The 2011 MLS season will start in Seattle, but for Real Salt Lake it will be another trip to the bay

In 2010 RSL started their record breaking season in San Jose, and in 2011 it will once again be a road opener for Real Salt Lake as they will head to San Jose and face the Quakes on March 19th.  The MLS season will kick off with the LA Galaxy heading to Seattle for a Tuesday night matchup on March 15th.

Real Salt Lake will actually kick their season off on February 22nd, when they head to Columbus to face the Crew in CONCACAF Champions League action, and their first home match will be two weeks before the MLS kicks off as we will host Columbus in the 2nd leg of our Quarterfinal series with them on March 1st.  

RSL will host their first MLS match of 2011 on March 26th when we will face off against the 2011 Supporters' Shield winner the LA Galaxy.  The question is who will be on that LA roster?  Landon wants another loan to the EPL, Beckham is talking about going on loan as well, their is transfer talk of Buddle leaving (I doubt he will), and will they find a way to sign Juan Pablo Angel.  Now RSL fans have a reason to pay attention.

After the jump the complete list of opening weekend matches, and every teams first home match:

Tuesday, March 15

Seattle Sounders FC vs. LA Galaxy, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Saturday, March 19

Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Toronto FC, time TBD

D.C. United vs. Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m. 

New York Red Bulls vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 7:30 p.m.

FC Dallas vs. Chicago Fire, 8:30 p.m.

Houston Dynamo vs. Philadelphia Union, 8:30pm

Colorado Rapids vs. Portland Timbers, 9 p.m.

Chivas USA vs. Sporting Kansas City, 10:30 p.m.

San Jose Earthquakes vs. Real Salt Lake, 10:30 p.m. 

Sunday, March 20

LA Galaxy vs. New England Revolution, 9 p.m.

Saturday, March 26

Chicago Fire vs. Sporting Kansas City, 4 p.m. 

Columbus Crew vs. New York Red Bulls, 4 p.m.

Philadelphia Union vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 4 p.m.

Toronto FC vs. Portland Timbers, time TBD

New England Revolution vs. D.C. United, time TBD 

Real Salt Lake vs. LA Galaxy, 9 p.m.

The Portland Timbers will need to wait until mid April for their remodeled stadium to be ready to host a match.

Thursday, April 14

Portland Timbers vs. Chicago Fire, 11 p.m. 

KC fans will have to wait almost 3 months to see their newly named team play their first match in their yet unnamed stadium 

Thursday, June 9

Sporting Kansas City vs. Chicago Fire, time TBD

I like heading to San Jose again for the opening weekend, it give RSL a chance to get an early road result against a Western Conference foe.  Then coming home to open our home portion of the MLS season against LA, wow no better way to ensure a good size crowd than to bring the star studded Southern California team to town.

I can't wait for the season to start.

OFF MY SOAPBOX