MLS Unveils 2006 Regular Season and ABC/ESPN2 Schedules
February 8, 2006 - Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
NEW YORK (Wednesday, February 8, 2006) - Major League Soccer, together with the ABC and ESPN2 Networks, today unveiled its 2006 schedule and national television broadcasts for the League's 11th season. Each of the 12 MLS teams again will play 32 matches; about 84 percent of those games will take place on weekends (including Friday nights) or holidays. The two networks will combine to air 23 regular season games live nationally beginning with the ABC broadcast of the League's season opener on April 1 and a primetime ESPN2 game - the New England Revolution at Los Angeles Galaxy (11 p.m. ET). ESPN2 will show 22 live regular season games and three MLS Cup Playoff games, while ABC will also broadcast the 2006 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game in July as well as MLS Cup 2006 on Sunday, November 12 at Pizza Hut Park.
The entire MLS schedule, including individual team schedules, is available at www.MLSnet.com.
ABC enters its 11th season broadcasting MLS with a live telecast of First Kick 2006 on April 1 beginning at 4 p.m. ET. The season opener features the Chicago Fire against host FC Dallas in Pizza Hut Park, the world-class soccer stadium that opened last year in Frisco, Tex. ABC will also carry the Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game live on Saturday, July 29 (3:30 p.m. ET) and MLS Cup 2006 on November 12 (3:30 p.m. ET). The details of the Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game, including location, will be announced in the coming weeks.
Coverage on ESPN2 begins on April 1 with a rematch of last year's championship match between the New England Revolution and the Los Angeles Galaxy, live from The Home Depot Center (11 p.m. ET). The ESPN2 slate continues on April 8 when Chivas USA, led by Paco Palencia, visits D.C. United live at RFK Stadium (4 p.m. ET). Five ESPN2 games will be featured in a "primetime" window: three on Saturday nights, one on the eve of the opening match of the FIFA World Cup and another on the Wednesday prior to All-Star weekend. Of the 23 games to be televised on ESPN2, 18 are on Saturday, and 11 of those begin at 4 p.m. ET. Three of ESPN2's live telecasts are on Sundays, including the Chicago Fire against host D.C. United on October 15, the final day of the regular season. The three playoff games carried live by ESPN2 are also on Sundays: October 22 at 3 p.m. ET, October 29 at 6 p.m. ET, and November 5 at 4 p.m. ET.
Each MLS club's regional television schedule, and the MLS Direct Kick season package on cable and satellite will be announced in the coming weeks.
All 192 regular season games will be played between Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, October 15. The team that fares best during those 6 ½ months will capture the MLS Supporter's Shield for best regular season record.
Each team will play four games against each of its five conference foes and two against each of its six non-conference opponents. Therefore, fans that do not travel to away games will have two chances to root against each of their conference rivals and just one opportunity to see in person the star players from the other conference. Some of the key rivalries (clasicos) follow (all times Eastern):
The Brimstone Cup: Chicago Fire at FC Dallas, April 1, 4 p.m. ABC
FC Dallas at Chicago Fire, July 15, 4 p.m. ESPN2
The HONDA Superclásico: Los Angeles Galaxy at Chivas USA, April 15, 11 p.m., ESPN2
Chivas USA at Los Angeles Galaxy, June 8, 10 p.m., ESPN2
Los Angeles Galaxy at Chivas USA, July 15, 10 p.m.
Chivas USA at Los Angeles Galaxy, Sept. 30, 10:30 p.m.
The Atlantic Cup: MetroStars at D.C. United, April 2, 5 p.m.
D.C United at MetroStars, April 22, 4 p.m., ESPN2
D.C. United at MetroStars, Aug. 16, TBA
MetroStars at D.C. United, Sept. 23, 7:30 p.m.
The Rocky Mountain Cup: Colorado Rapids at Real Salt Lake, May 27, 4 p.m., ESPN2
Real Salt Lake at Colorado Rapids, June 9, 9:30 p.m.
