MLS

MLS | Guide to the 2019 campaign: Everything you need to know.

The 2019 MLS season is upon us, with more teams than ever taking part. There will now be a total of twelve teams occupying each conference with FC Cincinnati experiencing Major League Soccer for the first time after moving from the USL.

When does the season start?

The 2019 campaign will official kick off on the 2nd of March, with the Talen Energy Stadium hosting the first match between Philadelphia Union and Toronto FC in the early evening kick off.

Before a further six league games take place on the same Saturday up until 1am UK time.

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Key fixtures to watch out for.

There are a host of tasty battles to look forward to this season in MLS, starting with Supporters Sheild winners NY Red Bulls facing Columbus Crew in COLUMBUS! Yes, that’s right, no move has taken place and therefore once again the MAPFRE Stadium will experience another season of MLS.

Alongside that earlier encounter others to watch out for include, the New York derby in July when NY Red Bulls host NYC FC.

And In the same month we will see LA Galaxy face LAFC who are now entering just they second season in MLS.

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Big player losses?

MLS 2019, will as always be without several key players who featured in the 2018 season.

Most notably, Sebastian Giovinco who was effectively pushed out the door at BMO Field in the winter window despite his desire to stay in Canada. The 32-year-old joined Al-Hilal for £788,000.

One which may damage Title favourites and reigning MLS cup holders Atlanta United’s attacking force is Miguel Almiron who departed for Newcastle United in January to become the club’s new record signing.

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Players making MLS debuts

There will be more signings as preseason kicks off and even after the season gets underway, there have already been a number of players signed from abroad who haven’t previously played in MLS.

Unsurprisingly, the two regions where the bulk of the league’s international signings traditionally come from, Europe and South America, have been busy yet again this offseason.

But whereas heavily-scouted countries of Brazil and Argentina have been exporting zones again for MLS clubs, eight different European countries have been represented to date in the international signings.

On the topic of Almiron, he was replaced by Pity Martínez. The 25-year-old was awarded South American player of the year for 2018, before making his £11.88m move to Atlanta.

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Concacaf Champions League

Defending MLS Cup champions Atlanta United, Sporting KC, Houston Dynamo and Toronto FC all begin CONCACAF Champions League action this week.

Sporting KC arguably have the toughest tie, they face Toluca from Liga MX, whilst the easiest game has fallen to NY Red Bulls who face Atletico Pantoja from the Dominican Republic.

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U.S. Open Cup

Houston Dynamo will begin their title defence in the 106th edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, on the weekend of May 7-8 with 19 First Round games and features a total of 84 teams from all levels, culminating in August after eight rounds of single-elimination play.

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MLS Cup dates

The 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs will experience its 24th edition this season.

The playoffs are scheduled to begin on the 19th of October, 2019, and conclude with MLS Cup final which will be held on the 10th of November 2019.

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Season Predictions

Western Conference winners: Portland Timbers

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Eastern Conference winners: Atlanta United.

Supporters Sheild winners: Atlanta United.

U.S. Open cup winners: Toronto FC

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MLS Cup winners: Atlanta United.

Concacaf Champions League winners: Sporting KC

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