2021 MLS schedule and dates: regular season, playoffs, All Star..
The Major League Soccer season is less than a week away. The Houston Dynamo and the San Jose Earthquakes will kick off on the 17th of April.
A shortened season, canceled games, and empty stadiums marked a much different MLS season than we are used to seeing. We are on the dawn of the new campaign, and despite a delayed start to the new season North America’s premier soccer division will feature a full slate.
Dynamo vs. Earthquakes to kick off the new season
The 26th Major League Soccer season will start on the 17th of April with the San Jose Earthquakes hosting the Houston Dynamo to kick off the new campaign. The regular season will conclude on the 7th of November, the latest any MLS season has ever ended. Those who qualify will move on to the MLS Cup playoffs starting just days before Thanksgiving.
The Crew looking for back-to-back titles
Will the Columbus Crew make it back to the MLS Cup to defend their 2020 title? They will be hoping to play on December 11th for a chance to win back-to-back Cup titles.
Or will it be the new kids on the block Austin FC making an inaugural run deep into the post season? It wouldn’t be the first time we see an expansion club start with immediate success from the get to. Atlanta, LAFC and Nashville SC most recently, have surprised in their first seasons in the top division.
Change of format for the MLS All Star game
The All-Star game will change format from the one we are used to seeing in the MLS over the past years. Scheduled for last year, but pushed back to this year because of covid-19, the MLS All Stars will take on the selected All Star team from the Liga MX (Mexico’s first division). The game will be played at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles in July of 2021.
Last season was the first time the MLS had to cancel regular season games since the 2001 season after the September 11th attacks. This campaign will feature a full slate of 34 games for each club. Home and away matches will be played for interconfertnce clubs, and 10 matches will be played against teams for the opposite conference.