SEATTLE, WASH. – Major League Soccer today announced its 2021 regular season schedule, a campaign that sees each of its 27 clubs play 34 matches – 17 home and 17 away – beginning on April 16 and concluding on November 7, with an emphasis on intra-conference regional play. Seattle Sounders FC has 14 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 Minnesota United FC on April 16 at Lumen Field. All other matches are being carried throughout the state of Washington via a variety of viewing and listening options, which will be fully announced by the club prior to the start of the new campaign.
SOUNDERS FC 2021 SCHEDULE: https://sndrs.com/64nzbg
Kicking off the year on April 16, the MLS season gets off to a fast start with seven uninterrupted weeks of action, including some of the league’s top regional rivalries, before a break to allow MLS players to feature for their national teams during the June FIFA international window. This opening stretch sees ABC, FOX and Univision each broadcast four matches, with an additional 18 matches showcased on the ESPN, FS1, UniMás and TUDN networks through Memorial Day weekend. During this period, Seattle plays in front a network television audience for the first time on May 9, as the Rave Green face longtime nemesis Portland at Providence Park on ABC. Brian Schmetzer’s side is set to feature on the network national stage once again that same month, hosting Atlanta United on May 23 at Lumen Field on FOX.
As always, Sounders FC's six 2021 Cascadia matchups against Portland and Vancouver are highlights of the schedule, including a trio of nationally televised fixtures against the Timbers and a road Decision Day matchup with Vancouver. In addition to the May 9 match (ABC), the Rave Green take on the Timbers at Providence Park on August 15 (FS1). Seattle then plays host to Portland on August 29 (ESPN). The Rave Green host Vancouver on June 26 and September 15 before hitting the road for Decision Day on November 7.
Eight of Seattle’s first 13 matches are at Lumen Field, including matchups with both LA Galaxy on May 2 (FS1) and LAFC on May 16 (FS1), in addition to expansion side Austin FC on May 29. The Rave Green are set to play seven of their final 10 matches on the road, in addition to a rematch of the 2020 MLS Cup Final against Columbus Crew SC on August 21 at New Crew Stadium on network FOX.
Of Sounders FC's 14 nationally televised fixtures, six matches are airing on FS1 with two more on FOX, as well as five on ESPN and one ABC. A partner since the league’s inception, the ABC and ESPN networks will showcase five regular season matches over-the-air on ABC this season, the most since 1998.
In a final day of action on Sunday, November 7, all teams face intra-conference opponents on Decision Day in a battle for playoff spots and seeding. In two back-to-back broadcast windows, each conference will see their games kick off simultaneously to determine who is in, and who is out of the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs. Kickoff times and broadcast details are being announced at a later date. The top seven teams from each conference qualify for the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs, set to begin on November 19. More information about the league’s postseason schedule is being announced at a later date.
Following a 2020 season played almost exclusively in closed-door matches due to COVID-19, the club is working with the State of Washington and Public Health – Seattle & King County to welcome fans back in-stadium in a limited capacity in 2021. Further details regarding attending matches is forthcoming.
Season Memberships are still available, with more information at SoundersFC.com or by calling 877-MLS-GOAL. For complete information, details and pricing for 2021 Sounders FC Season Memberships, fans should call 877-MLS-GOAL or email Sales@SoundersFC.com. Ticket package details can be found at SoundersFC.com/Tickets.