Real Salt Lake at Colorado Rapids, Aug. 9, 9:30 p.m.
Colorado Rapids at Real Salt Lake, Sept. 2, 9 p.m.
The new Texas rivalry: FC Dallas at Houston, May 6, 8:30 p.m.
(yet to be named) Houston 1836 at FC Dallas, May 13, 4 p.m. ESPN2
FC Dallas at Houston 1836, Aug. 16, 8:30 p.m.
Houston 1836 at FC Dallas, Sept. 2, 8:30 p.m.
The city of Houston gets its first taste of Major League Soccer on opening weekend when the Colorado Rapids visit recently-renovated Robertson Stadium on April 2.
Another key event on the League calendar is the grand opening of the Chicago Fire's new, world-class, 20,000-seat stadium in Bridgeview, Ill. - just 12 miles from downtown Chicago - on June 25, with a game against the MetroStars. On June 11, the Fire will host the New England Revolution in the new facility for a limited-capacity match open only to Fire season ticket holders and residents of Bridgeview.
The Colorado Rapids and the Los Angeles Galaxy will host two of the six games on Independence Day on July 4 in what has become a tradition since the inaugural 1996 season, as fans enjoy America's Soccer and fireworks. Also hosting Independence Day soccer celebrations are the Chicago Fire, FC Dallas, Houston 1836, and Real Salt Lake.
The complete 2006 Major League Soccer regular season schedule follows, as well as the ABC/ESPN2 national television schedule (schedule subject to change). For individual team schedules, please go to MLSnet.com or contact the team.
2006 MLS REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE (subject to change)
Note: All times ET
Saturday, April 1, 2006
Chicago Fire at FC Dallas, 4 p.m., ABC
Columbus Crew at Kansas City Wizards, 8:30 p.m.
New England Revolution at Los Angeles Galaxy, 11 p.m., ESPN2
Sunday, April 2, 2006
MetroStars at D.C. United, 5 p.m.
Real Salt Lake at Chivas USA, 7 p.m.
Colorado Rapids at Houston 1836, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 8, 2006
Chivas USA at D.C. United, 4 p.m., ESPN2
New England Revolution at MetroStars, 7:30 p.m.
Kansas City Wizards at Houston 1836, 8:30 p.m.
Real Salt Lake at FC Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
Columbus Crew at Colorado Rapids, 9 p.m.
Chicago Fire at Los Angeles Galaxy, 10:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 15, 2006
Chicago Fire at Columbus Crew, 4 p.m., ESPN2
Houston 1836 at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
New England Revolution at Kansas City Wizards, 8:30 p.m.
FC Dallas at Colorado Rapids, 9 p.m.
MetroStars at Real Salt Lake, 9 p.m.
Los Angeles Galaxy at Chivas USA, 11 p.m., ESPN2
Saturday, April 22, 2006
D.C. United at MetroStars, 4 p.m., ESPN2
Real Salt Lake at Houston 1836, 8:30 p.m.
Columbus Crew at Los Angeles Galaxy, 10:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Kansas City Wizards at FC Dallas, 5 p.m., ESPN2
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Los Angeles Galaxy at Real Salt Lake, 4 p.m., ESPN2
FC Dallas at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
Kansas City Wizards at Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m.
Houston 1836 at Colorado Rapids, 9 p.m.
MetroStars at Chivas USA, 10 p.m.
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Chicago Fire at New England Revolution, 3 p.m.
Saturday, May 6, 2006
Los Angeles Galaxy at New England Revolution, 4 p.m., ESPN2
Chicago Fire at Kansas City Wizards, 8:30 p.m.
FC Dallas at Houston 1836, 8:30 p.m.
Columbus Crew at Real Salt Lake, 9 p.m.
D.C. United at Colorado Rapids, 9 p.m.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Los Angeles Galaxy at FC Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
Houston 1836 at Chivas USA, 10 p.m.
