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Less than three months have passed since Atlanta United won their first MLS Cup, but it's already time to start a new season.
The MLS 2019 edition brings more teams, a new format for the playoffs and a host of new recruits. It all starts this weekend when the Philadelphia Union hosts Toronto FC at Talen Energy Stadium.
Here's everything you need to know before the upcoming season.
New teams
With the arrival of FC Cincinnati, MLS now has 24 teams. Ohio is only the second state after Texas and California to count several teams in the league. The league will reach 26 teams next season with the arrival of Inter Miami and Nashville SC, before the entry of Austin FC in 2021.
New playoff format
An expanded league also means a revised format of the playoffs. Starting this season, a total of 14 teams will qualify for the playoffs, two more than in the last four seasons. Seven teams will play in the playoffs of each conference. The first team of each of the two conferences will play a pass for the first round.
The second seeded team will play the seventh seed, third in the sixth seeded club, and fourth and fifth seeded face-to-face. The winner of this last match will then face the team with the best record of the conference.
Favorite Titles
According to OddsChecker, the New York Red Bulls are 5/1 favorites to win the MLS Cup, just ahead of Atlanta United. The Five Stripes won their first MLS Cup last year in their second season of the league. Chances are 6/1 to retain the title, the same chances as the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Los Angeles FC is 8/1, followed by New York at 9/1 and Seattle Sounders at 10/1.
TV and live stream information
ESPN, Fox Sports and Univision to provide national league coverage this season
Fans can also watch the action on Fox Soccer Match Match, on WatchESPN and on the ESPN app. MLS off-market games will be streamed on ESPN +, while MLSsoccer.com and the MLS app will broadcast games for off-market viewers.
All games will be available for live streaming on FuboTV, Sling TV and some games will also be broadcast live on Twitter.
Opening weekend schedule
Philadelphia vs Toronto, Saturday 1 pm ET (6abc, MLS Live on ESPN +)
Orlando vs. New York City FC, Saturday 2:30 pm ET (Univision, Twitter)
Columbus vs. Red Bulls New York, Saturday at 4:30 pm ET (Ohio SportsTime, MSG, MLS Live on ESPN +)
FC Dallas vs. New England, Saturday at 4:30 pm ET (Texas 21, Boston NBC Sports, MLS Live on ESPN +)
Colorado vs. Portland, Saturday at 6pm ET (Altitude, Roots Sports NW, MLS Live on ESPN +)
Houston vs Real Salt Lake, Saturday at 6 pm ET (KUBE 57, KMYU, MLS Live on ESPN +)
Vancouver vs. Minnesota, Saturday at 6 pm ET (Fox Sports North, MLS live on ESPN +)
LA Galaxy vs. Chicago Fire, Saturday at 8 pm ET (Fox Sports 1, Fox Deportes)
San Jose vs. Montreal, Saturday at 10 pm ET (NBC Sports California, MLS Live on ESPN +)
Seattle vs. FC Cincinnati, Saturday at 10 pm ET (Fox Sports 1, Fox Deportes)
D.C. United vs. Atlanta United, Sunday at 3 pm ET (ESPN, ESPN Deportes)
Los Angeles FC vs. Sporting Kansas City, Sunday at 8:30 pm ET (ESPN, ESPN Deportes)
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