‘Caps fans will be like kids on Christmas morning today as
the 2015 MLS regular season schedule
was announced by the league.
The home opener against Toronto FC
will have already have been on many fans’ to-do list, whilst
visits from the likes of Seattle Sounders, LA Galaxy and NYCFC will also no doubt be marked in their calendars
.
But it’s not just at BC Place that the team will be banking on your support this season. Last year, the 'Caps on Tour followed the team across the continent, showing up everywhere from Chicago to San Jose to support the Blue and White. So, which away days standout for the season ahead? From spring sunshine to revenge on the road, join us as we count up our air miles and run the rule over five road trips to look out for in 2015.
March 21 vs. Orlando City SC at Citrus Bowl
Who doesn’t like the sound of a spring break in the Sunshine State? But the ‘Caps early season road trip to league new boys Orlando will be anything but a holiday for the squad. The team knows the importance of a good start and will be looking to hit the ground running with their second away day of the 2015 campaign as they attempt to overcome Kaka and co. during their first ever visit to the Citrus Bowl.
April 11 vs. San Jose at Avaya Stadium
After bidding goodbye to the Buck, the club’s home for the past six years, San Jose Earthquakes will play their home games out of the newly built Avaya Stadium starting this season. San Jose has always been a popular roadtrip for fans and a visit to the newly opened 18,000 seat arena complete with its steep-raked seating and an outdoor bar that’s being billed as “the biggest in North America” is sure to make it one of the bigger away days in 2015.
May 2 vs. Portland Timbers at Providence Park
Though the ‘Caps beat their Cascadia rivals to a playoff berth in 2014, the trio of matches against the Timbers offered a mixed bag for Carl Robinson’s team with
a hard fought 4-3 victory back in June
giving way
to a duo of 3-0 defeats in the latter half of the season.
It’s a record that everyone at the club will be looking to set straight in 2015, including our fans who like nothing more than getting one of our rivals in their own backyard.
August 1 vs. Seattle Sounders FC at CenturyLink Field
The team’s sole trip to CenturyLink Field in 2015 will no doubt stir up memories of last year’s stunning 1-0 win, which crowned the ‘Caps Kings of Cascadia for a second consecutive season. Memorable for Manneh’s cool finish, Kianz Froese’s debut and Kendall’s commanding performance; it was an extra special night for the hundreds of fans who’d made the trip to support the team against one of their biggest rivals. With the Cup once again on the line, this roadtrip will be front of mind for the players as well as the fans who’ll make the short trip up the I-5 to cheer on the boys in Blue and White.
October 14 vs. FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium
They say that revenge is a dish that’s best served cold, but given the temperate Texan climate the ‘Caps might be a little hot under the collar (for more than one reason) when they make the trip to Toyota Stadium in October. This after all was the site of the ‘Caps controversial defeat against FC Dallas last year, a painful playoff exit that’s sure to add some extra edge to an already important end of season encounter.
That controversial penalty, however,
is just the latest chapter in a rivalry that’s been quietly brewing for over recent years.
From Kendall Waston’s tussles with Blas Perez to Martyn Pert’s final whistle fisticuffs with Oscar Pareja, tensions between these two teams have been growing for a couple of seasons now. Throw in last season’s emotional exit, which is sure to still be fresh in the players’ minds, and this one’s shaping up to be something of a grudge match.
What road trips are you most looking forward to in 2015? Let us know the away days that you've marked on your calendars in the comments below.