2024 Major League Soccer Schedule Released

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The 2024 Major League Soccer (MLS) schedule was released on Wednesday, January 18th, 2023. The season will begin on Saturday, March 2nd, and will end on Sunday, October 6th. The playoffs will begin on Monday, October 14th, and the MLS Cup will be played on Saturday, November 2nd. Preseason games will begin as early as Feb. 15 when teams will travel for matches in Central America and the Caribbean.

All 29 teams will play a 34-game regular season, with each team playing 17 games at home and 17 games on the road. The top seven teams from each conference will qualify for the playoffs. The top two teams from each conference will receive a bye to the conference semifinals, while the other five teams will play in the first round of the playoffs.

The regular-season schedule will feature a number of rivalries, including the El Tráfico derby between the Los Angeles Galaxy and LAFC, the Cascadia Cup rivalry between the Seattle Sounders, Vancouver Whitecaps, and Portland Timbers, the Texas Derby between FC Dallas and the Houston Dynamo, and the Rocky Mountain Cup rivalry between the Colorado Rapids and Real Salt Lake.

2024 MLS Schedule

The 2024 Major League Soccer (MLS) schedule was released on January 18th, 2023.

Season begins: March 2nd
Season ends: October 6th
Playoffs begin: October 14th
MLS Cup: November 2nd
Number of games: 34
Playoff teams: Top 7 from each conference
Regular season rivalries: El Tráfico, Cascadia Cup, Texas Derby, Rocky Mountain Cup
Preseason games: Begin February 15th

The schedule features a number of high-profile matchups, including the El Tráfico derby between the Los Angeles Galaxy and LAFC.

Season begins: March 2nd

The 2024 MLS season will begin on Saturday, March 2nd. This is the earliest start date for the MLS season since 1996, when the league began on March 16th.

Earlier start date:
The earlier start date is intended to give MLS teams more time to prepare for the FIFA World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 8th to July 8th, 2026.
More time for rest and recovery:
The earlier start date will also give MLS teams more time to rest and recover during the season. In recent years, MLS teams have had to play a congested schedule, with some teams playing three games in a week.
More opportunities for international players:
The earlier start date will also give MLS teams more time to scout and sign international players. This could lead to an increase in the number of high-quality players in the league.
More fan engagement:
The earlier start date will give MLS fans more opportunities to watch their favorite teams play. This could lead to increased attendance and TV ratings.

The earlier start date for the 2024 MLS season is a positive step for the league. It will give teams more time to prepare for the World Cup, rest and recover during the season, scout and sign international players, and engage with fans.

Season ends: October 6th

The 2024 MLS regular season will end on Sunday, October 6th. This is the latest end date for the MLS regular season since 2019, when the season ended on October 6th.

The later end date is intended to give MLS teams more time to rest and recover before the playoffs. In recent years, MLS teams have had to play a congested schedule at the end of the season, with some teams playing three games in a week.

The later end date will also give MLS teams more time to prepare for the CONCACAF Champions League, which begins in February of the following year. MLS teams that qualify for the Champions League typically have to play their first matches in late February or early March.

The later end date for the 2024 MLS regular season is a positive step for the league. It will give teams more time to rest and recover before the playoffs and the CONCACAF Champions League.

The 2024 MLS season will be the longest in league history, with 34 regular season games. The previous longest season was in 2023, when teams played 32 regular season games.

Playoffs begin: October 14th

The 2024 MLS playoffs will begin on Monday, October 14th. This is the same start date as the 2023 MLS playoffs.

The top seven teams from each conference will qualify for the playoffs. The top two teams from each conference will receive a bye to the conference semifinals, while the other five teams will play in the first round of the playoffs.

The first round of the playoffs will be played over two legs, with the higher seed hosting the second leg. The conference semifinals and conference finals will be played over two legs as well, with the higher seed hosting the second leg.

The MLS Cup, the championship game of the MLS season, will be played on Saturday, November 2nd. The MLS Cup will be hosted by the team with the best regular season record.

