MLS Heineken® Rivalry Week kicks off this Friday, July 8 through Sunday, July 17
World-class superstars and young newcomers to make MLS debuts
NEW YORK (July 6, 2022) – Pride is on the line, as MLS Heineken® Rivalry Week highlights the fiercest matchups throughout MLS from Friday, July 8 through Sunday, July 17.
With the top rivalries played out across 10 days, the anticipation for the 2022 edition of Heineken® Rivalry Week is magnified by the arrival of world-class midseason signings, including World Cup-bound superstars Héctor Herrera (Houston Dynamo FC) and Gareth Bale (Los Angeles Football Club), as well as players like international icon Giorgio Chiellini and 23-year-old Juan Camilo “Cucho” Hernández (Columbus Crew).
Whether in stadium or at local viewing parties, MLS Heineken® Rivalry Week will be felt from coast to coast. Fans can follow the sights and sounds of MLS Heineken® Rivalry Week on social media by using the hashtag #RivalryWeek, which will automatically populate an emoji on Twitter. In addition, MLS will curate Instagram and Snapchat stories with content that covers the games in real-time, while also chronicling the history of select rivalry matchups on IG reels and TikTok.
The action kicks off Friday night with an MLS Heineken® Rivalry Week doubleheader on ESPN and ESPN Deportes. Beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET, D.C. United with their sensational newcomer Taxiarchis “Taxi” Fountas and his nine goals and three assists travel to face a staunch Philadelphia Union side featuring the league’s top-ranked defense that has allowed the fewest goals in MLS this season (13). And that’s only the beginning. The second game of the doubleheader features El Tráfico out in Los Angeles with the LA Galaxy and Javier “Chicharito” Hernández facing cross-town rivals Los Angeles Football Club at 10 p.m. ET. Already a must-see match, the game sets the scene for the debut of international icons Gareth Bale and Giorgio Chiellini.
This Saturday promises an entire day of historic and regional rivalries alike. The games begin at 1 p.m. ET with 2021 MLS Cup champion New York City Football Club hosting 2021 Supporters Shield winners New England Revolution live on Univision and TUDN, and Twitter for English audio. Following that match, Cascadia captures the FOX and FOX Deportes spotlight as the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League victors Seattle Sounders FC host the Portland Timbers (July 9, 4:30 p.m. ET), followed by a full complement of rivalry favorites available nationally on ESPN+.
Midweek Heineken® Rivalry Week games will give fans massive moments with Austin FC and star Sebastián Driussi playing host to Houston Dynamo FC as Mexican National Team captain Héctor Herrera gets set for his second appearance in MLS play on Tuesday, July 12 (9 p.m. ET, Univision, TUDN, Twitter for English audio). Wednesday action will bring fans the friendliest rivalry in sports with Minnesota United hosting Sporting Kansas City on ESPN and ESPN Deportes at 8 p.m. ET followed the California Clasico of LA Galaxy hosting the San Jose Earthquakes at 10 p.m. ET on FS1 and FOX Deportes.
After another full Saturday of MLS action that includes the high-stakes Canadian matchup of CF Montréal vs. Toronto FC, Heineken® Rivalry Week comes to an exciting close on July 17. In the final day of rivalry action, New York Red Bulls and showstopping Brazilian midfielder Luquinhas welcome New York City FC to Red Bull Arena (5 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN Deportes) and Columbus Crew will introduce 23-year-old Designated Player Juan Camilo “Cucho” Hernández in a charged environment against in-state rivals FC Cincinnati (July 17, 7:30 p.m. ET, FS1/FOX Deportes).
MLS Heineken® Rivalry Week Events
For the first time since 2019, MLS Heineken® Rivalry Week is bringing the thrill to both home and away markets with live activations that will build the atmosphere through local watch parties in Cincinnati, Houston, Los Angeles, New York City, Orlando, and Washington, D.C. The league’s largest watch party is set to take place on July 17 on Orlando’s iconic Wall Street, where seven venues in one single downtown location will create a rivalry-centric viewing destination – complete with Heineken® beer and activations, as Orlando City SC squares off against Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
This duel of the South will also bring Heineken® Rivalry Week festivities to Atlanta’s supporters through a massive block-party style fan experience that will take over the Interlock in Atlanta’s West Midtown neighborhood. The Heineken®-themed space will be designed to celebrate supporter culture and will feature a custom rivalry-themed t-shirts, music and DJs on stage that represent Atlanta United in addition to dedicated VIP spaces, and a custom-built Heineken bar that will serve Heineken®, Heineken® Light, and Heineken® 0.0.
MLSsoccer.com will provide an immersive second-screen fan experience with “MLS Heineken® Rivalry Week Watchalong Shows” on MLS Twitch and MLS YouTube channels on July 9 (7 p.m. to 12 a.m. ET) and July 13 (8 p.m. to 12 a.m. ET). The shows will feature live analysts reacting to all capturing the energy and excited of familiar foes across the league, as well as live cut-ins across every game, including goals, saves, and key moments.
More MLS Heineken® Rivalry Week information is available at MLSsoccer.com.
