MLS 2021 will begin soon. The 26th season starts this weekend, as teams have been preparing for a demanding year, in which we will continue to watch the experienced stars alongside the promising youth talent that feature in this exciting league.
With a new franchise making its debut in the league, 27 teams are going to battle in the new soccer year in the US. Columbus Crew were crowned championsin the last season and they are going to be the defending title holders in this edition.Moreover, expansion side Austin FC are readytomake their breakthrough in the competition.
The new MLS season beginson Friday, April 16. After a 2020 year in which the activity was halted by the pandemic, a fresh start is closer for the US soccer league.Before the kickoff, here we’ll take a look into the schedule, the format of the competition and key dates for MLS 2021.
MLS 2021 Format
Teams will be divided in Eastern and Western Conference as usual. This year, however, with the addition Austin FC, there will be13 teams in the Weast, and 14 in the East. The regular-season consistsof 34 games for eachof the 27 MLS sides and it will take place from April to November. The top seven teams from each conference will get into the playoffs looking to have a deep run until the MLS Cup final.
MLS 2021 Schedule
The MLS 2021 full schedule has been released, and there are plenty of exciting games in a highly-expected new season.Austin FC’s debut against Los Angeles FC, Inter Miami’s second year in the tournament and Columbus Crew’s beginning of the title defenseare some of the highlights. This is how the competition will kick off:
MLS Week 1
MLS Week 2
MLS Week 3
MLS 2021 Schedule (via mlssoccer.com)
MLS 2021 Key Dates
After the Major League Soccer announced the full schedule for the 2021 season, let’s take a look at the key dates for this tournament.
. LAFC vs Austin FC – April 17
. Inter Miami vs LA Galaxy – April 18
. LAFC vs Seattle Sounders – April 24
. San Jose Earthquakes vs FC Dallas – April 24
. Nashville vs Inter Miami – May 2
. LA Galaxy vs LAFC – May 8
. Inter Miami vs Atlanta United – May 9
. Portland Timbers vs Seattle Sounders – May 9
. LA Galaxy vs Austin FC – May 15
. Cincinnati vs Inter Miami – May 16
. Portland Timbers vs LA Galaxy – May 22
. Seattle Sounders vs Atlanta United – May 23
. New York Red Bull vs New York City FC – August 21
. Orlando City vs Inter Miami – August 27
. LAFC vs LA Galaxy – August 28
. Seattle Sounders vs Portland Timbers – August 29
Decision Day – November 7
Cincinnati vs Atlanta United
Columbus Crew vs Chicago Fire
Nashville vs New York Red Bull
New England Revolution vs Inter Miami
New York City FC vs Philadelphia Union
Toronto FC vs DC United
CF Montreal vs Orlando City
Sporting Kansas City vs Real Salt Lake
Colorado Rapids vs LAFC
LA Galaxy vs Minnesota United
Portland Timbers vs Austin
San Jose Earthquakes vs FC Dallas
Vancouver Whitecaps vs Seattle Sounders
MLS Cup 2021 Playoffs – Begins November 19
MLS Cup final – December 11
