WASHINGTON, December 13, 2012 — Missing Major League Soccer games now that the season is over? Seeking some sun in these wintery days to go with your soccer? Well, you won’t have to wait too long. Preseason MLS games will soon be upon us and a big preseason tournament, involving D.C. United, and other big MLS clubs, is kicking off in Florida early next year.
The schedule has just been announced for the 2013 Disney Pro Soccer Classic, which will open with a matchup between the Columbus Crew and Toronto F.C. on Saturday, February 9 at 1 p.m.
Six MLS teams will be participating in eight-team event, which also includes two second division teams. Group A will consist of Orlando City (USL), Philadelphia Union, Toronto Football Club and Columbus Crew. Teams in Group B will include the Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL), D.C. United, Montreal Impact, and Sporting Kansas City. All games will be played at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World.
Here’s the schedule:
Saturday, February 9, 2013:
1:00 p.m.: Columbus Crew vs. Toronto Football Club
3:00 p.m.: Montreal Impact vs. Sporting Kansas City
6:00 p.m.: Orlando City Soccer Club vs. Philadelphia Union
8:00 p.m.: D.C. United vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies
Wednesday, February 13, 2013:
1:00 p.m.: Philadelphia Union vs. Columbus Crew
3:00 p.m.: Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Montreal Impact
6:00 p.m.: Sporting Kansas City vs. D.C. United
8:00 p.m.: Toronto Football Club vs. Orlando City Soccer Club
Saturday, February 16, 2013:
1:00 p.m.: Montreal Impact vs. D.C. United
3:00 p.m.: Philadelphia Union vs. Toronto Football Club
6:00 p.m.: Orlando City Soccer Club vs. Columbus Crew
8:00 p.m.: Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Sporting Kansas City
Pro Soccer Classic Championship Day – Saturday, February 23, 2013:
1:00 p.m.: Group A Fourth Place vs. Group B Fourth Place
3:00 p.m.: Group A Third Place vs. Group B Third Place
6:00 p.m.: Group A Second Place vs. Group B Second Place
8:00 p.m.: Group A First Place vs. Group B First Place
For more information about the Disney Pro Soccer Classic and Central Florida Soccer Spring Training, which is sponsoring the event, visit www.SoccerSpringTraining.com or call the official travel provider, GET Travel, at 888-877-4445, option 3. Central Florida Spring Training is sponsored by the State of Florida.
John Haydon wrote a weekly soccer column for The Washington Times. He has covered two World Cups and written about Major League Soccer from the league’s inception in 1996.
Follow John on Twitter at @Johnahaydon
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