Major League Soccer revealed the schedule for the first phase of the return of the 25th season in home markets. As was the case during the MLS’s Back Tournament, the continuation of the season will include extensive protests of health and safety, including regular testing of players, coaches and essential personnel for COVID-19.
The revised schedule will see each team play an extra 18 games in the regular season, in a phased approach. The first phase will consist of most teams playing six matches against regional opponents through Sept. 14. The exception to this is FC Dallas and Nashville SC: They will play an additional three games to compensate those who are missing after being withdrawn from the MLS’s Back Tournament.
Due to travel restrictions between the US and Canada, Major League Soccer is cooperating with the league’s three Canadian clubs regarding plans to continue the regular season. More details on schedules for the Canadian teams will be announced in the near future.
The regular season will end on Decision Day on November 8, and the league aims to release the rest of the schedule in early September.
Schedule by Club
FC Dallas and Nashville SC
To compensate for the games they missed after being relegated from the MLS’s Back Tournament, FC Dallas and Nashville SC will play three additional games, against each other. The two teams will meet in the first game of the regular season 2020 rematch on Wednesday, August 12 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, and resume at the same location on August 16. A third game between the sides will be played at a later date in the regular season in Nashville.
Audi MLS Cup Playoffs
A total of 18 clubs will qualify for the postseason in 2020, up from 14 last year. The Playi of the Audi MLS Cup will start on 20 Nov., and culminate with MLS Cup on 12 Dec.
Protocol for health and safety
MLS will continue to work closely with the league’s infectious disease advisors, as well as advisers to the MLS Players Association on the testing plan.
All clubs form test partnerships with a locally certified lab, and all players, technical staff, and essential club staff will be tested every other day, including the day before each match day. Guidelines will also be given to players, coaches and essential personnel to avoid the risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19 during their time away from club facilities.
Team travel
Teams will take charter flights, such as buses, and for the majority of road trips, they will arrive at the host market on match day and will depart later in the day after the match.
Supporters
Currently, the majority of matches will be played without fans present. MLS and club management teamed up with local health authorities and government officials to develop a plan for limited capacity at certain games where allowed.
Rivalry matches
One of the highlights of the revised schedule is four straight days of rivalry, starting with the New York Derby on August 20 and the Texas Derby on August 21. El Trafico (LA vs. LAFC), the Florida Rivalry (Inter Miami vs. Orlando City SC) and the Rocky Mountain Cup (RSL vs. Colorado) will be played on August 22nd. The Cascadia matchup between the Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders FC takes place on Sunday, August 23rd.
Hell is Real Derby between FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew SC will be played twice in the first phase of the schedule on August 29 and September 6.
Where to see
The continuation of the season will air nationally in the US on ESPN, FOX Sports and Univision platforms, as well as regionally through individual parties of club broadcasts. All national TV matches that are not broadcast by an English-language network are streamed live in English on Twitter. All regional broadcasts will be broadcast out-of-market on ESPN + in the US
Canadian broadcast schedules will be announced at a later date.
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