Top Things to Watch on MLS Opening Weekend
Faceoff between Familiar Foes
Saturday, Feb. 26 (3:30 p.m. ET, Univision / TUDN / Twitter - English Audio)
A pair of game changing midfielders for club and country will go head-to-head against their former MLS teams on opening weekend, when U.S. Men’s National Team star Kellyn Acosta and the Los Angeles Football Club host Canadian stronghold Mark-Anthony Kaye and the Colorado Rapids at Banc of California Stadium.
The two are rising to the challenge in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, with Kaye holding it down for the region’s only unbeaten side in the No. 1 ranked Canadian Men’s National Team. Acosta, on the other hand, has led the USMNT to Concacaf Nations League and Gold Cup titles with a streak of 21 appearances in 2021 - the most by any player in 27 years.
Playing together after Kaye’s 2021 midseason departure from LAFC, the two led Colorado to a first place Western Conference finish and second place overall in league standings. Will Kaye continue to keep the Rapids rising or will Acosta’s versatility spark new magic in LAFC’s midfield?
Hope Springs Anew as New England Travels to Portland
Saturday, Feb. 26 (7:30 p.m. ET, FOX / FOX Deportes)
Closing out the opening day slate in primetime, the New England Revolution travel west to Providence Park to take on the MLS Cup runner-up Portland Timbers, who saw its bid for a second title fall short in penalties in November. Timbers midfielder Sebastián Blanco, who tied for the club lead with seven assists last season, returns, as does 21-year-old Santiago Moreno, who looks to build off a strong Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs run as he enters his first full MLS season.
The 2021 Supporters’ Shield winning Revolution set an MLS single-season record with 73 points last season and have reloaded entering the 2022 schedule, with new faces Jozy Altidore, Sebastian Lletget and Omar Gonzalez joining 2021 Landon Donovan MVP Carles Gil and Allstate MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Matt Turner in Foxborough.
Atlanta United Set to Draw Nearly 70,000-Fan Home Field Advantage
Sunday, Feb. 27 (3 p.m. ET, FS1 / FOX Deportes)
The Southern hospitality of soccer returns on opening weekend, with Atlanta United’s faithful supporters set to once again show up in droves for a home match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Currently tracking to host nearly 70,000 fans on Sunday against Sporting Kansas City, Atlanta United could boast one of the highest attended matches in the world, and it wouldn't be the first time.
NYCFC’s Title Defense Begins as High-Scoring Stars Face Off
Sunday, Feb. 27 (5 p.m. ET, ESPN / ESPN Deportes)
New York City FC opens its MLS Cup defense against Javier “Chicharito” Hernández and the LA Galaxy. Reigning Golden Boot winner Valentín “Taty” Castellanos led NYCFC to its first title in club history, scoring 19 goals and providing eight assists, and looks to be in strong form entering the season, scoring twice in NYCFC’s 2-0 victory over Santos de Guapíles in the 2022 Concacaf Champions League opener last week. Castellanos exploded out of the gate in 2021, scoring in four consecutive games to open the season.
Chicharito is also no stranger to a hot start, as he began the 2021 MLS season with five goals in LA Galaxy’s first two matches, including a hat trick against New York Red Bulls (4/25/21). Hernández, who tied for third in MLS with 17 goals last season, will be joined by the dynamic Brazilian winger Douglas Costa as the club looks to return to the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs in 2022.
MLS is Back Media Availabilities
Ahead of Major League Soccer’s 27th season kickoff this weekend, MLS continues virtual panels and media availabilities. Details for each session – including today’s MLS Commissioner media availability – are available here.
MLS Season Preview Soundbytes: What Superstar Players & Head Coaches Are Saying
Get it straight from the source, as MLS’ high-profile players and head coaches talk about their preparations for the 2022 MLS season. DOWNLOAD VIDEO SOUNDBYTES HERE.
Player soundbytes include goalkeeper Matt Turner (New England Revolution) and forwards Josef Martínez (Atlanta United), Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas), and Javier “Chicharito” Hernández (LA Galaxy).
Soundbytes from head coaches include Bob Bradley (Toronto FC), Nico Estevez (FC Dallas), Steve Cherundolo (LAFC), and Phil Neville (Inter Miami CF).
**IMPORTANT REMINDER**: Media must LOGIN or REGISTER HERE_ to access and download content. Media will be able to access content once their account has been approved. Create an account and Access Video by clicking here._
More MLS Storylines to Follow This Season
Explosive Growth Continues with the Debut of Charlotte FC
*Major League Soccer’s explosive growth continues in 2022 with the debut of expansion club Charlotte FC. Uniting the Carolinas under one club, Charlotte FC will kick off against D.C. United this weekend before celebrating their inaugural home match on March 5, hosting the LA Galaxy in front of an expected MLS record-breaking crowd of nearly 75,000 fans.
The Most Entertaining League in the World
One of the highest-scoring leagues in the world, MLS is also viewed as one of global soccer’s most entertaining. With competitive balance in MLS unmatched by any other major soccer league, every club comes into the season believing they can compete for a championship. The last five MLS Cups have been won by five different clubs, and six different teams have won the Supporters’ Shield across the past six seasons.
MLS Homegrown Players Stepping into the Spotlight
Major League Soccer has set forth a thoughtful strategy that includes a massive investment in player development and has brought rise to international star athletes making a major impact for club and country. Just last season, 30% of MLS rosters were comprised of Homegrown players developed in MLS academies competing on the MLS NEXT platform. That number is up 45% compared to just two years prior, and the world is taking notice.
While top clubs around the world are targeting players grown and developed in MLS, including high-price transfers such as Ricardo Pepi, even more young players are emerging and ready to take over the spotlight on MLS rosters, including but not limited to FC Dallas forward Jesús Ferreira, LA Galaxy defender Julian Araujo, San Jose Earthquakes forward Cade Cowell and Chicago Fire FC goalkeeper Gabriel “Gaga” Slonina.
Celebrity Owners in MLS
Major League Soccer clubs have become an attractive investment and during the past year, more MLS teams have added celebrities -- film, music, and sports stars -- to their ownership groups.
MLS Club / Celebrity/Athlete Owner(s)
Austin FC / Matthew McConaughey
D.C. United / Yo Gotti, Mark Ingram
Houston Dynamo / James Harden, Oscar de la Hoya
Inter Miami CF / David Beckham
Sporting Kansas City / Patrick Mahomes
LAFC / Will Ferrell, Magic Johnson, Mia Hamm and Nomar Garciaparra
Philadelphia Union / Kevin Durant
Real Salt Lake / Dwayne Wade
Seattle Sounders / Russell Wilson and Ciara, Drew Carey, Ken Griffey Jr., Macklemore
Vancouver Whitecaps FC / Steve Nash
How to Cover the 2022 MLS Season
To assist in your coverage of the 2022 MLS season, the MLS Communications staff has provided the following media resources, all of which are available on MLSSoccer.com/Media-Resources:
For more information about the 27th MLS Season, visit www.MLSsoccer.com.