The MLS playoffs are a single-elimination tournament, meaning that the team that loses a game is eliminated from the tournament. The playoffs are a very exciting time for MLS fans, as the best teams in the league compete for the championship.

MLS Cup: November 2nd

The MLS Cup is the championship game of the MLS season. It is played between the winners of the Eastern and Western Conferences.

Date and location:
The 2024 MLS Cup will be played on Saturday, November 2nd, at the stadium of the team with the best regular season record.
Format:
The MLS Cup is a single-elimination game. If the game is tied after 90 minutes, there will be two 15-minute overtime periods. If the game is still tied after overtime, the game will be decided by a penalty shootout.
History:
The MLS Cup was first awarded in 1996. The Los Angeles Galaxy have won the most MLS Cups, with five titles.
Significance:
The MLS Cup is the most prestigious trophy in American soccer. It is a symbol of excellence and achievement.

The 2024 MLS Cup is sure to be an exciting and memorable event. The best teams in the league will be competing for the championship, and the atmosphere will be electric.

Number of games: 34

Each team in the MLS will play 34 games in the 2024 regular season. This is the same number of games that teams played in the 2023 regular season.

Home and away games:
Each team will play 17 games at home and 17 games on the road.
Balanced schedule:
The MLS schedule is balanced, meaning that each team will play every other team in their conference twice, and each team will play one team from the other conference twice.
Rivalry games:
The MLS schedule also features a number of rivalry games, such as the El Tráfico derby between the Los Angeles Galaxy and LAFC, and the Cascadia Cup rivalry between the Seattle Sounders, Vancouver Whitecaps, and Portland Timbers.
Playoff implications:
Every game in the MLS regular season is important, as teams are vying for a spot in the playoffs. The top seven teams from each conference will qualify for the playoffs.

The 34-game regular season will give MLS teams plenty of opportunities to showcase their skills and compete for a spot in the playoffs.

Playoff teams: Top 7 from each conference

The top seven teams from each conference will qualify for the MLS playoffs in 2024. This is the same number of playoff teams as in previous seasons.

The top two teams from each conference will receive a bye to the conference semifinals, while the other five teams will play in the first round of the playoffs.

The MLS Cup, the championship game of the MLS season, will be played on Saturday, November 2nd. The MLS Cup will be hosted by the team with the best regular season record.

Regular season rivalries: El Tráfico, Cascadia Cup, Texas Derby, Rocky Mountain Cup

The MLS regular season features a number of rivalries that add excitement and intensity to the games. Some of the most notable rivalries include:

El Tráfico: This is the rivalry between the Los Angeles Galaxy and LAFC. It is one of the most intense rivalries in MLS, as both teams are located in the same city and compete for the same fans. The rivalry has been heated since LAFC joined MLS in 2018, and the two teams have played some memorable games.
Cascadia Cup: This is the rivalry between the Seattle Sounders, Vancouver Whitecaps, and Portland Timbers. It is one of the oldest rivalries in MLS, dating back to the early days of the league. The three teams are all located in the Pacific Northwest, and they compete for the Cascadia Cup, which is awarded to the team with the best record against the other two teams.
Texas Derby: This is the rivalry between FC Dallas and the Houston Dynamo. It is one of the most physical rivalries in MLS, as both teams are known for their aggressive style of play. The two teams are located in the state of Texas, and they compete for the Texas Cup, which is awarded to the team with the best record against the other team.
Rocky Mountain Cup: This is the rivalry between the Colorado Rapids and Real Salt Lake. It is one of the most unique rivalries in MLS, as both teams are located in the Rocky Mountains. The two teams have a long history of competing against each other, and the rivalry is always intense.

These are just a few of the many rivalries that make the MLS regular season so exciting. These rivalries add an extra level of intensity to the games, and they help to create a passionate atmosphere in the stadiums.

Preseason games: Begin February 15th

MLS preseason games will begin on February 15th, 2024. This is earlier than in previous years, as MLS teams are preparing for the FIFA World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 8th to July 8th, 2026.

