In L.A., Kevin Baxter reported MLS expansion club LAFC will play their "home opener at Banc of California Stadium on April 29" against the Sounders. LAFC co-Owner & President Tom Penn said that the club's $350M home will be "completed a couple of weeks ahead of schedule and is expected to open on budget." That is a "break from recent history in MLS, which in the last 14 years has had the opening of 10 soccer-specific stadiums delayed until at least a quarter of the league schedule had been played." LAFC will play "at least five games on the road" before their home opener. But with the stadium completion "pushed up from late May, the team will be able to play all 17 of its regular-season home games at Banc of California" (L.A. TIMES, 12/19).
SEARCH CONTINUES: In DC, Steven Goff notes DC United will "play its home opener March 17" against the Dynamo, but is still "in the process of finalizing" the venue. Audi Field is "not scheduled to open until late June," and United also is finalizing a venue for an "additional home game in the spring." Sources said that Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis is "not available March 17 but is the front-runner for the second home date." Maryland SoccerPlex in Montgomery County and RFK Stadium, United's home for 22 seasons, are "among the candidates to stage the opener" (WASHINGTON POST, 12/20). Meanwhile, in Raleigh, Luke DeCock reports United has "reached out" to USL club North Carolina FC about "playing its 'home' opener at WakeMed Soccer Park in March" while Audi Field is being built (Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER, 12/20).
OTHER DATES CONFIRMED: In Portland, Tim Brown reports the Timbers will "play their first home game of the season" April 14 when they host Minnesota United. The Timbers' home opener has been "pushed back due to ongoing construction for phase one of the stadium expansion at Providence Park" (Portland OREGONIAN, 12/20)....Toronto FC begins the defense of its MLS Cup on March 3 against the Crew. The game will mark the "first time in club history" that TFC will open at BMO Field (CP, 12/19).
