Major League Soccer today announced its 2019 regular season schedule, a campaign that sees each of its 24 clubs play 34 matches beginning on March 2 and concluding on October 6. Seattle Sounders FC has 11 matches slated for a national television audience on ESPN and FOX's family of networks, beginning with FS1 broadcasting the Rave Green's season opener against expansion side FC Cincinnati on March 2 at CenturyLink Field. As part of today’s schedule rollout, Sounders FC also announces that it is hosting Uruguayan club Nacional in a preseason friendly on Wednesday, February 20 at CenturyLink Field in a 7:30 p.m. PT kickoff.
As always, Sounders FC’s four 2019 Cascadia Cup matchups against Portland and Vancouver are highlights of the schedule, including a pair of nationally-televised fixtures against the Timbers, as Seattle faces their rival at home on July 21 (FS1) and away on August 23 (ESPN). This marks the return of the balanced schedule among Cascadia teams, following last season’s adjusted format due to Seattle playing Portland three times and Vancouver twice. The club’s home match against Whitecaps FC is slated for June 29 (TSN).
The 2019 MLS season introduces expansion side FC Cincinnati, bringing the league to a total of 24 clubs in its 24th campaign. This marks the second consecutive season and third all-time that Sounders FC has opened its regular season against an expansion side after hosting Los Angeles FC last year and the Philadelphia Union in 2010.
Ten of the club's final 13 matches of 2019 are against Western Conference opponents, culminating with a home match on Decision Day against Minnesota United FC on Sunday, October 6. Other 2019 season highlights include a matchup at CenturyLink Field with 2018 MLS Cup champion Atlanta United FC on July 14 on ESPN, as well as a rematch of the 2016 and 2017 MLS Cups against Toronto FC at home on Saturday, April 13. The Rave Green are set to face each of its Southern California rivals twice in a three-match span, beginning with its two fixtures against LAFC on April 21 (away) and April 28 (home), before facing the LA Galaxy later in the season on August 17 (away) and September 1 (home).
A complete listing of Sounders FC's 2019 regional broadcast details is set to be announced at a later date. Of Sounders FC's 11 nationally televised fixtures, six matches are airing on FS1, four on ESPN and one on ESPN2.
In 2019, MLS games will be televised in 21 primetime windows on FS1 and 13 in primetime on ESPN/ESPN2. Those 34 matches represent the most English language broadcasts in primetime since 2015. Over the course of the season, each club will play 34 games, including 17 homes games and 17 away games. Teams face each of their conference opponents twice and play each non-conference opponent once.
The regular season culminates with Decision Day on October 6, where all MLS clubs will compete in matches starting at 1:00 p.m. PT in the thrilling climax ahead of the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, which are scheduled to begin on October 19. The 2019 MLS Cup is set for November 10.
As part of its 2019 preseason preparations, Sounders FC is set to host Uruguayan club Nacional in a friendly at CenturyLink Field on Wednesday, February 20 at 7:30 p.m. PT. One of the most storied clubs in South America, Nacional has won the Uruguayan Primera División 46 times, in addition to three Copa Libertadores titles and three Intercontinental Cups. It is also the home club of Sounders FC midfielder Nicolás Lodeiro, who played in Nacional’s youth system from 2003-2007 before making 49 appearances with nine goals for the senior team from 2007-2010.
“One of our stated organizational goals has always been to play elite CONCACAF and CONMEBOL clubs whenever possible in order to prepare for both domestic success and a sustained high-level of performance against other top clubs from the Americas,” said Sounders FC General Manager & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey. “In hosting Nacional – one of South America’s storied clubs and an organization with close ties to Nico Lodeiro – we hope to both entertain our fans and sharpen our abilities against a quality side as we prepare for the 2019 season.”
Sounders FC begins its 2019 preseason on Tuesday, January 22 at Starfire Sports before traveling to out-of-town training camps in Orange County, California (January 24-February 2) and Tucson, Arizona (February 6-16). Prior to the start of camp, Sounders FC begins its preparations for the 2019 campaign with the adidas MLS Player Combine in Orlando from January 3-9 ahead of the first two rounds of the 2019 MLS SuperDraft on Friday, January 11. Seattle currently holds the 20th pick in the first round and the 44th overall pick in the second round.
Tickets for Sounders FC 2019 home matches are available exclusively through Sounders FC Season Memberships. Fans can purchase memberships online through SoundersFC.com/Membership.