Saturday, May 13, 2006
Houston 1836 at FC Dallas, 4 p.m., ESPN2
Chicago Fire at MetroStars, 7:30 p.m.
Colorado Rapids at Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m.
Kansas City Wizards at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
Real Salt Lake at Los Angeles Galaxy, 10:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 14, 2006
New England Revolution at Chivas USA, 7 p.m.
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Chicago Fire at Houston 1836, 4 p.m., ESPN2
Chivas USA at MetroStars, 7:30 p.m.
D.C. United at Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m.
New England Revolution at FC Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
Kansas City Wizards at Real Salt Lake, 9 p.m.
Colorado Rapids at Los Angeles Galaxy, 10:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
FC Dallas at MetroStars, TBA
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Colorado Rapids at Real Salt Lake, 4 p.m., ESPN2
Houston 1836 at New England Revolution, TBA
D.C. United at Kansas City Wizards, 8:30 p.m.
Chicago Fire at Chivas USA, 10 p.m.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Columbus Crew at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
Los Angeles Galaxy at Colorado Rapids, 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 3, 2006
New England Revolution at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
Columbus Crew at FC Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
Los Angeles Galaxy at Houston 1836, 8:30 p.m.
MetroStars at Kansas City Wizards, 8:30 p.m.
Chicago Fire at Real Salt Lake, 9 p.m.
Colorado Rapids at Chivas USA, 10 p.m.
Thursday, June 8, 2006
Chivas USA at Los Angeles Galaxy, 10 p.m., ESPN2
Friday, June 9, 2006
Real Salt Lake at Colorado Rapids, 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Houston 1836 at MetroStars, 7:30 p.m.
Kansas City Wizards at Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Chivas USA at FC Dallas, 6 p.m.
New England Revolution at Chicago Fire, 7 p.m.
D.C. United at Los Angeles Galaxy, 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Los Angeles Galaxy at MetroStars, 7:30 p.m.
D.C. United at New England Revolution, TBA
Chicago Fire at Kansas City Wizards, 8:30 p.m.
Real Salt Lake at Houston 1836, 8:30 p.m.
Columbus Crew at Chivas USA, 10 p.m.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Chicago Fire at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
New England Revolution at Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m.
Chivas USA at Colorado Rapids, 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Chivas USA at Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m.
Kansas City Wizards at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
Colorado Rapids at FC Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
New England Revolution at Real Salt Lake, 9 p.m.
Houston 1836 at Los Angeles Galaxy, 10:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
MetroStars at Chicago Fire, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Columbus Crew at MetroStars, 7:30 p.m.
FC Dallas at New England Revolution, TBA
D.C. United at Kansas City Wizards, 8:30 p.m.
Real Salt Lake at Chicago Fire, 9 p.m.
Saturday, July 1, 2006
MetroStars at New England Revolution, 6 p.m., ESPN2
Los Angeles Galaxy at Kansas City Wizards, 8:30 p.m.
FC Dallas at Chivas USA, 10 p.m.
Tuesday, July 4, 2006
Kansas City Wizards at Chicago Fire, 8 p.m.
Columbus Crew at Houston 1836, 8:30 p.m.
D.C. United at FC Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
New England Revolution at Colorado Rapids, 9:30 p.m.
Chivas USA at Real Salt Lake, 10 p.m.
MetroStars at Los Angeles Galaxy, 10:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 8, 2006
Chivas USA at Houston 1836, 5 p.m., ESPN2
D.C. United at Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m.
MetroStars at FC Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
New England Revolution at Chicago Fire, 8:30 p.m.
Kansas City Wizards at Colorado Rapids, 9 p.m.
Real Salt Lake at Los Angeles Galaxy, 10:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 15, 2006
FC Dallas at Chicago Fire, 4 p.m., ESPN2
Colorado Rapids at MetroStars, 7:30 p.m.
Real Salt Lake at New England Revolution, TBA
Columbus Crew at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
Houston 1836 at Kansas City Wizards, 8:30 p.m.
