Whitecaps host Minnesota to open 2019 season while Toronto, Montreal start on road

The league only announced its home openers on Thursday. The complete regular season schedule, along with national television information, will be announced in January.

Vancouver, which is marking the 40th anniversary of the city’s 1979 NASL Soccer Bowl title, will visit Real Salt Lake on March 9.

“We’re building a team that will be proud to wear the crest on their chest,” new Whitecaps coach Marc Dos Santos said in a statement. “There is a true passion for the club in Vancouver, and that brings a big responsibility to set a very high standard and live up to that support.

“We want to hear the fans in the stadium as we build towards a future that we hope will once again bring a championship to this city.”

Vancouver is 2-1-1 against Minnesota in MLS play and 5-2-1 in home openers since joining the league.

Each team will play 34 games — 17 at home games and 17 away. Clubs will face each of their conference opponents twice during the season with one game at home and one game away. All teams will face each non-conference opponent once.

Cincinnati will open at home March 17 when the Portland Timbers visit Nippert Stadium. Portland’s home opener is not until June 1 against LAFC because Providence Park is undergoing a 4,000-seat expansion.

Minnesota will unveil Allianz Field in St. Paul on April 13 against New York City FC.

WEEK 1 (All times ET)

Saturday, March 2, 2019

Philadelphia Union vs. Toronto FC at Talen Energy Stadium, 1 p.m.

Orlando City SC vs. New York City FC at Orlando City Stadium, 2:30 p.m.

Columbus Crew SC vs. New York Red Bulls at MAPFRE Stadium, 4:30 p.m.

FC Dallas vs. New England Revolution at Toyota Stadium, 4:30 p.m.

Houston Dynamo vs. Real Salt Lake at BBVA Compass Stadium, 6 p.m.

Colorado Rapids vs. Portland Timbers at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, 6 p.m.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Minnesota United FC at B.C. Place Stadium, 6 p.m.

L.A. Galaxy vs. Chicago Fire at Dignity Health Sports Park, 8 p.m.

Seattle Sounders FC vs. FC Cincinnati at CenturyLink Field, 10 p.m.

San Jose Earthquakes vs. Montreal Impact at Avaya Stadium, 10 p.m.

Sunday, March 3

D.C. United vs. Atlanta United at Audi Field, 6 p.m.

LAFC vs. Sporting Kansas City at Banc of California Stadium, 8 p.m.

WEEK 2

Saturday, March 9

Chicago Fire vs. Orlando City SC at SeatGeek Stadium, 1 p.m.

New England Revolution vs. Columbus Crew SC at Gillette Stadium, 2 p.m.

Real Salt Lake vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Rio Tinto Stadium, 6 p.m.

Sunday, March 10

New York City FC vs. D.C. United at Yankee Stadium, 3 p.m.

Sporting Kansas City vs. Philadelphia Union at Children’s Mercy Park, 3 p.m

Atlanta United vs. FC Cincinnati at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, 5 p.m.

WEEK 3

Saturday, March 16

New York Red Bulls vs. San Jose Earthquakes at Red Bull Arena, TBD

Sunday, March 17

Toronto FC vs. New England Revolution at BMO Field, 1:30 p.m.

FC Cincinnati vs. Portland Timbers at Nippert Stadium, 5 p.m.

Also

Saturday, April 13

Montreal Impact vs. Columbus Crew SC at Saputo Stadium, 1 p.m.

Minnesota United FC vs. NYCFC at Allianz Field, 5 p.m.

Saturday, June 1, 2019

10:30 p.m. – Portland Timbers vs. LAFC (Providence Park)

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Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Whitecaps host Minnesota to open 2019 season while Toronto, Montreal start on road

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