "That has proven to be a great spot for players to cut their teeth and learn what it takes to be a pro. You see a lot of other teams doing that now, too."

The first two rounds are Friday at the Los Angeles Convention Center and the third and fourth rounds Tuesday via conference call.

Houston has the No. 4 overall pick and two second-round picks - 30th and 36th overall. The Dynamo's biggest needs are a central midfielder and depth at fullback, especially if they reach a deal with veteran left back DaMarcus Beasley.

Two of four mock drafts by respected soccer outlets have the Dynamo picking UCLA sophomore attacking midfielder Jackson Yueill, a member of the United States U-20 national team.

Jordan refused to mention specific players, though he did say he has 'received a lot of inquiries' from other clubs wishing to trade for the No. 4 pick.

If the Dynamo do trade away their first pick they are even less likely to draft a player who will make the first-team roster. Anybody they pick in the second round almost definitely will be done so with the intent of adding to the roster of USL affiliate Rio Grande Valley FC.

"The reality is there are a lot of players at different stages in their careers," Jordan said. "Whether you're the No. 1 pick or the No. 50 pick there is a process involved as you transfer to the professional level."

20. Gomez Sanchez seeks to be first Temple player ever selected in MLS draft

By Jonathan Tannenwald Philadelphia Inquirer - January 12, 2017

LOS ANGELES - Although Temple isn't too well known on the college soccer landscape, Jorge Gomez Sánchez's statistics are simply too good to ignore.

In just two years on North Broad Street, the Spaniard tallied 27 goals and eight assists in 36 games. That earned him a trip to Major League Soccer's scouting combine, the official prelude to Friday's draft.

His journey to this point has been unconventional. After playing in the academy of Spanish La Liga club Osasuna, he enrolled at Madrid's Universidad Europea. While studying there and playing for Spanish third-division team La Roda, he was scouted by an agency that places European athletes at American colleges.

Temple seemed a good fit, so Owls coach David MacWilliams went to Spain to visit him. Their meeting sealed the deal.

"From the first moment I talked to [MacWilliams], I knew it was a great opportunity," Gomez Sánchez said. "I love being there, and it [would] mean a lot to represent my college in MLS."

The Union have scouted Gomez Sánchez plenty, including some training sessions with the senior team.

"We saw him against pros, and he more than held his own," manager Jim Curtin said. "You can tell he's a very intelligent soccer player who has a real knack for the goal."

There are also questions that need answering. One is what position Gomez Sánchez would play in the pros. MacWilliams used him as a forward, but at 5-foot-8, he's too small to be a pure striker in MLS.

"MLS is looking for that big, athletic No. 9 [striker]," MacWilliams said. "I think maybe a No. 10 [midfielder role] would work out."

There are also doubts about the caliber of competition Gomez Sánchez faced at Temple.

"Just because you scored a lot of goals in college doesn't necessarily always translate to goals at the next level," an executive with one MLS team said. That sentiment was echoed by other observers around the combine.

Just like in football and basketball, the American Athletic Conference is a notch below college soccer's power conferences. But it has produced quality MLS attackers in recent years. Connecticut's Cyle Larin (Orlando) was the No. 1 draft pick in 2015, and has scored 32 goals in 61 games since then. South Florida's Dom Dwyer (Kansas City) scored 49 goals in 92 games over the last three seasons.

The consensus is that Gomez Sánchez will hear his name called Friday. That would be history by itself, as no Temple player has ever been picked in the MLS draft.

Only two Temple products have ever reached MLS, and both did so by other means. One was J.T. Noone, who was signed by the Union from the third-division Harrisburg City Islanders in 2010. The other was Tony Donatelli, who had a preseason trial with the San Jose Earthquakes in 2011 after five strong years in lower leagues.

Donatelli was also picked in the 2006 supplemental draft by Houston, but wasn't offered a contract. The same fate befell goalkeeper Patrick Hannigan with the New York/New Jersey MetroStars (now the Red Bulls) in 2005.

21. Sporting Kansas City signs defensive midfielder Ilie Sanchez

By Sam McDowell Kansas City Star - January 12, 2017

As the final days of the offseason draw near, Sporting Kansas City addressed the center of its formation for the first time.

The club on Friday signed Spanish defensive midfielder Ilie Sanchez to a two-year contract with an option for the 2019 season. He will fill an international spot on the Sporting KC roster, pending receipt of his international transfer certificate and P1 visa.

Sanchez, 26, has played eight years professionally in Spain and Germany. He spent his youth days in FC Barcelona's LA Masia academy in his hometown before moving on to Barcelona B, where he appeared in 114 games. He most recently was on loan to Spanish club Elche CF, which plays in the country's second division.

Sporting KC coach Peter Vermes said, "Ilie is a player we have been interested in and followed for a long time."

