January 21, 2010
SOME KEY DATES
For MLS season this year

Here are some key dates for MLS this season.

Jan. 21 – April 15: Primary registration window (Players under contract in other countries may be signed by MLS clubs)

Jan. 22: Teams permitted to begin preseason training

Feb. 25 & 27: Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic near Orlando, Fla. (FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, New York Red Bulls and Toronto FC)

March 1: Roster and Salary Budget Compliance Deadline (20 senior, 4 developmental players)

March 9: CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal: Columbus Crew vs. Toluca (Mexico) (8 p.m. ET, FSC)

March 13-20: Carolina Challenge Cup at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, S.C. (D.C. United, Real Salt Lake, Toronto FC and Charleston Battery)

March 17: CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal: Columbus Crew vs. Toluca (Mexico) (8 p.m. ET, FSC)

March 25: First Kick 2010 – Philadelphia at Seattle (9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2/Deportes)

March 27-28: MLS opening weekend

March 27: Opening of Red Bull Arena as the Red Bulls host the Chicago Fire (7 p.m. ET, ESPN2/Deportes)

May 16: FIFA mandated final match day at club level for players pre-selected for the World Cup

June 11: The World Cup begins and MLS takes a two-week break in league play

June 12: U.S. National Team begins group play in the World Cup against England (2:30 p.m. ET)

June 18: USA vs. Slovenia, World Cup (10 a.m. ET)

June 23: USA vs. Algeria, World Cup (10 a.m. ET)

June 26: MLS play resumes

July 11: World Cup final - Johannesburg, South Africa

TBD (Late July/early August): MLS All-Star Game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas

TBD (Late July through August): SuperLiga 2010 (MLS clubs: Chicago Fire, Chivas USA, Houston Dynamo, New England Revolution)

July 27: CONCACAF Champions League - Preliminary round (LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders FC)

Aug 5: CONCACAF Champions League – Group Stage (Columbus Crew and Real Salt Lake)

Oct. 24: MLS regular season ends

Oct. 28-30: MLS Cup playoffs begin

Nov. 21: MLS Cup (neutral site TBD)