December 23 – Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami will be the first MLS team in action in 2025 – of course – kicking off the season on February 22 at home to New York City FC at the Chase Stadium.
The MLS plays its season across the calendar year though is discussing switching to the European timetable.
The current annual calendar in the past has seen the league play throughout the Gold Cup, though this year it will break from June 14 to 24. The Gold Cup features numerous player from the MLS playing for Concacaf nations. The break will cover the bulk of group games but not the knock-out rounds.
In 2025 the Gold Cup is programmed against by FIFA’s fledgling 32-team Club World Cup format. Inter Miami and
The main casualty of a packed 2025 schedule appears to be the Leagues Cup – the month-long match-up between the MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX sides. That competition has been reduced in numbers and will be played as mid-week fixtures.
The Leagues Cup Organizing Committee announced last week that it will be played July 29 to August 31, 2025. The exact format and schedule will be announced in the new year. It will still qualify three berths to the Concacaf Champions Cup to the Leagues Cup champion and second and third-place finishers.
2025 is the 30th season for the MLS and will see its 30th franchised club begin play. San Diego will open away to 2024 MLS Cup winners LA Galaxy.
Opening schedule
All times Eastern
Saturday, Feb. 22
Miami vs. New York City FC, 2:30 p.m.
LAFC vs. Minnesota United, 4:30 p.m.
Atlanta United vs. Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
Cincinnati vs. NY Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.
Columbus Crew vs. Chicago Fire, 7:30 p.m.
D.C. United vs. Toronto FC, 7:30 p.m.
Orlando City vs. Philadelphia Union, 7:30 p.m.
Austin FC vs. Sporting KC, 8:30 p.m.
Houston Dynamo vs. FC Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
Nashville SC vs. New England Revolution, 8:30 p.m.
St. Louis City FC vs. Colorado Rapids, 8:30 p.m.
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Real Salt Lake, 10:30 p.m.
Seattle Sounders vs. Charlotte FC, 10:30 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 23
Portland Timbers vs. Vancouver Whitecaps, 4 p.m.
LAFC vs. San Diego FC, 7 p.m.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734943697labto1734943697ofdlr1734943697owedi1734943697sni@n1734943697osloh1734943697cin.l1734943697uap1734943697
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