MLS 2021 Eastern Conference - Preview

The preseason has started, the teams are doing the last preparations ahead of a long-awaited season and the expectations are raising among fans and experts. The MLS 2021 couldn’t come sooner as we are all looking forward to another fantastic season. Which players are there to look out for, who will have their break-through season and which teams are best prepared for the long journey towards the MLS Cup final in December? Follow Livesportsontv.com as we take a look at what to come this season and go through everything you’ll need to know ahead of the new season.

This article will cover the Eastern Conference and be the first of two parts in our MLS 2021 season preview. The first round of games will be played on April 17^th and the regular season will run until November 17^th. The teams will play a total of 34 games each, 17 home games and 17 away games. The top seven teams, after the regular season is played, will advance to the MLS Cup Playoffs. Teams on position 7^th – 3^rd will qualify for the first round of the Playoffs while the 1^st and 2^nd placed teams will find themselves in the Conference Semifinals.
As in previous seasons teams on 2^nd – 5^th place from both the Eastern and the Western Conference will qualify for the 2022 Leagues Cup while the 1^st placed teams will play in the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League.

Important dates

16^th – 18^th April – Opening weekend

20^th – 29^th August – Heineken Rivalry Week

7^th November – Decision Day

19^th November – MLS Cup Playoffs

11^th December – MLS Cup

There will be two stadium openings in the Eastern Conference this season. First out is FC Cincinnati as they enter the new West End Stadium on May 16^th. The 26 000-seat stadium broke ground in the end of 2018 and has cost around $250 million to build. The West End Stadium will be one of the largest sole-soccer stadiums in the MLS and a new permanent home for FC Cincinnati who played its games on Nippert Stadium in the two previous seasons.
On July 3^rd it’s the reigning MLS Cup champions time to run out in their new stadium, the New Columbus Crew Stadium. The new stadium will replace the Mapfre Stadium where the Crew has been playing since 1999. The New Columbus Crew Stadium will have a capacity of 20 000 and will cost around $314 million to build.

Eastern Conference - Teams

Atlanta United
CF Montréal
Chicago Fire FC
Columbus Crew SC
D.C. United
FC Cincinnati
Inter Miami CF
Nashville SC
New England Revolution
New York City FC
New York Red Bulls
Orlando City SC
Philadelphia Union
Toronto FC

Where can I watch the MLS 2021 on TV & live streaming?

There are a couple of things to keep in mind if you are to follow the upcoming MLS season live on TV or live streaming. To start with, a list of games will be available for anyone who’s in possession of an antenna or an internet connection, that is Fox, ABC, UniMas, Twitter and Univision will all feature games for free. And for all of us who want nonstop action and access to every second of the season ESPN+, ESPN and FS1 are the sources to go with.
If you’re watching the MLS from Canada, it will be CTV, TSN and RDS that have you covered.

MLS TV AND LIVE STREAMING SCHEDULE

MLS 2021 - Opening weekend

16^th April
Houston Dynamo FC vs San Jose Earthquakes
Seattle Sounders FC vs Minnesota United FC

17^th April
CF Montréal vs Toronto FC
Orlando City SC vs Atlanta United FC
Los Angeles Football Club vs Austin FC
FC Dallas vs Colorado Rapids
New York Red Bulls vs Sporting Kansas City
D.C. United vs New York City FC
Nashville SC vs FC Cincinnati
Chicago Fire FC vs New England Revolution

18^th April
Inter Miami CF vs LA Galaxy
Columbus Crew SC vs Philadelphia Union
Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs Portland Timbers

Author: Dan Anderson