Toronto FC announced Wednesday that the team will open the home portion of the 2010 MLS season on Saturday, April 17 against the expansion Philadelphia Union. Kick-off time for this Week 4 match is TBD.
Toronto FC previously announced that they will open the season on Saturday, March 27 against the Columbus Crew, followed by a Saturday, April 10 date in New England to face the Revolution. The later than usual start date at home for Toronto is due to the installation of the grass pitch at BMO Field.
"We are really looking forward to hosting the league's newest addition on April 17," said senior director business operations Toronto FC Paul Beirne. "We know their supporters group, the Sons of Ben, will come to Toronto so this will be a great day; not only because it will open another season here at BMO Field, but it will be our first match on the new grass field."
Philadelphia, who joins the MLS Eastern Conference, will travel to Toronto after opening their season on Thursday, March 25 at Seattle, followed by a home match at Lincoln Financial Field against D.C. United.
Each team will play 30 regular season games and play each team twice (home and away). The complete MLS 2010 Regular Season schedule will be announced by February 2010.
Toronto FC plays their final regular season home game of 2009 this Saturday as they welcome Real Salt Lake. Kick-off is 4 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on CBC Television, and The FAN 590 Radio. Toronto is still one of nine teams vying for four remaining playoff spots. Only the New York Red Bulls and San Jose Earthquakes are mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.
