MLS Releases 2011 Conference Alignment, Roster Rules
January 28, 2011 - Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
NEW YORK (Friday, January 28, 2011) ¬" Major League Soccer announced today that the Houston Dynamo will move to the Eastern Conference in 2011. Combined with the Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps FC joining MLS as expansion clubs in 2011, the League now has two conferences of nine teams each.
Upon joining MLS in 2006, Houston became the easternmost club in the Western Conference. The two-time MLS Cup Champions are now the westernmost team in the Eastern Conference. Houston's average distance from its Eastern Conference foes is 194.6 miles shorter than its average distance to the nine Western Conference clubs. This year, every team will play each of the other 17 clubs once at home, once away, for a balanced, 34-game regular season.
The League's 16th season begins Tuesday, March 15 with Seattle Sounders FC hosting the LA Galaxy at 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN3.com). MLS First Kick 2011 is presented by Dick's Sporting Goods. The Houston Dynamo open at home against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday, March 19. The clubs in each conference for 2011 are as follows, in alphabetical order:
EASTERN CONFERENCE WESTERN CONFERENCE
Chicago Fire Chivas USA
Columbus Crew Colorado Rapids
D.C. United FC Dallas
Houston Dynamo LA Galaxy
Sporting Kansas City Portland Timbers
New England Revolution Real Salt Lake
New York Red Bulls San Jose Earthquakes
Philadelphia Union Seattle Sounders FC
Toronto FC Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Also today, MLS posted its roster rules for 2011 on MLSsoccer.com. CLICK HERE for the 2011 MLS Roster Rules.
In addition, MLS has formed a joint task force with the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) that will study the development of the game in Canada and look to provide players in Canada, regardless of citizenship, the best possible environment and opportunities. The task force will initially be comprised of seven members:
÷ J. Todd Durbin, Executive Vice President, MLS
÷ Victor Montagliani, Vice President, CSA
÷ Peter Montopoli, General Secretary, CSA
÷ Stephen Hart, Coach, Canada Men's National Team
÷ Bob Lenarduzzi, President, Vancouver Whitecaps FC
÷ Earl Cochrane, Director of Team and Player Operations, Toronto FC
÷ Nick De Santis, Technical Director, Montreal Impact
The task force will closely monitor the effects of youth development initiatives and MLS roster rules and on Canadian clubs and make recommendations for future changes, if necessary. Beginning this year, Toronto FC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC are required to have a minimum of three Canadian domestic players on their rosters. This minimum also will apply to the Montreal Impact when the club makes its MLS debut in 2012.
Major League Soccer Stories from January 28, 2011
- Earthquakes Sign Midfielder Tony Donatelli - San Jose Earthquakes
- Red Bulls Announce 2011 Preseason Travel Schedule - New York Red Bulls
- Real Salt Lake Preseason Camp / Intra-Squad Scrimmage Report - - Real Salt Lake
- Rapids Re-Sign Andre Akpan and Jamie Smith - Colorado Rapids
- Dynamo Move to Eastern Conference - Houston Dynamo FC
- MLS Releases 2011 Conference Alignment, Roster Rules - MLS
- Crew Signs Prolific Forward Jeff Cunningham - Columbus Crew SC
- Red Bulls Sign Forward Luke Rodgers - New York Red Bulls
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.
