New York, New York (December 20, 2018) — Major League Soccer announced the 2019 home openers for the league’s 24 clubs on Thursday. It includes expansion side FC Cincinnati hosting the defending Western Conference champion Portland Timbers on March 17.
The 2019 season officially begins on March 2 at 1 p.m. ET with the Philadelphia Union hosting Toronto FC. 10 matches will take place on opening day, including FC Cincy’s first-ever MLS match against the Seattle Sounders at CenturyLink Field. Kickoff for that game gets underway at 10 p.m. ET.
League champion Atlanta United gets their title defense underway on the road when they face D.C. United at Audi Field on Sunday, March 3. A week later, they get to raise their title banner at Mercedes-Benz Stadium against FC Cincy.
Minnesota United opens their new facility on April 13 when they welcome New York City to Allianz Field. The Montreal Impact also open their home slate that day against Columbus Crew SC.
The Crew, who was one of the feel-good stories of 2018 given the developments regarding them remaining in Columbus, will play at home in Week One. They’ll take on the New York Red Bulls at MAPFRE Stadium on opening day with kickoff slated for 4:30 p.m.
The Timbers have the longest wait before they play their first home game. It comes as a result of renovations to Providence Park which will increase the capacity by 4,000 seats. But the project won’t be done until later in the season which means Portland’s home opener will occur on June 1 when they face LAFC.
MLS Home Openers for 2019 Season (all times Eastern)
Saturday, March 2
Philadelphia Union vs Toronto FC (Talen Energy Stadium): 1 p.m.
Orlando City SC vs NYCFC (Orlando City Stadium): 2:30 p.m.
Columbus Crew SC vs New York Red Bulls (MAPFRE Stadium): 4:30 p.m.
FC Dallas vs New England Revolution (Toyota Stadium): 4:30 p.m.
Houston Dynamo vs Real Salt Lake (BBVA Compass Stadium): 6 p.m.
Colorado Rapids vs Portland Timbers (Dick’s Sporting Goods Park): 6 p.m.
Vancouver Whitecaps vs Minnesota United FC (BC Place): 6 p.m.
LA Galaxy vs Chicago Fire (Dignity Health Sports Park): 8 p.m.
Seattle Sounders vs FC Cincinnati (CenturyLink Field): 10 p.m.
San Jose Earthquakes vs Montreal Impact (Avaya Stadium): 10 p.m.
Sunday, March 3
D.C. United vs Atlanta United (Audi Field): 6 p.m.
LAFC vs Sporting KC (Banc of California Stadium): 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 9
Chicago Fire vs Orlando City SC (SeatGeek Stadium): 1 p.m.
New England Revolution vs Columbus Crew SC (Gillette Stadium): 2 p.m.
Real Salt Lake vs Vancouver Whitecaps (Rio Tinto Stadium): 6 p.m.
Sunday, March 10
New York City FC vs D.C. United (Yankee Stadium): 3 p.m.
Sporting KC vs Philadelphia Union (Children’s Mercy Park): 3 p.m.
Atlanta United vs FC Cincinnati (Mercedes-Benz Stadium): 5 p.m.
Saturday, March 16
New York Red Bulls vs San Jose Earthquakes (Red Bull Arena): TBD
Sunday, March 17
Toronto FC vs New England Revolution (BMO Field): 1:30 p.m.
FC Cincinnati vs Portland Timbers (Nippert Stadium): 5 p.m.
Saturday, April 13
Montreal Impact vs Columbus Crew SC (Stade Saputo): 1 p.m.
Minnesota United vs New York City FC (Allianz Field): 5 p.m.
Saturday, June 1
Portland Timbers vs LAFC (Providence Park): 10:30 p.m.