Preseason games give MLS teams an opportunity to prepare for the regular season. Teams typically play a number of preseason games against other MLS teams, as well as teams from other countries.

Preseason games are also a good opportunity for fans to get a first look at their team’s new players and see how the team is shaping up for the upcoming season.

Some MLS teams will travel to Central America and the Caribbean for preseason games. This is a good opportunity for teams to experience different cultures and compete against teams from different countries.

Preseason games are an important part of the MLS calendar. They give teams a chance to prepare for the regular season and fans a chance to get excited for the upcoming season.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about the 2024 MLS season:

Question 1: When does the 2024 MLS season start?
Answer 1: The 2024 MLS season begins on Saturday, March 2nd.

Question 2: When does the 2024 MLS season end?
Answer 2: The 2024 MLS regular season ends on Sunday, October 6th. The playoffs begin on Monday, October 14th, and the MLS Cup will be played on Saturday, November 2nd.

Question 3: How many games will each team play in the 2024 MLS season?
Answer 3: Each team will play 34 games in the regular season, with 17 games at home and 17 games on the road.

Question 4: How many teams will qualify for the playoffs in 2024?
Answer 4: The top seven teams from each conference will qualify for the playoffs.

Question 5: What are some of the rivalries to watch for in the 2024 MLS season?
Answer 5: Some of the rivalries to watch for in the 2024 MLS season include El Tráfico, the Cascadia Cup, the Texas Derby, and the Rocky Mountain Cup.

Question 6: When do preseason games begin in 2024?
Answer 6: Preseason games begin on February 15th, 2024.

Question 7: Will the 2024 MLS season be impacted by the FIFA World Cup?
Answer 7: Yes, the 2024 MLS season will be impacted by the FIFA World Cup. The regular season will end earlier than usual, on October 6th, to allow players to participate in the World Cup. The playoffs will begin on October 14th, and the MLS Cup will be played on November 2nd.

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These are just a few of the frequently asked questions about the 2024 MLS season. For more information, please visit the MLS website.

Now that you know more about the 2024 MLS season, here are a few tips for making the most of it:

Tips

Here are a few tips for making the most of the 2024 MLS season:

Tip 1: Buy tickets early. MLS games are becoming increasingly popular, so it’s important to buy tickets early to get the best seats. You can purchase tickets online or through the team’s ticket office.

Tip 2: Arrive early. This will give you time to soak up the atmosphere and find your seat. You may also be able to catch a glimpse of the players warming up.

Tip 3: Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be doing a lot of walking at the stadium, so make sure you wear comfortable shoes. You may also want to bring a hat and sunscreen, especially if you’re sitting in the sun.

Tip 4: Be respectful of the players and other fans. MLS games are a family-friendly environment, so be respectful of the players and other fans. This means no swearing, no fighting, and no throwing objects.

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By following these tips, you can make sure that you have a great time at the 2024 MLS season.

The 2024 MLS season is shaping up to be an exciting one. With new teams, new players, and new rivalries, there’s sure to be something for everyone. So make sure to mark your calendars and get your tickets early.

Conclusion

The 2024 MLS season is shaping up to be an exciting one. With new teams, new players, and new rivalries, there’s sure to be something for everyone.

The season will begin on March 2nd and end on October 6th. The playoffs will begin on October 14th and the MLS Cup will be played on November 2nd. Each team will play 34 games in the regular season, with 17 games at home and 17 games on the road. The top seven teams from each conference will qualify for the playoffs.

Some of the rivalries to watch for in the 2024 MLS season include El Tráfico, the Cascadia Cup, the Texas Derby, and the Rocky Mountain Cup. Preseason games will begin on February 15th, 2024.

The 2024 MLS season will be impacted by the FIFA World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 8th to July 8th, 2026. The regular season will end earlier than usual, on October 6th, to allow players to participate in the World Cup. The playoffs will begin on October 14th, and the MLS Cup will be played on November 2nd.

So mark your calendars and get your tickets early. The 2024 MLS season is one that you won’t want to miss.