Major League Soccer unveiled its 2011 schedule Thursday, and if a big step forward has been taken with the decision to sit quiet on three FIFA International Fixture Dates -- Aug. 10, Sept. 3-4 and Oct. 8-9 -- then perhaps we should be questioning why the league won't stop, or at least slow down, during the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
MLS plans a full slate during the June 5-25 regional nations championship, with Chivas USA slated to play on opening day (at home against Portland, with the Gold Cup's Home Depot Center matches held the following day) and opposite the final (at Philadelphia) and the Galaxy in action (at San Jose) the night of the final.
The Galaxy, which figures to lose Landon Donovan and perhaps Omar Gonzalez to the U.S. national team for the tournament, will play four games during the Gold Cup. Chivas USA, which likely will lose nobody, is scheduled to play five.
The SuperClasico, pitting the Galaxy against Chivas, is slated for May 21 (Goats at home) and Oct. 16 (L.A. at home). Reigning MLS champion Colorado visits HDC on March 26 (vs. Chivas) and Sept. 9 (vs. Galaxy).
Chivas faces two tough stretches: seven of nine on the road from mid-April through the end of May, with games at Real Salt Lake, New York and Columbus; and a five-game swing through Dallas, New England, Seattle, Colorado and Portland from July 31 through Aug. 24. The Galaxy's longest trek is three games, at D.C. United, Toronto FC and Chicago, from April 9-17.
All 18 teams will be in action March 26 -- Chivas is home against Colorado, Galaxy plays at Real Salt Lake -- the biggest day ever on MLS's calendar.
Here are six matches to watch from each of the local teams' schedules:
Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/soccer/post/_/id/6227/mls-schedule-no-rest-for-gold-cup
No comments:
Post a Comment