Union to open second season in Houston; home opener set for March 26 against Vancouver

Philadelphia Union will kick off the 2011 season against the Houston Dynamo at Robertson Stadium on Saturday, March 19 at 8:30 p.m. EST, the League announced today.  

The Union will return home to PPL Park to face Major League Soccer newcomer Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday, March 26 at 4:00 p.m. 

MLS’ 16th season begins Tuesday, March 15, 2011 when Seattle Sounders FC host the LA Galaxy live on ESPN at 9:30 p.m. ET.

All 18 clubs will take the field during the opening “First Kick” week as they embark on a 34-game, balanced regular season in which every club will face each other twice – once at home, once on the road.

Both group and individual tickets for the March 26th home opener will go on sale in January.  Tickets for the entire PPL Park regular season will be available by early February once the complete MLS schedule has been announced. 

The schedule for all home openers is below. Although MLS will schedule games on FIFA friendly dates, no games will be scheduled on FIFA World Cup Qualifying dates.

Home club listed first, in bold; All times Eastern; Schedule subject to change:

Tuesday, March 15

Seattle Sounders FC vs. LA Galaxy, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Saturday, March 19

Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Toronto FC, time TBD

D.C. United vs. Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m. 

New York Red Bulls vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 7:30 p.m.

FC Dallas vs. Chicago Fire, 8:30 p.m.

Houston Dynamo vs. Philadelphia Union, 8:30pm

Colorado Rapids vs. Portland Timbers, 9 p.m.

Chivas USA vs. Sporting Kansas City, 10:30 p.m.

San Jose Earthquakes vs. Real Salt Lake, 10:30 p.m. 

Sunday, March 20

LA Galaxy vs. New England Revolution, 9 p.m.

Saturday, March 26

Chicago Fire vs. Sporting Kansas City, 4 p.m. 

Columbus Crew vs. New York Red Bulls, 4 p.m.

Philadelphia Union vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 4 p.m.

Toronto FC vs. Portland Timbers, time TBD

New England Revolution vs. D.C. United, time TBD 

Real Salt Lake vs. LA Galaxy, 9 p.m.

Thursday, April 14

Portland Timbers vs. Chicago Fire, 11 p.m. 

Thursday, June 9

Sporting Kansas City vs. Chicago Fire, time TBD