FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – For the second year in a row, the New England Revolution will face the LA Galaxy and D.C. United in the first two games of a new season.
The Revolution will open the 2011 season on the road against the Galaxy on Sunday, March 20, Major League Soccer announced today. The league also announced that the Revolution will play its 2011 home opener the following weekend, on Saturday, March 26, against arch-rival D.C. United at Gillette Stadium.
The Revs and Galaxy will meet at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., on Sunday, March 20, at 8 p.m. ET. This will be the third consecutive year in which the Revolution opens its season on the West Coast, and the second year in a row in which the Revs meet the Galaxy in their season opener. The teams split their two meetings in 2010, with each home team taking a victory.
In Week 2, the Revolution will open its 17-game regular-season home schedule when arch-rival D.C. United visits Gillette Stadium on March 26. The Revolution earned wins in both meetings against United in 2010, winning 2-0 at RFK Stadium on April 3, and 1-0 at Gillette Stadium on Aug. 7.
The D.C. match on March 26 will be the Revs’ earliest-ever home opener, surpassing the March 29, 2008, season opener against the Houston Dynamo. New England’s season opener – March 20 – will be the team’s second-earliest season opener ever, two days later than the 2000 opener at Miami on March 18.
“After opening the season with a road match against the Galaxy, which has become a bit of tradition the last few years, we’re looking forward to opening our 2011 home schedule against one of our biggest rivals in D.C. United,” Revolution Chief Operating Officer Brian Bilello said. “Starting our home schedule against one of our fiercest rivals will give our fans a great start to the home season. It gives everybody a great match to look forward to during the winter months and preseason.”
All 18 clubs will take the field during the opening “First Kick” week (March 15-20) as they begin a 34-game, balanced regular season in which every club will face each of the other 17 clubs home and away. Ten teams will qualify for the 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs.
The entire 2011 MLS regular season will be released by early February, and broadcast information for the 2011 season will be released at a later date.
Four-game Holiday Mini-Plans are on sale now for the 2011 season, and start at $68. The four-game Holiday Mini-Plans include tickets to any four stand-alone games, a 2011 Revolution calendar and a choice of one of four exclusive gifts. Season tickets for the 2011 New England Revolution season are also on sale – including packages for the newly-opened West Side seats – and start at $234 for 18-game packages. Call 1-877-GET-REVS or visit revolutionsoccer.net for more information about these plans or any other ticket option.
MLS 2011 HOME OPENERS
Home club listed first. All times Eastern. Schedule subject to change.
Tuesday, March 15
Seattle Sounders FC vs. LA Galaxy, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Saturday, March 19
Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Toronto FC, time TBD
D.C. United vs. Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m.
New York Red Bulls vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 7:30 p.m.
FC Dallas vs. Chicago Fire, 8:30 p.m.
Houston Dynamo vs. Philadelphia Union, 8:30pm
Colorado Rapids vs. Portland Timbers, 9 p.m.
Chivas USA vs. Sporting Kansas City, 10:30 p.m.
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Real Salt Lake, 10:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 20
LA Galaxy vs. New England Revolution, 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 26
Chicago Fire vs. Sporting Kansas City, 4 p.m.
Columbus Crew vs. New York Red Bulls, 4 p.m.
Philadelphia Union vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 4 p.m.
Toronto FC vs. Portland Timbers, time TBD
New England Revolution vs. D.C. United, time TBD
Real Salt Lake vs. LA Galaxy, 9 p.m.
Thursday, April 14
Portland Timbers vs. Chicago Fire, 11 p.m.
Thursday, June 9
Sporting Kansas City vs. Chicago Fire, time TBD
