Vancouver Whitecaps FC announce 2017 MLS regular season schedule

2017 MLS schedule announcement

VANCOUVER, BC – In conjunction with Major League Soccer, Vancouver Whitecaps FC released their complete 2017 MLS regular season schedule on Thursday. Kickoff times and broadcast schedule will be announced at a later date.



A record 14 Whitecaps FC home matches sold-out at BC Place in 2016. The only way to secure your seats to every home match is to become a ‘Caps Club Season Ticket Member. For more information on all Whitecaps FC ticket options, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.


The ‘Caps will kick off their 2017 MLS season on Sunday, March 5 at home to Eastern Conference side Philadelphia Union at BC Place. The regular season will conclude on Sunday, October 22 with Whitecaps FC playing on the road at Cascadia rivals Portland Timbers as part of Decision Day, with all league matches kicking off simultaneously at 1 p.m. PT.


The 2017 season will again feature 34 regular season matches. Vancouver face Western Conference teams Colorado Rapids, Portland Timbers, and Seattle Sounders FC each three times, and play the remaining Western Conference sides twice apiece. The 'Caps will again play Eastern Conference clubs once each, either home or away, and in reverse of the 2016 fixture.


Whitecaps FC will get an early start to their season when they face New York Red Bulls in the upcoming CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals. The first leg will be away at Red Bull Arena on Wednesday, February 22, followed by the decisive second leg at BC Place on Thursday, March 2. Tickets are currently available by purchasing a Major Match Pack, which also includes a scarf and ticket to both the home opener and Canadian Championship semifinal.


More notes on the 2017 MLS regular season schedule below.


HOME DAYS

Whitecaps FC will host home matches at BC Place on:


  • Ten Saturdays
  • Three Sundays
  • Three Wednesdays
  • One Friday


ROAD DAYS

Whitecaps FC will play on the road on:


  • Eleven Saturdays
  • Three Wednesdays
  • Two Fridays
  • One Sunday


CONCACAF GOLD CUP BREAK

Just as MLS has done for the World Cup since 2010 and the 2016 Copa America Centenario, the 2017 schedule will include a break for the CONCACAF Gold Cup group stage for the first time. Group stage matches for the CONCACAF Gold Cup will be played from July 7 through July 17. 


NEW OPPONENTS AND NEW STADIUMS

Expansion teams Atlanta United FC and Minnesota United FC enter the fold this year. The 'Caps host them once each at BC Place, while also traveling once to Minnesota.


  • Saturday, June 3 – Atlanta United FC come to BC Place for the first time
  • Saturday, June 24 – First match versus Minnesota United FC at TCF Bank Stadium
  • Wednesday, September 13 – Minnesota United FC come to BC Place for the first time


The league will see two new stadiums this year. While Whitecaps FC will not play in Atlanta, they will play at Orlando's brand new downtown stadium in August.


  • Saturday, August 26 at Orlando City SC


CASCADIA CUP

Whitecaps FC will look to defend their Cascadia Cup in 2017, hosting Seattle twice and Portland once. The ‘Caps will end the regular season on the road against Portland Timbers in a reverse from the 2016 finale, a 4-1 Cascadia Cup clinching victory for Vancouver at BC Place.


Home


  • Friday, April 14 vs. Seattle Sounders FC
  • Sunday, July 23 vs. Portland Timbers
  • Wednesday, August 23 vs. Seattle Sounders FC


Away


  • Saturday, April 22 at Portland Timbers
  • Wednesday, September 27 at Seattle Sounders FC
  • Sunday, October 22 at Portland Timbers in regular season finale
    *All Decision Day matches on October 22 will kick off at 1 p.m. PT


OTHER NOTABLE HOME MATCHES

  • Saturday, March 18 vs. Canadian rivals Toronto FC
  • Saturday, April 1 vs. Mexican national team striker Giovani dos Santos and LA Galaxy
  • Saturday, June 17 vs. defending Supporters' Shield holders FC Dallas
  • Wednesday, July 5 vs. Spanish star David Villa, Italian legend Andrea Pirlo and New York City FC


HOME STANDS

Carl Robinson and his squad will have two four-match MLS home stands at BC Place during the season with one at the end of May and start of June, and the other in September:


  • Saturday, May 20 vs. Sporting Kansas City
  • Saturday, May 27 vs. D.C. United
  • Saturday, June 3 vs. Atlanta United FC
  • Saturday, June 17 vs. FC Dallas


AND


  • Saturday, September 9 vs. Real Salt Lake
  • Wednesday, September 13 vs. Minnesota United FC
  • Saturday, September 16 vs. Columbus Crew SC
  • Saturday, September 23 vs. Colorado Rapids


ROAD TRIPS

The ‘Caps longest MLS road stretch will be four matches away from BC Place at the end of April and start of May:


  • Saturday, April 22 at Portland Timbers
  • Saturday, April 29 at Montreal Impact
  • Friday, May 5 at Colorado Rapids
  • Friday, May 12 at Houston Dynamo


The ‘Caps will also have two three-match stretches away from BC Place:


  • Saturday, July 29 at FC Dallas
  • Saturday, August 5 at Colorado Rapids
  • Saturday, August 12 at New England Revolution


AND


  • Wednesday, September 27 at Seattle Sounders FC
  • Saturday, September 30 at Sporting Kansas City
  • Saturday, October 7 at New York Red Bulls


CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

The schedule for the 2017 Canadian Championship will be announced at a later date.