Well just before I headed out for the holidays, Major League Soccer announced some preseason details:
NEW YORK (December 20, 2011) - Major League Soccer today announced that MLS preseason training camps may officially open on January 15, 2012. Not all teams will take the field on that day, but during the next two months, each club's 2012 roster will begin take shape in advance of First Kick presented by Dick's Sporting Goods - the opening week of the regular season - March 10-12. All clubs must meet roster and salary budget requirements by March 1.
MLS clubs will participate in several preseason matches and tournaments. A schedule of MLS Club preseason training dates, sites, and matches can be accessed by CLICKING HERE. Media are encouraged to check this site frequently as training information will be updated as additional details are confirmed.
Fourteen of the 19 MLS clubs will participate in domestic preseason tournaments the weekend prior to First Kick.
MLS Soccer
Included are details of some preseason tournaments including the FC Tucson Desert Cup, which will feature 4 MLS teams in a round robin tournament, the teams are Real Salt Lake, the Los Angeles Galaxy, the New York Red Bulls, and the New England Revolution.
After the jump you will find more details about this tournament as well as the others that MLS teams will be taking part in:
Here are the 4 tournaments that MLS teams will be taking part in:
Tournament: 2nd Annual FC Tucson Desert Cup
Tucson, Arizona
Dates: February 22-March 3
Stadium: Kino Veteran Memorial Stadium
Participating Clubs: LA Galaxy, New England Revolution, New York Red Bulls, Real Salt Lake
Tournament website: fctucson.com
Tournament: Disney Pro Soccer Classic
Orlando, Florida
Dates: February 24-March 3
Stadium: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Participating Clubs: Houston Dynamo, Montreal Impact, Sporting Kansas City, Vancouver Whitecaps FC,
OrlandoCity (USL), B.K. Hacken (Allsvenskan, Sweden)
Tournament: 2012 Carolina Challenge Cup
Charleston, South Carolina
Dates: February 25-March 3
Stadium: Blackbaud Stadium
Participating Clubs: Chicago Fire, Columbus Crew, D.C. United, Charleston Battery
Tournament: Portland Timbers Tournament
Portland, Oregon
Dates: February 27 - March 4
Stadium: JELD-WEN Field
Participating Clubs: Chivas USA, Portland Timbers, San Jose Earthquakes, AIK (Allmänna Idrottsklubben) of Sweden
You can find more details on each of these tournaments on the MLS website, as well as the other preseason plans of some of the leagues teams.
I think it will be good for RSL to get a good tournament against some familiar foes as part of their preseason plans, the MLS season is going to be interesting but when you add in RSL's attempts to not only participate in but win the 2012/13 CONCACAF Champions League, getting a good start will be very important.
Hopefully we will learn more about the RSL preseason plans as the holiday season wraps up and the MLS season starts getting closer.
OFF MY SOAPBOX