It’s time to mark your calendars! The highly anticipated 2016 MLS regular season schedule is finally here. Columbus Crew SC has an action-packed 34-match timetable for the club’s 21st season. Let’s break it down.
Little comforts of home at the start of the 2016 campaign. For the sixth straight season, the Black & Gold’s preliminary match will be on the road. The year kicks off with a rematch of the 2015 MLS Cup between Crew SC and the Portland Timbers at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 6. The match will be live on ESPN.
Columbus hasn’t played at Providence Park since May 17, 2014 and Crew SC is has secured points in two of its three meetings there. In the Black & Gold’s quest to capture their first victory in Portland, they’ll look to avenge last year’s two 2-1 losses to the Timbers at MAPFRE Stadium.
After the intriguing MLS Cup rematch, Crew SC ventures to Columbus for its home opener against the Philadelphia Union at 7:30 p.m. on March 12. Expect a solid performance by the hosts as they have gone undefeated (6-0-5) in opening matches at MAPFRE Stadium over the past 11 years, dating back to 2005.
Next up, back on the open road. The Black & Gold will be tested early this season as five of their first eight matches are outside of the Capital City. Following the home opener, they’ll set out on a three-match away stint, meeting up with the Chicago Fire, FC Dallas and the Montreal Impact.
Chicago and Montreal are two of six Eastern Conference opponents the Black & Gold will face three times this regular season. The other four are the New England Revolution, New York City FC, the Philadelphia Union and Toronto FC.
Columbus and Montreal will get thoroughly acquainted early in the season, as all three encounters are within first 14 matches of the 2016 campaign. Good thing the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the two teams were highly entertaining.
After Crew SC’s three-match road stint, Black & Gold supporters can prepare for three entertaining months at MAPFRE Stadium. Crew SC will host seven of its 10 matches over the course of April, May and June. Highlights include clashes with both teams from the Big Apple: New York City FC on April 16 and the New York Red Bulls on June 25.
With six matches in four weeks, July is going to be a busy month for the Black & Gold. After trips to Sporting Kansas City on July 3 and the New England Revolution on July 9, Crew SC supporters will want to make sure they don’t schedule any upcoming cookouts with the neighbors. Columbus is set to host three consecutive matches in 10 days (July 13 – 23) at MAPFRE Stadium against rivals Toronto FC, D.C. United and Orlando City SC.
The Black & Gold will finish off July with its third and final meeting with Toronto FC— the second at BMO Field—before heading into a two-week break.
And then we’re back! Crew SC will host New York City FC in mid-August on the 13th. Then following a quick trip to New England, MAPFRE Stadium is the place to be. Columbus will host Philadelphia, San Jose and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, with a match in LA on September 3 after the 'Quakes.
Similar to the start of the 2016 campaign, Crew SC will close out the regular season with five of its final seven matches on the road, beginning in Orlando on September 17. It’s a tough spot to be in with a final push for playoff positioning. But in comparison, Columbus only had two more home matches last year in its final seven-game stretch; and the Black & Gold were in top shape heading into the postseason.
Finally, we arrive at Decision Day. On October 23, Columbus Crew SC will face New York City FC at Yankee Stadium for the third and final regular-season meeting between the two Eastern Conference clubs. This blockbuster day in MLS could determine the fate of several clubs across the League.
Taking a look back at 2015, Crew SC defeated NYCFC 3-2 at Yankee Stadium in the club’s first MLS season and Decision Day was a victorious five-goal eruption for the Black & Gold against D.C. If that’s any indication of what will be the League’s second-ever Decision Day, the 2016 season finale will be nothing short of entertaining.
Only 58 days until March 6, Crew SC supporters. Buckle up!