Sanchez (5-11, 170) will be expected to compete for a starting role in the defensive midfield, a position occupied mostly by Soni Mustivar over the past two seasons. Mustivar has started 44 games in that time frame. He remains on the roster.

After Sporting KC allocated the majority of its offseason resources toward improving the offense, Sanchez is the first midfield addition to the roster. Specifically, the club has addressed the wings, adding designated player Gerso Fernandes and 20-year-old Ghanaian Latif Blessing, along with former United Soccer League players Cameron Iwasa and Christian Volesky.

But during the offseason, Vermes has reiterated a desire to improve all three lines - offense, midfield and defense - ahead of the 2017 season in March. The depth in the Sporting KC midfield became a top priority after the attacking additions last month. Sporting KC let go of a handful of players in the midfield earlier this offseason, and veteran Paulo Nagamura retired in December to pursue a coaching career.

22. MLS schedule release: TFC-Seattle rematch set for May 6

The Canadian Press - January 12, 2017

Toronto FC will have to wait until May to get a chance to avenge its loss in the MLS Cup.

Major League Soccer released its full 2017 schedule Wednesday, and one of the highlights is a match between Toronto and Sounders FC on May 6 in Seattle.

The Sounders beat Toronto 5-4 on penalty kicks in the Cup final Dec. 10 at BMO Field. The teams battled to a 0-0 score after regulation and extra time despite Seattle not getting a shot on target and Toronto having several scoring chances thwarted by goalkeeper Stefan Frei.

MLS also highlighted a number of "Rivalry Week" matches, including a game Aug. 27 in Montreal between the Impact and Toronto. The two teams faced each other in the 2016 Eastern Conference final, with Toronto emerging with a 7-5 aggregate win over two games.

The Vancouver Whitecaps visit Seattle in an Aug. 23 "Rivalry Week" match as part of the Cascadia Cup, the trophy awarded annually to the team with the best record in MLS matches between the Whitecaps, Sounders and Portland Timbers.

The home openers for all 22 teams were announced last month.

Toronto and Montreal open on the road March 4 against Real Salt Lake and San Jose, respectively, while the Vancouver host the Philadelphia Union on March 5 at B.C. Place Stadium to wrap up the opening weekend.

Toronto won't play at home until March 31, Week 5 of the schedule, when Sporting Kansas City comes to BMO Field. But Toronto gets a bye week before its opener, so the club will open with a reasonable three-game road trip, including a date in Vancouver on March 18.

Due to renovations to BMO Field, Toronto played the first eight games of both the 2015 and 2016 seasons away from home.

Montreal opens at home March 11 against the champion Sounders at Olympic Stadium.

Vancouver's regular-season kickoff comes three days after the Whitecaps entertain the New York Red Bulls in the return leg of their CONCACAF Champions League quarter-final.

In other matches, expansion team Minnesota United and the Timbers will kick off the season March 3 in Portland.

Atlanta United, the second expansion team, makes its league debut at home March 5 against the New York Red Bulls at Georgia Tech's Bobby Dodd Stadium. Atlanta will move into its new Mercedes-Benz Stadium home later in the season.

Seattle opens its title defence March 4 in Houston.

Each club will play 17 home and 17 away games. The 2017 campaign has a record 374 matches thanks to the addition of Atlanta and Minnesota. The regular season will conclude Oct. 22.

The 2017 MLS schedule will include a break for the CONCACAF Gold Cup group-stage matches, which will be played from July 7 through July 17.

23. MLS releases full 2017 schedule, including break in July for Gold Cup

By Doug McIntyre ESPNFC.com - January 12, 2017

MLS unveiled its 2017 season schedule on Thursday, and for the first time it includes a break for the group stage of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

The domestic league will go dark for almost two weeks during a major international tournament for the third time in four years, with no games scheduled between July 7-18.

MLS also took time off during the last two World Cups and for last summer's Copa America Centenario. Last year's hiatus for the U.S.-hosted Copa had no negative impact at the gate or on television viewership, as MLS set attendance and viewership records last season.

But as much as the move shows how the league has evolved over its 22 seasons -- MLS played through the World Cup in 1998, 2002 and '06 -- it's also a practical matter. With so many players from around the CONCACAF region now dotting MLS rosters, many teams would have struggled to put a quality product on the field during the competition.

However, MLS will continue to play with a reduced schedule through most FIFA windows.

Six teams -- Columbus Crew SC, Minnesota United, the New England Revolution, New York Red Bulls and Portland Timbers -- have games slated for March 25, one day after the U.S. national team faces Honduras in a high-stakes qualifier for next year's World Cup in Russia, and three days before another pivotal qualifier in Panama.

A half-dozen clubs will also play games during June's international window, in part because the schedule is so packed.

