WASHINGTON, Jan. 5, 2012 - For D.C. United fans, there will be no visit from the star-studded Los Angeles Galaxy at RFK Stadium this year. Major League Soccer has unveiled its 2012 regular season schedule and clubs will now play more inter-conference games. That means, the Galaxy, with stars such as Landon Donovan, Robbie Keane, and possibly David Beckham if he signs a new contract, will not be coming to town. MLS is trying to cut down the road-travel miles for teams. Last year the Vancouver Whitecaps traveled over 50,000 miles.
Each of the league’s 19 clubs will play 34 matches, 17 at home and 17 away, during 34 weeks. Within each conference, each club will play the same number of in-conference and out-of-conference games. The new format means that United will not only host the Galaxy but the Vancouver Whitecaps, San Jose Earthquakes, Real Salt Lake and the Portland Timbers will not becoming to RFK this season.
The league wants to boost local rivalries, so United will play the New York Red Bulls and the Philadelphia Union three times this season in regular league play. United will play the Red Bulls twice at home. The club will also get two visits to RFK from the expansion Montreal Impact, New England Revolution and Columbus Crew.
The D.C. outfit opens its season against Sporting Kansas City on March 10 at RFK Stadium.
The good news is that every MLS game will be televised.
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