Look! It’s the New MLS 2008 Schedule!

By: Laurie | February 8th, 2008

Hey, MLS fans! Guess what? David Beckham and the LA Galaxy will be on this year’s first ESPN2 Thursday night show!

The Galaxy? I know. You’re shocked. But I’m quite certain this was totally random.

And I’m certain that the choice of the San Jose Earthquakes as the opponent was also totally random. Because the reincarnation of long-time Galaxy rivals, in a much-weakened expansion team form that the Galaxy might actually be able to beat, won’t make for good, pro-Galaxy television or anything.

Such are the inner working of MLS scheduling.

In truth, that first Thursday night won’t be all about the Galaxy. That game will be the second of a double-header. In the first:

Cuauhtémoc Blanco and the Chicago Fire host the New England Revolution in a rematch of the 2007 MLS Eastern Conference Championship game.

Which does actually sound pretty exciting.

But my point here is that the new MLS schedules are out.

In the League’s 13th season, each of the 14 clubs will play 30 Regular Season games over 31 weeks, for a total of 210 matches from March 29 – Oct. 26. Each team will play each other twice (home and away), for 26 games. The remaining four games will be played against different intra-conference teams (two home and two away), with consideration given to rivalries.

Oh, and also?

Fox Soccer Channel will broadcast two games on opening day, including a rematch of the past two MLS Cup championship games as the New England Revolution host the Houston Dynamo at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Also on opening night, both Fox Soccer Channel and high definition television pioneer HDNet will air Ruud Gullit’s debut as coach of David Beckham, Landon Donovan and the Los Angeles Galaxy when they face the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo., at 9:30 p.m. ET. Along with its pre- and post-game shows, this edition of MLS Saturday on FSC will provide fans an unprecedented five-hour fix of their domestic league.

A five-hour fix? Are you ready MLS fans?

Actually, I am ready. It’s been a long off-season.

Thanks to BallHype for the link.