The 25th season of Major League Soccer is set to resume.
On Thursday, MLS announced the schedule for the initial phase of the continuation of the 2020 regular season in home markets, outlining six fixtures for Sounders FC that will count toward the Western Conference standings.
Following the club’s run at the MLS is Back Tournament, the Sounders sit 5th in the Western Conference. Included in the league’s announcement is a restructuring of postseason competition, with nine teams from each conference qualifying for the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.
Seattle’s six matches for the phase one restart include some fascinating matchups against Western Conference rivals.
Kicking things off is a Cascadia rivalry match against the Timbers. The Sounders have enjoyed thrilling matchups against their neighbors to the South over the years, making the game at Portland on August 23 (7:00 p.m. PT; FS1, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM) must-watch viewing.
The reigning MLS Cup champs face a quick turnaround for their second match as they’ll head to Southern California to take on the LA Galaxy on August 26 (TBD; JOEtv, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM) before returning home for a 2019 Western Conference Final rematch against LAFC at CenturyLink Field on August 30 (7:00 p.m. PT; FS1, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM).
The Sounders will then return to the road for a game against Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium on September 2 (6:30 p.m. PT; Q13, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM) before wrapping-up with a two game home stand against the Timbers on September 6 (7:00 p.m. PT; JOEtv, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM) and San Jose Earthquakes on September 10 (7:00 p.m. PT; JOEtv, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM).
More matches for the Sounders will be unveiled as the league continues to chart its full course for a resumption of the regular season.
You can find more information on the club’s phase one schedule HERE.
