MLS Commissioner Don Garber on Friday shared the following message with club supporters ahead of the start of the 2016 MLS season on Soccer Sunday, March 6.
Don't miss MLSsoccer.com's Week 1 LIVE whip-around show on Soccer Sunday beginning at 1 pm ET.
Dear MLS Supporters,
Led by your incredible passion, last year clearly was our most successful to date, with two new expansion teams, an influx of world-class players, new media rights partnerships and record attendance. In 2016, soccer in the United States and Canada is poised to reach new heights.
On Sunday, Major League Soccer’s 21st season kicks off with all 20 Clubs playing on opening day, including four marquee matches broadcast live by the League’s national television partners. “Soccer Sunday” will feature 11 consecutive hours of MLS matches and programming, including MLS Soccer Sunday: Week 1 LIVE, our digital “whip around” show that will air on MLSsoccer.com, ESPN3, FOX Sports GO and SkySports.com.
This year we’ll celebrate an incredible Summer of Soccer, highlighted by Copa America Centenario, the most prominent men’s soccer event in the United States since the 1994 World Cup. More than 50 Major League Soccer players will participate in the June tournament, joining Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Neymar and many other global soccer stars as 16 countries compete in 10 cities, including nine MLS markets. MLS will take a two-week break from our season during group play of Copa America.
We’re pleased to have MLS Heineken Rivalry Week return in 2016, as three weekends will showcase the most anticipated rivalry matches of the season. In July, one of the most successful clubs in the world, Arsenal FC, will take on the MLS All-Stars in the AT&T MLS All-Star Game at Avaya Stadium in San Jose. We’ll conclude the regular season with Decision Day as 10 games featuring every MLS club will take place simultaneously to determine which teams will qualify for the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.
For a complete guide to the 2016 MLS season, click here.
On behalf of Major League Soccer, I want thank you for your support and hope you enjoy the 2016 MLS season.
Enjoy Soccer Sunday!
