MLS 2021 opening day: games, times, TV and how to watch online
All the info you need to know on how and where to watch the opening day fixtures for the 2021 MLS regular season on 16 April at 8pm EDT / 2am CEST 17 April.
The 2021 MLS regular season kicks off this weekend with the Houston Dynamo and San Jose Earthquakes getting the action underway at BBVA stadium on Friday evening at 8:00 p.m. ET. Seattle Sounders welcome Minnesota United to Lumen Field to bring Friday’s matches to a close.
Eight matches are programmed for Saturday, starting with the Canadian Classique - Montreal host Toronto at DRV PNL stadium – the last time these two met in the 401 derby, it was Toronto who took the spoils, Jozy Altidore, who Spanish football fans may remember from his time at Villarreal, hitting a late winner in the 1-2 victory. The Opening Day continues on Sunday with three games – Inter Miami and LA Galaxy are the first in action, that game is followed by Columbus Crew's home meeting with Philadelphia Union. Vancouver and Portland wrap things up with their clash at Rio Tinto stadium (10 p.m.).
MLS regular season dates changed
The 2021 MLS season was originally scheduled to get underway on the weekend of 3 April but set back a fortnight. The regular season will conclude on 7 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.
Real Salt Lake are not in action this weekend - will not play a game this weekend, their opening fixture against Minnesota United will be played next weekend, Saturday 24 April.
2021 MLS Opening Day kick-off times and television coverage
Friday 16 April
Houston Dynamo v San Jose Earthquakes 8:00 p.m. (MLS Live on ESPN+, MLS Live on DAZN)
Seattle Sounders v Minnesota United 9:30 p.m. (TSN3, FS1, FOX Deportes. Stream on fuboTV, Sling, AT&T TV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTubeTV)
Saturday 17 April
Montreal v Toronto 2:00 p.m. (TSN1, TSN4, CTV, TVA Sports, ESPN+)
Orlando City v Atlanta United 3:00 p.m. (UniMas, TUDN. Stream on fuboTV, AT&T TV, DAZN)
LAFC v Austin FC 6:00 p.m. (FOX, FOX Deportes, TSN4, Hulu + Live TV, AT&T TV, YouTubeTV)
DC United v New York City 8:00 p.m. (ESPN+, DAZN)
FC Dallas v Colorado Rapids 8:00 p.m. (ESPN+, DAZN)
New York v Kansas City 8:00 p.m. (ESPN+, DAZN)
Chicago Fire v New England 8:30 p.m. (ESPN+, DAZN)
Nashville SC v FC Cincinnati 8:30 p.m. (MyTV30 (NashvilleSC.com), ESPN+, DAZN)
Sunday 18 April
Inter Miami v LA Galaxy 3:00 p.m. (ABC, ESPN Deportes. TSN3, Stream on fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, AT&T TV, YouTubeTV)
Columbus Crew v Philadelphia Union 5:30 p.m. (FS1, FOX Deportes, TSN3 Stream on fuboTV, Sling, Hulu + Live TV, AT&T TV, YouTubeTV)
Vancouver Whitecaps v Portland Timbers 10:00 p.m. (ESPN+, TSN1, TSN3)
*All times are Eastern Time (ET).
Can I follow the MLS online?
All of the 2021 MLS Opening Day fixtures are available through streaming services such as ESPN+, which is available on PC, Mac, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Samsung connected TVs, Roku, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4. It is also available on Apple TV, although support begins from Generation 3 onwards - although there is a $5.99 monthly fee.
Games which are being shown on FOX and ABC can be streamed live on fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV.
Inter Miami v LA Galaxy live on AS English
You can follow our live text commentary of Sunday's much anticipated meeting between David Beckham's Inter Miami and LA Galaxy here on AS English. We will be building up to the game during the day with all the key statistics, team news and reaction before our minute-by-minute coverage from kick-off at 3 p.m local time (ET).