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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) /
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COLUMBUS, OH – AUGUST 10: Columbus Crew SC forward Pedro Santos #7 celebrates a goal during the match between Columbus Crew SC and FC Cincinnati at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on August 10, 2019. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – AUGUST 10: Columbus Crew SC forward Pedro Santos #7 celebrates a goal during the match between Columbus Crew SC and FC Cincinnati at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on August 10, 2019. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1. Saturday, July 11th

MLS is Back is a contorted, commercial, money-obsessed tournament. It will be billed as a competition of genuine sporting integrity, but it isn’t. The only reason it is being played is because MLS is financially on its knees and ESPN is desperate to get games on a network that has been starved of all live sport.

Despite the obvious business-fied nature of the competition, once the games start, the excitement will inevitably arise. And is the case with every summer competition like the World Cup or European Championships, there is one day early on that often signals the beginning of the tournament. On this occasion, it is the first Saturday of action.

While Orlando City and Inter Miami open proceedings three days prior, bar the odd game, the first day with genuine skin in the game is Saturday, July 11th. It features to key rivalries that MLS is attempting to bill as key games. First, the New York Red Bulls play Atlanta United. This has been the defining rivalry of the Eastern Conference ever since Atlanta entered the league. Second, the Hell is Real Derby between the Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati.

dark. Next. MLS is Back: 3 new Designated Players to watch

This is the first premier day of MLS action. If the tournament is to be a success, this must be a home-run double-header.

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