The 2012 MLS schedule was published this morning. A couple of nice surprises, a little disappointment, but over all I think it’s a good schedule for Seattle.
Prior to the MLS schedule we have the Champions League quarter final home and away legs. That has the potential to really open the season up in a big way. Win over the two games and it’s into the last four and that is a big deal. additionally, in August through October there is the group stages for the 2012-2013 Champions League that the Sounders have already qualified for, no play-in game this year. and somewhere in this there will be open cup. A fourth US Open cup in a row would be tough, but they are holders until someone knocks them out.
The league has given us a schedule that supports Seattle being successful in this competition, and that’s huge. They have a bye weekend between the two quarter final legs, and no east coast travel after the NYRB game in July.
What else do I see as good.
- Midweek games: I love big midweek games under the lights, it creates a special atmosphere.
- We host LA and Salt Lake twice, and only play at their place once each. Will this finally be the year we give LA the spanking they deserve?
- The three opening league games are Toronto, Houston and San Jose at home. Three winnable games and a chance to banish the slow start we’ve seen for each of the last two seasons.
- Then next home game is Colorado, I hope it’s a Seattle team that’s on a roll and a loud building that welcomes Brian Mullan (if he makes the trip this time) to Seattle.
- In May there is a series of tough home games. LA on a Wednesday night, Philadelphia three days later and then Salt Lake the following weekend. By the time we get to the middle of that month we will see what this Sounders team is made of, if they really are the contenders we believe.
- Final two games of the regular season are doozies, hosting Dallas and then away at LA. I assume the league hopes this could be for the Supporters Shield, dare we dream?
Disappointments are few.
- The obvious one is playing Vancouver and Portscum twice away, but only once at home. I’m interested to see how the supporters groups determine what counts for the Cascadia Cup this year, all games or just one home and one away.
A few games got circled on the calendar today and other than the Cascadia games, I think this is a great schedule for Seattle.
- Sat. March 17 Toronto FC
- Fri. March 23 Houston
- Sat. March 31 San Jose
- Sat. April 14 Colorado Rapids
- Wed. May 2 L.A. Galaxy
- Sat. May 5 Philadelphia Union
- Sat. May 12 Real Salt Lake
- Wed. May 23 Columbus
- Wed. June 20 Kansas City
- Sat. July 7 Colorado Rapids
- Wed. July 18 Real Salt Lake
- Sun. Aug. 5 L.A. Galaxy
- Sat. Aug. 18 Vancouver Whitecaps
- Sat. Sept. 8 Chivas
- Sun. Sept. 23 San Jose
- Sun. October 7 Portland Timbers
- Sun. October 21 FC Dallas
- Sun. October 28 at L.A.
Related articles
- Here is your Sounders FC schedule for the 2012 MLS season (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
- 2012 MLS Schedule Released: Sounders, Toronto FC Get First Week Byes (sbnation.com)
- 2012 New Year’s resolutions for each of the 19 MLS teams (goal.com)
- Some quick thoughts on the 2012 schedule (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
2 Comments
I am so anticipating the 2012 Sounders year. I agree that in may we will know if this team will be part of the championship mix. it’s going to be excitng and I am ready for march GO SOUNDERS
If the league keeps expanding I’d love balanced schedules within conferences and no interconference play. Save that for the playoffs and make it meaningful. Promote the open cup as the nationwide knockout across all levels of play. Less travel, better local rivalries, not just PDX and VAN, but also San Jose, LA and so on.