Los Angeles Galaxy at Chivas USA, 10 p.m.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
MetroStars at Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m.
New England Revolution at Kansas City Wizards, 8:30 p.m.
Friday, July 21, 2006
Chivas USA at Colorado Rapids, 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Los Angeles Galaxy at Columbus Crew, 4 p.m., ESPN2
Kansas City Wizards at MetroStars, 7:30 p.m.
D.C. United at Chicago Fire, 8:30 p.m.
New England Revolution at Houston 1836, 8:30 p.m.
FC Dallas at Real Salt Lake, 10 p.m.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
D.C. United at New England Revolution, 7 p.m., ESPN2
Chivas USA at Real Salt Lake, 9 p.m.
Houston 1836 at Colorado Rapids, 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Sierra Mist All-Star Game, 3:30 p.m. ABC
Saturday, August 5, 2006
Columbus Crew at Chicago Fire, 6 p.m., ESPN2
Chivas USA at New England Revolution, TBA
Colorado Rapids at FC Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
MetroStars at Houston 1836, 8:30 p.m.
D.C. United at Real Salt Lake, 9 p.m.
Wednesday, August 9, 2006
Kansas City Wizards at New England Revolution, TBA
Real Salt Lake at Colorado Rapids, 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 12, 2006
FC Dallas at Houston 1836, 8:30 p.m.
Chivas USA at Chicago Fire, 8:30 p.m.
Game TBD, ESPN2
Columbus Crew at Kansas City Wizards, 8:30 p.m.
Los Angeles Galaxy at Colorado Rapids, 9 p.m.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Real Salt Lake at Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m.
D.C. United at MetroStars, TBA
Chivas USA at FC Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
Los Angeles Galaxy at Houston 1836, 8:30 p.m.
Kansas City Wizards at Chicago Fire, 9 p.m.
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Colorado Rapids at D.C. United, 4 p.m., ESPN2
Chicago Fire at New England Revolution, TBA
MetroStars at Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m.
Houston 1836 at Real Salt Lake, 9 p.m.
Kansas City Wizards at Chivas USA, 10 p.m.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
FC Dallas at Los Angeles Galaxy, 8 p.m.
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Columbus Crew at New England Revolution, TBA
Los Angeles Galaxy at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
Real Salt Lake at MetroStars, 7:30 p.m.
Colorado Rapids at Chicago Fire, 8:30 p.m.
FC Dallas at Kansas City Wizards, 8:30 p.m.
Houston 1836 at Chivas USA, 11 p.m., ESPN2
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
MetroStars at Kansas City Wizards, 8:30 p.m.
Houston 1836 at Chicago Fire, 9 p.m.
Los Angeles Galaxy at Real Salt Lake, 9 p.m.
FC Dallas at Colorado Rapids, 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 2, 2006
New England Revolution at Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m.
Houston 1836 at FC Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
Colorado Rapids at Real Salt Lake, 9 p.m.
Kansas City Wizards at Los Angeles Galaxy, 10:30 p.m.
Sunday, September 3, 2006
D.C. United at Chivas USA, 7 p.m.
MetroStars at Chicago Fire, 7 p.m.
Saturday, September 9, 2006
Chicago Fire at Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m.
Real Salt Lake at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
MetroStars at New England Revolution, TBA
Colorado Rapids at Kansas City Wizards, 8:30 p.m.
FC Dallas at Chivas USA, 10 p.m.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Houston 1836 at Los Angeles Galaxy, 8 p.m.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Chicago Fire at Colorado Rapids, 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Columbus Crew at MetroStars, 7:30 p.m.
Chivas USA at Houston 1836, 8:30 p.m.
FC Dallas at Real Salt Lake, 9 p.m.
Colorado Rapids at Los Angeles Galaxy, 10:30 p.m.
Sunday, September 17, 2006
D.C. United at Chicago Fire, 4 p.m., ESPN2
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
New England Revolution at MetroStars, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Houston 1836 at Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m.
