MLS Multiplex
Fansided

MLS is Back: The three best days to look forward to

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: Carlos Vela #10 of Los Angeles FC celebrates his goal with Diego Rossi #9, to take a 1-0 lead over the Los Angeles Galaxy, during the first half of the Western Conference Semifinals at Banc of California Stadium on October 24, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: Carlos Vela #10 of Los Angeles FC celebrates his goal with Diego Rossi #9, to take a 1-0 lead over the Los Angeles Galaxy, during the first half of the Western Conference Semifinals at Banc of California Stadium on October 24, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
LAFC, MLS
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 24: Los Angeles FC team celebrate a goal by forward Carlos Vela (10) during a MLS Western Conference semifinal match between the Los Angeles FC and the Los Angeles Galaxy on October 24, 2019, at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Saturday, July 18th

The premier match-up of the group stage deserves a prime slot. And of course, this being the ever-commercially-aware MLS, El Trafico was provided precisely that: a Saturday night, 10:30 PM EST kick-off time, which is a 7:30 PM kick-off time in Los Angeles.

More from MLS Multiplex

LAFC and the LA Galaxy routinely play out the most invigorating and gripping matches in MLS. They are hotly contested, full of high-quality moments, featuring some of the best players in the league, and oftentimes are determining crucial positions in the standings. Across ESPN and ESPN Deportes, last year’s playoff El Trafico was the most-watched playoff game in league history excluding MLS Cups.

MLS randomly drew these teams together for a reason. The entire aim of this tournament is to recoup as much of the $1 billion in lost revenue as possible. And that means getting the best matches on television. It was inevitable that LAFC and the Galaxy were to be ‘drawn’ against one another. And now that they have been handed a Saturday night slot, this will likely be the most-watched game of the group stages.

This Saturday also features the other game of the group: Portland Timbers versus Houston Dynamo. No team was shafted by the draw as badly as Houston, but they are dangerous, especially if Darwin Quintero finds his 2018 form. Portland, meanwhile, will be looking to go very far indeed.

Home/MLS News