The arrival of Minnesota and Atlanta United as expansion teams brings the total number of regular-season matches to 374, an all-time high. Each club will play 34 games in all, the same as last year. The two newcomers will face off on March 12 and Aug. 13, with ESPN networks broadcasting both meetings.

MLS announced the home openers for each team three weeks ago. The season opens March 3, when Minnesota travels to Portland.

Among the other key matches are a March 5 tilt between Orlando City and New York City FC that will serve as the curtain-raiser for Orlando's new downtown stadium.

Atlanta will christen Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the home it is to share with the NFL's Falcons, on July 30 against Orlando, while the defending champion Seattle Sounders will meet Toronto FC May 6 in a MLS Cup rematch.

The league has also taken steps to reduce the number of games played during the day in blistering summer temperatures. Just nine matches will be held on early summer afternoons, down from 15 in 2016.

Five of those games will be played in cooler northern climates in Minnesota, Montreal Portland, Seattle and Toronto. Another is set for Atlanta's new digs, which will feature air conditioning under its retractable roof.

The final weekend of the regular season -- dubbed "Decision Day" -- will again feature all clubs kicking off simultaneously, with one small change from last year. Because expansion swelled the Eastern and Western conferences to 11 teams each, one inter-conference matchup -- between the Chicago Fire and Houston Dynamo on Oct. 22 -- was necessary.

That anomaly could last more than one season, as LAFC is currently the only guaranteed newcomer in 2018.

24. The 10 MLS SuperDraft prospects that kicked the hype machine into overdrive

By Jeff Carlisle ESPNFC.com - January 12, 2017

CARSON, Calif. -- MLS is now in its 20s, yet the relevance of the MLS SuperDraft continues to be a matter of debate. Yes, the advent of homegrown signings from a team's academy has robbed the draft of depth. The increase in foreign slots over the league's history, as well as the emphasis on those players acquiring green cards, has lessened the draft's impact as well.

But those predicting the draft's demise overlook one overarching fact: Teams love acquiring players for free. If said players have zero impact on a team's salary budget, even better.

For that reason, Friday's SuperDraft in Los Angeles will once again see teams maneuvering to extract the maximum from this particular player pipeline. After six days of physical testing, games and interviews at this year's MLS player combine, the hype machine has centered on a few performers. Here are 10 prospects who have received the most attention heading into Friday's festivities.

1. Jeremy Ebobisse | F | Duke University, Charleston Battery

Ebobisse is the latest example of how missing a big chunk of the combine hasn't hurt a player's stock. Last year Jack Harrison missed the entire combine due to injury, and he was chosen No. 1. In Ebobisse's case, he missed the first two days in part due to commitments with the U.S. U20 national team, yet could be the first player taken. He didn't look sharp in the first half of his lone combine appearance on Thursday, but improved in the second, and scored with a powerful finish. His size, movement and finishing make him a top prospect.

2. Abu Danladi | F | UCLA

Danladi largely backed up his reputation at the combine, where he has shown off his ability to play with his back to goal, had excellent mobility and could link up with teammates. He's got a heavy shot as well. There are questions about his propensity for injury, however. That isn't doing much to scare off teams, and Danladi's physical attributes have more than one MLS coach willing to trade up to nab him.

3. Miles Robinson | D | Syracuse

Robinson is another player whom clubs are willing to part with assets for in order to get him on their roster, and along with Ebobisse and Danladi, he is a candidate to be chosen first overall in the draft. Robinson has size and mobility, and at age 19 he has plenty of upside. Robinson had a bit of a quiet combine, but he has also been played mostly as a left-sided center-back, when he has normally played on the right. That could mitigate concerns about his distribution, and his status as a Generation Adidas player -- meaning he won't count against the salary cap this year -- should see him go in the top three.

4. Jackson Yueill | M | UCLA

Opinions varied about Yueill's combine performance. One coach thought the UCLA product's play was too quiet and that he didn't do enough to put his stamp on games. Another thought Yueill was tidy on the ball and adapted to what the games dictated. The latter characterization seems set to carry the day, as Yueill will likely be a top-five pick.

5. Chris Odoi-Atsem | D | Maryland

Odoi-Atsem spent some time as a center-back, but at 5-foot-10, projects to be an outside-back in MLS. At the combine, he's shown good instincts in terms of when to commit to tackles and when to delay, and the way he chews up ground is borderline freakish. He'll need to sharpen his game in terms of being effective in the attacking half, but Odoi-Atsem remains one of the more desirable players available.

6. Jonathan Lewis | M | Akron

Lewis was a late addition to this year's Generation Adidas class, but his performances at the combine have justified his inclusion. Lewis' quickness, movement off the ball and sharpness while on it have seen him impress numerous teams at the combine, and his GA status will make him even more attractive on draft day.

7. Zeiko Lewis | M | Boston College

Opinions vary as to

Check out the Major League Soccer Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from January 13, 2017


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central