CARSON, Calif. – Major League Soccer’s schedule for the 2017 regular season is out, and it is time to start planning your life for the next 10 months.
As we look ahead to the 2017 campaign under new head coach Curt Onalfo, I’ve circled five games that I’m excited to see this season.
ONALFO’S FIRST GAME: March 4 vs. FC Dallas at StubHub Center
Curt Onalfo will lead the LA Galaxy in the first game of his tenure on March 4 against FC Dallas at StubHub Center.
The new Galaxy boss has been very optimistic about his new tenure after taking over for Bruce Arena last month. He’ll have his first chance to implement his vision for the Galaxy on March 4 when the Galaxy host the defending Supporters’ Shield and U.S. Open Cup winners.
Led by head coach Oscar Pareja, Dallas will arrive at StubHub Center full of steam after a successful 2016 season eager to build toward an MLS Cup title run.
SEATTLE VISITS STUBHUB CENTER: April 23 vs. Seattle Sounders FC at StubHub Center
The defending MLS Cup champion Seattle Sounders make their first trip to StubHub Center on April 23.
Los Angeles’ hated rivals lifted their first MLS Cup title last December when they made a dream run to the trophy. Seattle’s run began last summer when head coach Brian Schmetzer took over for head coach Sigi Schmid and received a major shot in the arm when they trounced the Galaxy in September.
After seeing their arch nemesis lift the trophy, one can expect a real battle when the Galaxy welcome the newly crowned Sounders.
THE ANNUAL TRIP TO STANFORD: July 1 vs. San Jose Earthquakes at Stanford Stadium
Hold on to your butts when the LA Galaxy make their annual trip to the farm to take on the San Jose Earthquakes at Stanford Stadium.
Fireworks are commonplace both on and off the field for this Independence Day adjacent clash between the Cali Clasico rivals. The Earthquakes are still in the midst of a rebuild under new general manager Jesse Fioranelli, but if history has taught us anything is that records go out the window when the two teams meet at Stanford.
Regardless of who suits up for both sides, the match will be an exciting one.
GALAXY HEAD TO NEW YORK: May 14 vs. New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena
No, the LA Galaxy and the New York Red Bulls aren’t rivals, but the matches between the two teams are always a thrilling affair.
The Red Bulls figure to be one of the top contenders to lift the MLS Cup due to their twin attacking tandem of Sacha Kljestan and Bradley Wright-Phillips who both finished last season as MVP Finalists. With Curt Onalfo eager to put his stamp on the Galaxy, the match could be a good early barometer for where the Galaxy stand in 2017.
On a personal and off the field note: who doesn’t want to make a trip to New York?
FIRST TRIP TO THE SOUTH: Aug. 19 vs. Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
The LA Galaxy make their first trip to Atlanta to take on the new kids on the block, Atlanta United on August 19.
Atlanta United figures to be a major contender in year one under head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino with the signings of talented South American attacking players Miguel Almiron, Yamil Asad, and Hector Villalba. The match will be one of the first games in the sparkling Mercedes-Benz Stadium which will open in mid-summer.
Expect a capacity crowd of more than 40,000 in attendance when the Galaxy make their trip to the South.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog atLAGalaxy.com/insiderand contact him atLAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
