As the countdown to Major League Soccer’s 26th season begins, MLS today announced a week of media opportunities from April 12-15, highlighted by availabilities with MLS Commissioner Don Garber, Austin FC minority owner Matthew McConaughey, as well as select additional owners, executives, players and head coaches.
The 2021 MLS season kicks off on Friday, April 16, and will be a celebration of Austin FC’s inaugural season, the opening of three new soccer stadiums, as well as intense rivalries on the field played out by globally recognized talent.
For more information about the 26th MLS Season, visit www.MLSsoccer.com.
Monday, April 12
Commissioner Garber 2021 MLS Season Kickoff Media Availability
MLS Commissioner Don Garber will participate in a discussion with MLS Great, Charlie Davies as well as take questions from members of the media.
WHEN: Monday, April 12 at 12:30 p.m. ET
Media Members are asked to register for the availability in advance. Please contact MLS Communications for registration details.
MLS Owners Panel
Three MLS owners will participate in a discussion about the upcoming MLS season and plans for the league and sport leading into FIFA World Cup 2026.
WHO: Dee Haslam, Investor-Operator of Crew SC and CEO of Haslam Sports Group, Anthony Precourt, Austin FC Founder, Majority Owner and Chief Executive Officer, Carl Lindner III, FC Cincinnati CEO and controlling owner
Moderated by MLSsoccer.com’s The Callup host Susannah Collins
WHEN: Monday, April 12 at 1:30 p.m. ET
Media Members are asked to register for the availability in advance. Please contact MLS Communications for registration details.
Professional Referees Organization Presentation and Media Availability
PRO General Manager Howard Webb will be joined by FIFA official and 2020 MLS Referee of the Year Ismail Elfath for a presentation that highlights the continued success of video review in MLS, VAR training throughout the Concacaf region, and the advancement of officials earning international assignments to major global competitions. Following the presentation Webb and Elfath will be available for questions from the media.
WHO: Howard Webb, General Manager of Professional Referees Organization, Ismail Elfath, PRO Referee
WHEN: Monday, April 12 at 2:30 p.m. ET
Media Members are asked to register for the availability in advance. Please contact MLS Communications for registration details.
MLS Competition & Player Presentations
World Cup veteran and MLS SVP of Competition Jeff Agoos will present the new initiatives that continue to place MLS at the forefront of innovation in soccer and player safety. In addition, MLS Senior Vice President of Player Relations Dimitrios Efstathiou will present information on MLS roster-building mechanisms and MLS player trends before participating in a moderated discussion with Philadelphia Union Sporting Director Ernst Tanner.
WHO: Jeff Agoos, Sr. Vice President of Competition, Medical Administration, Dimitrios Efstathiou, Sr. Vice President of Player Relations & Competition, Ernst Tanner, Philadelphia Union Sporting Director
WHEN: Monday, April 12 at 3 p.m. ET
Media Members are asked to register for the availability in advance. Please contact MLS Communications for registration details.
Tuesday, April 13
Welcome Austin FC: Media Availability with Austin FC’s Minister of Culture Matthew McConaughey
As MLS gets set to welcome 2021 expansion team Austin FC for their inaugural year, the club’s Owner and Minister of Culture, Matthew McConaughey, will be available to media to talk about the club, Q2 Stadium, and what fans can expect from Austin’s inaugural season.
WHO: Matthew McConaughey, Austin FC Owner and Minister of Culture
WHEN: Tuesday, April 13 at 1 p.m. ET
Media Members are asked to register for the availability in advance. Please contact MLS Communications for registration details.
DE CERCA | MLS Player Roundtable en Español
Moderated by MLS Español’s Kristel Valencia, the Spanish-language player roundtable will feature a trio of standouts discussing the 2021 season in general, the outlook for their respective clubs, and the ongoing influx of talented young Latin Americans who are making MLS their League of Choice.
WHO: Andres Perea, Orlando City, Alan Pulido, Sporting Kansas City, Emanuel Reynoso, Minnesota United FC
Moderated by MLS Español’s Kristel Valencia
WHEN: Tuesday, April 13 at 2 p.m. ET
Media Members are asked to register for the availability in advance. Please contact MLS Communications for registration details.
The Future is Now – Rising Stars of MLS Panel presented by Audi
As MLS has continued its commitment to player development through the MLS NEXT platform, media will have the opportunity to hear from three of the rising stars of MLS who have developed through MLS club academies and are making an impact on the field for club and country.
WHO: Jesús Ferreira FC Dallas, Paxten Aaronson, Philadelphia Union, Kevin Paredes, D.C. United
Moderated by ESPN’s Taylor Twellman
WHEN: Tuesday, April 13 at 2:30 p.m. ET
Media Members are asked to register for the availability in advance. Please contact MLS Communications for registration details.
Wednesday, April 14
Players Virtual Press Conferences
Ahead of the 2021 MLS season kick off on April 16, media will have the opportunity to speak with a selection of Major League Soccer’s top stars in a virtual press conference setting. Translation will be provided. Media Members are asked to register for the availability in advance. Please contact MLS Communications for registration details.
WHEN: Wednesday, April 14
Eastern Conference Players: 1 - 2 p.m. ET
Western Conference Players: 3:45 – 5 p.m. ET
Media Members are asked to register for the availability in advance. Please contact MLS Communications for registration details._
Eastern Conference
Aaron Long, New York Red Bulls Defender
Donovan Pines, D.C. United Defender
Brenner, FC Cincinnati Forward
Western Conference
Javier Hernández, LA Galaxy Forward
Sebastian Lletget, LA Galaxy Midfielder
Cristian Roldan, Seattle Sounders FC, Midfielder
Carlos Vela, Los Angeles FC Forward
Mark-Anthony Kaye, Los Angeles FC Midfielder
**Player press conference appearances and order is subject to change.
Reigning Audi Golden Boot Winner Diego Rossi Press Conference
Ahead of the 2021 MLS season kick off on April 16, media will have the opportunity to speak the reigning Audi Golden Boot winner, Los Angeles FC’s Diego Rossi. Translation will be provided.
WHEN: Wednesday, April 14 at 5 p.m. ET (immediately following the Western Conference Players press conferences)
Media Members are asked to register for the availability in advance. Please contact MLS Communications for registration details.
Thursday, April 15
Head Coach Virtual Press Conferences
Ahead of the 2021 MLS season kick off on April 16, media will have the opportunity to speak with a selection of Major League Soccer’s head coaches in a virtual press conference setting.
Media Members are asked to register for the availability in advance. Please contact MLS Communications for registration details.
12:45 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. ET
Peter Vermes, Sporting Kansas City Manager and Sporting Director
Bruce Arena, New England Revolution Sporting Director and Head Coach
Phil Neville, Inter Miami CF Head Coach
Jim Curtin, Philadelphia Union Head Coach
Wilfried Nancy, CF Montréal Head Coach
Josh Wolff, Austin FC Head Coach
3:45 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. ET
Greg Vanney, LA Galaxy Head Coach
Brian Schmetzer, Seattle Sounders FC Head Coach
Bob Bradley, Los Angeles FC Head Coach
**Player press conference appearances and order is subject to change.
