When MLS kicks off its 16th season on March 15th, the LA Galaxy will be in Seattle facing the Sounders on ESPN. The match is slated to kick off at 6:30pm, and begins First Kick week presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods. This puts the Galaxy in company with LA’s National League Baseball Club, who also open their season on ESPN.
↵The Galaxy swept the Sounders in their playoff series, taking the away match 1-0 on an Edson Buddle goal and the home match 2-1, taking the series 3-1 on aggregate. Sounders FC will be looking for revenge, while the Galaxy begin their defense of the 2010 Supporter’s Shield.
↵Landon Donovan and David Beckham of the LA Galaxy will only have to wait five days until March 20th and their home opener against the New England Revolution at Home Depot Center. The Sunday 5pm match is in the ESPN2 Game of the Week slot. While no official announcement has been made, it’s likely the Galaxy’s first two matches will be given a national broadcast.
↵MLS will stick with the balanced schedule this year, which each side getting a home and home with every club in the league. This makes the season 34 games long after the addition of Portland and Vancouver. Depth will be more important than ever, with the Galaxy locked in to CONCACAF Champions League matches as well as US Open Cup matches. Since the Galaxy automatically qualified for the Group stage, this means the Galaxy are looking at a minimum of 41 matches this year.