The 2007 MLS season will kick off Saturday, April 7 at brand new Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo., as the Colorado Rapids host D.C. United in a match that will air live on ABC.
Eleven of the league's 13 teams announced their season and home openers Monday. The Rapids and United will get the 2007 campaign underway at 3:30 p.m. ET; the Rapids' new 18,000-seat soccer-specific stadium will be on display under the national spotlight against four-time MLS Cup champions and winners of the 2006 Supporters' Shield.
Also on April 7, Toronto FC will make their MLS debut. The Canadian club will travel to The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., to face Chivas USA at 10:30 p.m. ET.
Two other games are on the schedule for the first day of the 2007 season. The New York Red Bulls visit the Columbus Crew (7 p.m. ET) to kick off Bruce Arena's first full season at the helm of the club and the New England Revolution visit the Chicago Fire.
Houston Dynamo will begin the defense of their MLS Cup title on Sunday, April 8, against the Los Angeles Galaxy at Robertson Stadium at 7 p.m. ET. The Galaxy will be in action again four days later in their home opener against the Red Bulls at 10 p.m. ET.
Because there will be an odd number of teams in 2007, one team will have a bye each weekend. The Kansas City Wizards will sit out the first weekend of play and will make their 2007 debut under new head coach Curt Onalfo on Saturday, April 14, at D.C. United. That game will be United's 2007 home opener.
Two more teams make their home debuts that weekend. The Revolution will hold their home opener on April 14, when they host Toronto as part of a doubleheader that will also feature a U.S. women's national team friendly.
Toronto FC won't make their first appearance at their new soccer-specific stadium, BMO Field, until Saturday, April 28, against the Wizards in what will be the unofficial opening of the stadium. BMO Field's official grand opening comes two weeks later on May 12.
The Wizards will be the final team to make their home debut. They're slated to host the Crew on May 5 at a location to be determined. FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake will announce their home openers in the near future.
The remainder of the 2007 MLS regular season schedule will be announced at a later date. Each team is due to play a 30-game slate.
Jason Halpin is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
