MLS announces April 3 kick off for 2021 season originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
Major League Soccer is officially back for its 26th season.
In a statement released on Monday, the league announced a number of key dates for the 2021 season, despite lingering concerns over Covid-19 and an ongoing dispute with the MLS Players Association over their collective bargaining agreement.
The first game of the 2021 season is set to kick off on Saturday, April 3 with teams permitted to begin preseason training on Feb. 22. With Austin FC making joining the Western Conference for its inaugural season, each of the league's 27 teams will play 34 regular season matches culminating on Decision Day, which is slated for Nov. 7.
The 2021 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs will begin on Nov. 19 with the MLS Cup champion scheduled to be crowned on Dec. 11.
The league previously announced that the season would start as normal in March. But the delayed start increases the likelihood that this season will see fans in the stands as vaccines against the coronavirus are rolled out. It also might signal an attempt to give the league's owners firmer footing as foreign clubs in the final stretch of their campaigns look to acquire American talent through short-term loans.
Seattle Sounders and U.S. men's national team winger Jordan Morris was loaned out to Swansea City of the English Championship - the second-tier league in England. D.C. United midfielder Paul Arriola has also been linked to the Swans, with D.C. United general manager Dave Kasper confirming on Friday that talks were underway for a potential loan spell for the 25-year-old.
The delayed start also gives D.C. United and new head coach Hernán Losada six weeks to prepare for the regular season, as well as a larger window to make any offseason acquisitions.
In Monday's statement, the league acknowledged that it has yet to agree to terms with the MLSPA stating:
"MLS continues to meet with the Major League Soccer Players Association and players to discuss working together to put MLS on a secure footing given the unprecedented impact of COVID-19. On January 5 MLS presented the MLSPA with a proposal that committed to paying the players 100% of their salaries this year, in return for a two-year extension of the MLS Collective Bargaining Agreement. The MLSPA provided a response to the league’s proposal January 23. Although no agreement has been reached, MLS is committed to meet as many times as necessary with the MLSPA in the coming days to finalize an agreement."
In addition to regular-season competition, the league still plans to hold the MLS All-Star Game, Campeones Cup and Leagues Cup during the summer months. The league will announce the complete 2021 regular-season schedule in the coming weeks.
