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2021 MLS season to launch April 17

After negotiations with the MLS Players Association that included a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, it was announced the 2021 MLS season would launch April 17.

The actual schedule will be released at a later date. The new April 17 2021 MLS season launch date hews fairly close to the previously announced launch date of April 3.

Also to be determined: how the three Canadian teams will be handled with restrictions on the U.S.-Canadian border. Last summer the three teams–Toronto FC, CF Montréal and Vancouver Whitecaps–played home games at American venues. It is likely the three teams will begin the season on the road until border restrictions are loosened by Canadian officials.

“We’re now going to begin our regular season on April 17,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber told media at a press conference today. “As you know, the CBA negotiations were extended by a week beyond our original deadline so as a result we’re moved back the season two weeks to allow our players and our clubs the time to prepare. We’ll announce the date of the opening of training camps really soon then the regular season schedule soon in the coming weeks, hopefully by early March.”

Here’s a look at the details of the new CBA.

Photo of Saputo Stadium courtesy CF Montréal.

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