The 2019 MLS schedule was released on Monday and fans can start planning their weekends for this upcoming season.
In the case of those clubs facing the toughest schedules of 2019, they can use all the help they can get from supporters in the stands. The MLS schedule is broken up pretty simply: Every team plays conference opponents either twice and they face out-of-conference teams just once. So not every schedule is made the same, making the strength of schedule calculation all the more interesting.
Another factor that throws a wrench into this calculation is that there will be a new team in MLS this year. Though FC Cincinnati are on every team's schedule, their effect on this number could not be calculated.
Below you'll find the complete table, calculated by taking the 2018 average points per game at home and on the road for each team's opponent.
The figures are even closer than usual, as an extra conference matchup that could sway averages has been eliminated.
The New York Red Bulls will be heading into 2019 with what appears to be the easiest schedule, while Orlando City SC has toughest. This should not be considered a surprise due to their records in 2018, as the Red Bulls have the benefit of not having to play themselves and the Lions can't benefit from playing one of the league's worst teams.
