Where to watch MLS opening weekend, schedule, start time: LAFC vs. Minnesota United kickoff league’s action

Saturday the 30th season of Major League Soccer starts with Los Angeles FC with Minnesota United. While initially Lionel Messi and Inter Miami would kick off the season before them Concacaf Champions Cup Match Was postponed, but there will be no shortage of Star Power when the competition starts.

From faces in new places such as Lucho Acosta in Dallas, Jesus Ferreira in Seattle and Evander in Portland to the big name Coaching Hires such as Gregg Berhalter to Chicago and Bruce Arena in San Jose. Even a big return to Miguel Almiron returns to Atlanta United. The stage is set for a fairly opening weekend of playing, but let’s look at some things to pay attention to.

MLS Award Predictions: Can Lionel Messi Win MVP with Inter Miami and Gregg Berhalter’s Coach of the Year Case

Chuck Booth

San Diego agrees with the competition

While San Diego has to wait until Sunday to start their inaugural journey in MLS, there is a lot to be found in the new team of Mikey Varas – maybe not their sweater. Hirving Lozano is Quite a star to lift their team in the inaugural season of San DiegoBut there are other solid additions such as Luca de la Torre who can make this a side to view this season. The schedule structure has been slow, but a deliberate build that could pay for dividends.

All eyes on Miami

After establishing an MLS point record last season, Inter Miami was beaten from the play -offs to Atlanta United in the first round. The disappointment has led a new manager to take over in Javier Mascherano. The loss of Leonardo Campana and Diego Gomez will leave questions that must be answered for Miami, but luckily for them who are easier to do with Lionel Messi on the field. The Argentinian will not be able to do everything, where Miami has to show that they are a complete team to meet expectations so that the club can win everything on their way.

Spend expenses

This has been a low season for the centuries with four of the top 10 incoming transfers that once took place for this season. Great expectations will be on Emmanual Latte Lat, Kevin Denkey and Hirving Lozano, all of whom participated from abroad for major costs, but FC Cincinnati also established a domestic record en route. Teams can now acquire a maximum of two players for cash in a season that Cincinnati used to acquire Evander from the Portland Timbers. They needed him with Acosta who left for FC Dallas, but with this new spending mechanism Cincy was able to spend a record of $ 12 million on an MLS team for his services. Although a transaction like this may seem common abroad, this is the first time that MLS teams have been able to spend cash to acquire a player within the competition who sets a new market in the process.

MLS Opening Weekend schedule

Always east, all competitions are available on MLS Season Pass

Saturday, February 22

Los Angeles FC vs. Minnesota United, 4:45 pm
Inter Miami vs. New York City FC, 7:30 PM
Columbus vs. Chicago Fire, 7:30 PM
Atlanta United vs. CF Montreal, 7:30 PM
Orlando City vs. Philadelphia Union, 7:30 PM
FC Cincinnati vs. New York Red Bulls, 7:30 PM
DC United vs. Toronto FC, 7:30 PM
Austin FCVS. Sporting Kansas City, 8:30 PM
Nashville SC vs. New England Revolution, 8:30 PM
Houston Dynamo vs. FC Dallas, 8:30 PM
St. Louis City SC vs. Colorado Rapids, 8:30 PM
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Real Salt Lake, 10.30 pm
Seattle Sounders vs. Charlotte FC, 10.30 pm

Sunday, February 23

Portland Timbers vs. Vancouver Whitecaps, 4 p.m.
La Galaxy vs. San Diego FC, 7 pm