We are less than 24 hours away from the 24th season of Major League Soccer. Naturally, 24 teams will compete, thanks to the addition of
FC Cincinnati to the ranks. If you’re reading this, you’ve probably already got a case of MLS Fever, thanks to CONCACAF Champions League fever over the past two weeks.
Recapping 2018:
MLS Cup: Atlanta United (69 points, 2nd East) def Portland Timbers (54 points, 5th West) 2-0
Golden Boot/MVP winner: Josef Martinez, Atlanta United
Supporters’ Shield: New York Red Bulls (71 pts)
US Open Cup: Houston Dynamo def. Philadelphia Union, 3-0
New for 2019:
Hashtag Emojis!
New Playoff Format! Ridiculous as it seems, the playoffs have expanded from 12 to 14 teams, 7 in each conference. The big change is that all rounds are now single elimination, so the regular season will be more important, as homefield advantage is much greater in a 1-off than in 2 game aggregate series. This also condenses the end of the season, meaning we will get MLS Cup almost a full month earlier, November 10th.
Atlanta United might have lost their manager to Mexico and their playmaker to Newcastle United, but it’s hard to look past this bunch to be near the top again. They certainly shouldn’t sink to the depth that 2017 champs Toronto FC, who have sold Sebastian Giovinco and looked like a basketcase in exiting the Champions League prematurely.
Other departures:
David Villa to Japan
Tyler Adams to Leipzig
Alphonso Davies to Bayern Munich
Ola Kamara to China.
Zlatan is back, Wayne Rooney is back, Carlos Vela is back, so let’s MLS.
5dimes lines
New York Red Bulls +500
Atlanta United +600
LA Galaxy +650
Los Angeles FC +800
New York City FC +900
Seattle Sounders +1000
Portland Timbers +1250
Sporting Kansas City +1400
Toronto FC +1500
FC Dallas +2000
Philadelphia Union +2000
DC United +2750
Columbus Crew +3500
Montreal Impact +5250
Real Salt Lake +5500
Chicago Fire +5500
Houston Dynamo +7000
FC Cincinnati +7500
New England Revolution +8000
Vancouver Whitecaps +9000
Minnesota United +10000
San Jose Earthquakes +11000
Colorado Rapids +15000
Orlando City +15000
Week 1 Fixtures and USATV info:
Saturday, March 2, 2019
1 p.m. – Philadelphia Union vs. Toronto FC (Talen Energy Stadium)
2:30 p.m. – Orlando City SC vs. New York City FC (Orlando City Stadium) UNIVISION
4:30 p.m. – Columbus Crew SC vs. New York Red Bulls (MAPFRE Stadium)
4:30 p.m. – FC Dallas vs. New England Revolution (Toyota Stadium)
6 p.m. – Houston Dynamo vs. Real Salt Lake (BBVA Compass Stadium)
6 p.m. – Colorado Rapids vs. Portland Timbers (Dick’s Sporting Goods Park)
6 p.m. – Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Minnesota United FC (BC Place)
8 p.m. – LA Galaxy vs. Chicago Fire (Dignity Health Sports Park) FS1
10 p.m. – Seattle Sounders FC vs. FC Cincinnati (CenturyLink Field) FS1
10 p.m. – San Jose Earthquakes vs. Montreal Impact (Avaya Stadium)
Sunday, March 3, 2019
6 p.m. – D.C. United vs. Atlanta United (Audi Field) ESPN
8 p.m. – LAFC vs. Sporting Kansas City (Banc of California Stadium) ESPN
CONCACAF Champions League QUARTERFINALS 1st Leg
Tuesday March 5
8PM
New York Red Bulls vs Santos Laguna
10PM
Houston Dynamo vs Tigres
Wednesday March 6
8 PM
Independiente vs Sporting Kansas City
10 PM
Monterrey vs Atlanta United