With the Supporters' Shield at stake, and the result dependent on the respective outcomes of New York Red Bulls and FC Dallas' #DecisionDay matches, Major League Soccer today announced a schedule change. The Red Bulls' matchup against the Chicago Fire has been shifted from the 5 p.m. ET slot to 7 p.m. ET. The change allows New York and FCD, tied atop the overall standings (57 points each), to kick off simultaneously.
FC Dallas hosts the San Jose Earthquakes at 7 p.m. ET. The Quakes remain in contention for one of the three remaining Western Conference berths in the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs.
“We created Decision Day to ensure that we have the most compelling and competitively-driven matches played simultaneously on the final day of our regular season,” said MLS Deputy Commissioner Mark Abbott. “Changing the time of the Fire-Red Bulls match fulfills our vision, and will provide an exciting finish to our Supporters’ Shield race.”
In addition to the previously scheduled local television broadcasts, the Fire-Red Bulls match will also now be aired on ESPN3, along with all five Western Conference matches – each of which have playoff implications. (Local blackouts apply for matches on ESPN3.)
Along with the Supporters’ Shield, awarded to the team with the best overall regular-season record, four playoff berths are on the line on #DecisionDay, as well as 10 seeds which will affect positioning, first-round byes, home / road matches and quick turnarounds for the Knockout Round on October 28-29.
