Revs open season in L.A. on March 20th; home opener against D.C. on March 26th

The New England Revolution will open their season in California for the third straight season when they take on the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday, March 20^th at 8 p.m.  The Revs will then return to Gillette Stadium for their home opener against D.C. United on Saturday, March 26^th.

The Revs start the season against two teams that finished 2010 on opposite ends of the table. The Galaxy, featuring U.S. National Team star Landon Donovan and former England captain David Beckham, was the league’s best team in regular season, capturing the Supporters’ Shield with an impressive 18-7-5 (59 points) record. The Revs also opened the season last year against the Galaxy, falling 1-0, but earned some revenge in Foxboro on July 10^th with a 2-0 win. The two teams seemed to be building a rivalry as the Revs fell to the Galaxy in the 2002 and 2005 MLS Cups and the 2001 U.S. Open Cup Final, but have yet to face each other in an important match since.

Their home opener will come against a team looking to erase any memories of a disastrous 2010. D.C. United finished the season in last place with a record of 6-20-4 (22 points). The Revs emerged victorious in both games against D.C. last year, keeping a clean sheet each time. D.C. scored an all-time league record low 21 goals last season.

The match against D.C. is the earliest home opener for the Revs in team history.

“After opening the season with a road match against the Galaxy, which has become a bit of tradition the last few years, we’re looking forward to opening our 2011 home schedule against one of our biggest rivals in D.C. United,” Revolution Chief Operating Officer Brian Bilello said. “Starting our home schedule against one of our fiercest rivals will give our fans a great start to the home season. It gives everybody a great match to look forward to during the winter months and preseason.”

All 18 clubs will take the field during the opening “First Kick” week (March 15-20) as they begin a 34-game, balanced regular season in which every club will face each of the other 17 clubs home and away. Ten teams will qualify for the 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs.

The rest of the 2011 MLS regular season schedule is expected to be released by early February.

MLS 2011 HOME OPENERS

Home club listed first. All times Eastern. Schedule subject to change.

Tuesday, March 15

Seattle Sounders FC vs. LA Galaxy, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Saturday, March 19

Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Toronto FC, time TBD

D.C. United vs. Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m.

New York Red Bulls vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 7:30 p.m.

FC Dallas vs. Chicago Fire, 8:30 p.m.

Houston Dynamo vs. Philadelphia Union, 8:30pm

Colorado Rapids vs. Portland Timbers, 9 p.m.

Chivas USA vs. Sporting Kansas City, 10:30 p.m.

San Jose Earthquakes vs. Real Salt Lake, 10:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 20

LA Galaxy vs. New England Revolution, 8 p.m.

Saturday, March 26

Chicago Fire vs. Sporting Kansas City, 4 p.m.

Columbus Crew vs. New York Red Bulls, 4 p.m.

Philadelphia Union vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 4 p.m.

Toronto FC vs. Portland Timbers, time TBD

New England Revolution vs. D.C. United, time TBD

Real Salt Lake vs. LA Galaxy, 9 p.m.

Thursday, April 14

Portland Timbers vs. Chicago Fire, 11 p.m.

Thursday, June 9

Sporting Kansas City vs. Chicago Fire, time TBD