VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC revealed their 34-match 2021 MLS regular season schedule on Wednesday, highlighted by a majority of the club’s home matches taking place in the latter part of the year with 13 of the 17 home dates slated from July to November.
“Our players are excited to get back to competing on the pitch. The early schedule should allow us to see how our development is progressing with high-intensity tests versus some of our rivals,” said Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC CEO and sporting director. “The majority of our home games will be after June, so we remain hopeful that we will get to play in front of our fans at BC Place once it is safe to do so, as we continue to work closely with the government, health officials and MLS.”
As previously announced, the ‘Caps kick off the season with a pair of derby fixtures, beginning with a home match against Portland Timbers in Sandy, Utah on Sunday, April 18, then a road date in Orlando, Florida versus Toronto FC on Saturday, April 24. After a visit from Colorado Rapids on Sunday, May 2 at the ‘Caps temporary home pitch at Rio Tinto Stadium, Whitecaps FC have another rivalry clash on Saturday, May 8 when they play host to Montreal Impact to round out an exciting opening month of football.
Both of the ’Caps matches against their Canadian rivals will be broadcast live on CTV and the entirety of the ‘Caps MLS matches will be aired on TSN and TSN GO.
Besides the aforementioned three home matches, the ‘Caps also host LA Galaxy on Wednesday, June 23 at Rio Tinto Stadium. The site for the remaining 13 home games, beginning with Wednesday, July 7 versus Real Salt Lake and through Sunday, November 7 versus Seattle Sounders FC, will be announced at a later date. The Decision Day matchup on November 7 marks the first time in their MLS history that the ‘Caps close out league play against their cross-border rivals.
The 2021 season will have each club playing 34 matches. Outside of their matchups versus Toronto FC and Montreal Impact, the ‘Caps will be playing all of their games against Western Conference opponents.
CASCADIA RIVALRY
Whitecaps FC play Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders FC three times each. After their opening weekend clash, the ‘Caps host the Timbers again on Friday, September 10, then visit Portland on Wednesday, October 20. The Sounders play host to the ‘Caps on Saturday, June 26, and on Wednesday, September 15, before the two clubs meet again on Decision Day.
AUSTIN FC
Whitecaps FC and expansion side Austin FC meet in a pair of Wednesday evening matchups, at home on July 28, then on the road on August 18. Austin FC announced earlier this month that Q2 Stadium will open on June 19.
WESTERN FOES
The ‘Caps will play eight different Western Conference rivals three times each during the season. Besides their two Cascadia rivals, the ‘Caps also face California-based clubs LA Galaxy, LAFC, and San Jose Earthquakes on three occasions each, as well as Houston Dynamo, Minnesota United FC, and their temporary host club Real Salt Lake.
Whitecaps FC face the other four Western Conference clubs two times each – Austin FC, Colorado Rapids, FC Dallas, and Sporting Kansas City.
The ‘Caps will be playing Colorado, Dallas, Houston, and Minnesota for the first time since 2019.
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
The Whitecaps FC 2021 schedule includes four breaks in action of nine days or over.
- 26-day break between May 22 to June 18 (international window/2022 FIFA World Cup Concacaf qualifying First & Second Round)
- 9-day break between July 7 to 17 (Concacaf Gold Cup from July 10 to August 1)
- 12-day break between August 28 and September 10 (international window/2022 FIFA World Cup Concacaf qualifying Third Round)
- 14-day break between October 2 and 17 (international window/2022 FIFA World Cup Concacaf qualifying Third Round)
CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP
Details for the 2021 Canadian Championship will be announced at a later date.
