MLS Cup rematch highlights 2016 home openers
The 2016 MLS season will kick off Sunday, March 6, with all 20 teams in action — including a clash between the Portland Timbers and Columbus Crew.
Major League Soccer fans have received their first glimpse of the 2016 campaign, and it includes an MLS Cup rematch.
The league announced the home openers for the upcoming season Tuesday, including 10 matches Sunday, March 6 — marking the first time since 2005 that every club will kick off the campaign on the same day.
That opening day schedule is highlighted by a clash between the MLS Cup champion Portland Timbers and runner-up Columbus Crew, set for 4 p.m. ET on ESPN at Providence Park.
Toronto FC is the only club not holding its home opener in March, with the Reds staying on the road until May 7 because of ongoing renovations at BMO Field.
The full MLS schedule will be announced Jan. 7.
Here are 2016 MLS home openers in full (all times ET):
Sunday, March 6
1:30 p.m. – New York Red Bulls vs. Toronto FC (Red Bull Arena)
2 p.m. – Orlando City vs. Real Salt Lake (Orlando Citrus Bowl)
2 p.m. – Chicago Fire vs. New York City FC (Toyota Park)
3 p.m. – FC Dallas vs. Philadelphia Union (Toyota Stadium)
3 p.m. – Houston Dynamo vs. New England Revolution (BBVA Compass Stadium)
3 p.m. – San Jose Earthquakes vs. Colorado Rapids (Avaya Stadium)
4:30 p.m. – Portland Timbers vs. Columbus Crew SC (Providence Park)
5:30 p.m. – Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Montreal Impact (BC Place)
7 p.m. – Seattle Sounders vs. Sporting Kansas City (CenturyLink Field)
10 p.m. – LA Galaxy vs. D.C. United (StubHub Center)
Saturday, March 12
New England Revolution vs. D.C. United (Gillette Stadium)
Columbus Crew vs. Philadelphia Union (Mapfre Stadium)
Colorado Rapids vs. LA Galaxy (Dick’s Sporting Goods Park)
Sporting Kansas City vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC (Children’s Mercy Park)
Real Salt Lake vs. Seattle Sounders FC (Rio Tinto Stadium)
Montreal Impact vs. New York Red Bulls (Olympic Stadium)
Sunday, March 13
New York City FC vs. Toronto FC (Yankee Stadium)
Saturday, March 19
D.C. United vs. Colorado Rapids (RFK Stadium)
Sunday, March 20
Philadelphia Union vs. New England Revolution (Talen Energy Stadium)
Saturday, May 7
Toronto FC vs. FC Dallas (BMO Field)