2019 SOUNDERS FC MLS REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE
<strong>DAY</strong> |
<strong>DATE</strong> |
<strong>OPPONENT</strong> |
<strong>KICKOFF (PT) / NATIONAL TV</strong> |
<p>Wednesday</p> |
<p>February 20</p> |
<p>Club Nacional (FRIENDLY)</p> |
<p>7:30 p.m.</p> |
<p>Saturday</p> |
<p>March 2</p> |
<p>vs. FC Cincinnati</p> |
<p>7:00 p.m. / FS1</p> |
<p>Saturday</p> |
<p>March 9</p> |
<p>vs. Colorado Rapids</p> |
<p>7:00 p.m.</p> |
<p>Saturday</p> |
<p>March 16</p> |
<p>at Chicago Fire</p> |
<p>1:00 p.m.</p> |
<p>Saturday</p> |
<p>March 30</p> |
<p>at Vancouver Whitecaps FC</p> |
<p>7:00 p.m.</p> |
<p>Saturday</p> |
<p>April 6</p> |
<p>vs. Real Salt Lake</p> |
<p>7:00 p.m.</p> |
<p>Wednesday</p> |
<p>April 10</p> |
<p>at Colorado Rapids</p> |
<p>6:00 p.m.</p> |
<p>Saturday</p> |
<p>April 13</p> |
<p>vs. Toronto FC</p> |
<p>1:00 p.m.</p> |
<p>Sunday</p> |
<p>April 21</p> |
<p>at Los Angeles FC</p> |
<p>4:00 p.m. / FS1</p> |
<p>Wednesday</p> |
<p>April 24</p> |
<p>vs. San Jose Earthquakes</p> |
<p>7:30 p.m.</p> |
<p>Sunday</p> |
<p>April 28</p> |
<p>vs. Los Angeles FC</p> |
<p>12:30 p.m. / ESPN</p> |
<p>Saturday</p> |
<p>May 4</p> |
<p>at Minnesota United FC</p> |
<p>5:00 p.m.</p> |
<p>Saturday</p> |
<p>May 11</p> |
<p>vs. Houston Dynamo</p> |
<p>7:00 p.m.</p> |
<p>Wednesday</p> |
<p>May 15</p> |
<p>vs. Orlando City SC</p> |
<p>7:30 p.m.</p> |
<p>Saturday</p> |
<p>May 18</p> |
<p>at Philadelphia Union</p> |
<p>4:30 p.m.</p> |
<p>Sunday</p> |
<p>May 26</p> |
<p>at Sporting Kansas City</p> |
<p>3:00 p.m. / FS1</p> |
<p>Saturday</p> |
<p>June 1</p> |
<p>at FC Dallas</p> |
<p>5:00 p.m.</p> |
<p>Wednesday</p> |
<p>June 5</p> |
<p>at Montreal Impact</p> |
<p>4:30 p.m.</p> |
<p>Saturday</p> |
<p>June 29</p> |
<p>vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC</p> |
<p>7:00 p.m.</p> |
<p>Wednesday</p> |
<p>July 3</p> |
<p>at New York City FC</p> |
<p>4:00 p.m.</p> |
<p>Saturday</p> |
<p>July 6</p> |
<p>at Columbus Crew SC</p> |
<p>4:30 p.m.</p> |
<p>Sunday</p> |
<p>July 14</p> |
<p>vs. Atlanta United FC</p> |
<p>1:00 p.m. / ESPN</p> |
<p>Sunday</p> |
<p>July 21</p> |
<p>vs. Portland Timbers</p> |
<p>6:30 p.m. / FS1</p> |
<p>Saturday</p> |
<p>July 27</p> |
<p>at Houston Dynamo</p> |
<p>5:00 p.m.</p> |
<p>Sunday</p> |
<p>August 4</p> |
<p>vs. Sporting Kansas City</p> |
<p>7:00 p.m. / FS1</p> |
<p>Saturday</p> |
<p>August 10</p> |
<p>vs. New England Revolution</p> |
<p>1:00 p.m.</p> |
<p>Wednesday</p> |
<p>August 14</p> |
<p>at Real Salt Lake</p> |
<p>7:00 p.m.</p> |
<p>Saturday</p> |
<p>August 17</p> |
<p>at LA Galaxy</p> |
<p>7:00 p.m. / ESPN2</p> |
<p>Friday</p> |
<p>August 23</p> |
<p>at Portland Timbers</p> |
<p>7:00 p.m. / ESPN</p> |
<p>Sunday</p> |
<p>September 1</p> |
<p>vs. LA Galaxy</p> |
<p>3:00 p.m. / FS1</p> |
<p>Sunday</p> |
<p>September 15</p> |
<p>vs. New York Red Bulls</p> |
<p>12:30 p.m. / ESPN</p> |
<p>Wednesday</p> |
<p>September 18</p> |
<p>vs. FC Dallas</p> |
<p>7:30 p.m.</p> |
<p>Sunday</p> |
<p>September 22</p> |
<p>at D.C. United</p> |
<p>5:00 p.m.</p> |
<p>Sunday</p> |
<p>September 29</p> |
<p>at San Jose Earthquakes</p> |
<p>4:30 p.m.</p> |
<p>Sunday</p> |
<p>October 6</p> |
<p>vs. Minnesota United FC</p> |
<p>1:00 p.m.</p> |