Kansas City Wizards at New England Revolution, TBA
MetroStars at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
Los Angeles Galaxy at Chicago Fire, 8:30 p.m.
Real Salt Lake at FC Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
Colorado Rapids at Chivas USA, 10 p.m.
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Chicago Fire at MetroStars, 7:30 p.m.
Colorado Rapids at New England Revolution, TBA
FC Dallas at Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m.
D.C. United at Houston 1836, 8:30 p.m.
Real Salt Lake at Kansas City Wizards, 8:30 p.m.
Chivas USA at Los Angeles Galaxy, 10:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 7, 2006
New England Revolution at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
Chivas USA at Kansas City Wizards, 8:30 p.m.
Columbus Crew at Chicago Fire, 8:30 p.m.
Los Angeles Galaxy at FC Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
Houston 1836 at Real Salt Lake, 9 p.m.
MetroStars at Colorado Rapids, 9 p.m.
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Kansas City Wizards at MetroStars, 7:30 p.m.
Colorado Rapids at Houston 1836, 8:30 p.m.
Columbus Crew at New England Revolution, TBA
FC Dallas at Los Angeles Galaxy, 10:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Chicago Fire at D.C. United, 5 p.m., ESPN2
Real Salt Lake at Chivas USA, 7 p.m.
END OF 2005 REGULAR SEASON
2006 MLS National Television Schedule on ABC and ESPN2
ABC Sports (3 National Telecasts)
Day Date Event Time (ET)
Sat. April 1 Chicago Fire at FC Dallas 4:00 p.m.
Sat. July 29 Sierra Mist MLS All Star Game 3:30 p.m.
Sun. November 12 MLS Cup 2006 3:30 p.m.
ESPN2 (26 National Telecasts)
Day Date Matchup Time (ET)
Sat. April 1 New England Revolution at Los Angeles Galaxy 11:00 p.m.
Sat. April 8 Chivas USA at D.C. United 4:00 p.m.
Sat. April 15 Chicago Fire at Columbus Crew 4:00 p.m.
Sat. April 15 Los Angeles Galaxy at Chivas USA 11:00 p.m.
Sat. April 22 D.C. United at MetroStars 4:00 p.m.
Sun. April 23 Kansas City Wizards at FC Dallas 5:00 p.m.
Sat. April 29 Los Angeles Galaxy at Real Salt Lake 4:00 p.m.
Sat. May 6 Los Angeles Galaxy at New England Revolution 4:00 p.m.
Sat. May 13 Houston 1836 at FC Dallas 4:00 p.m.
Sat. May 20 Chicago Fire at Houston 1836 4:00 p.m.
Sat. May 27 Colorado Rapids at Real Salt Lake 4:00 p.m.
Thurs. June 8 Chivas USA at Los Angeles Galaxy 10:00 p.m.
Sat. July 1 MetroStars at New England Revolution 6:00 p.m.
Sat. July 8 Chivas USA at Houston 1836 5:00 p.m.
Sat. July 15 FC Dallas at Chicago Fire 4:00 p.m.
Sat. July 22 Los Angeles Galaxy at Columbus Crew 4:00 p.m.
Wed. July 26 D.C. United at New England Revolution 7:00 p.m.
Sat. August 5 Columbus Crew at Chicago Fire 6:00 p.m.
Sat. August 12 Game TBD TBD
Sat. August 19 Colorado Rapids at D.C. United 4:00 p.m.
Sat. August 26 Houston 1836 at Chivas USA 11:00 p.m.
Sun. September 17 D.C. United at Chicago Fire 4:00 p.m.
Sun. October 15 Chicago Fire at D.C. United 5:00 p.m.
Sun. October 22 Playoff Game 3:00 p.m.
Sun. October 29 Playoff Game 6:00 p.m.
Sun. November 5 Playoff Game 4:00 p.m.
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