MLS expansion team in Cincinnati to open March 2 at Seattle

NEW YORK – Expansion Cincinnati will play its first Major League Soccer match on March 2 against the Seattle Sounders at CenturyLink Field.

Cincinnati then faces Portland for its home opener at Nippert Stadium on March 17.

MLS announced home openers Thursday for all 24 teams Thursday.

Allianz Field in St. Paul, the new home of Minnesota United, opens April 13 with a game against the New York Red Bulls. The venue is the league’s 20th stadium built or renovated for soccer.

The season’s first day on March 2 also includes Toronto at Philadelphia, New York City at Orlando, the New York Red Bulls at Columbus, New England at Dallas, Salt Lake at Houston, Portland at Colorado, Minnesota at Vancouver, Chicago at the LA Galaxy and Montreal at San Jose.

Set for the following day are defending champion Atlanta at D.C. United and Kansas City at LA.

Home openers the following weekend include Orlando at Chicago, Columbus at New England and Vancouver at Salt Lake on March 9, and D.C. United at New York City, Philadelphia at Kansas City and Cincinnati at Atlanta on March 10.

San Jose is at the New York Red Bulls on March 16, and the following day has New England at Toronto. Montreal’s home opener is April 13 against Columbus.

Portland’s home opener is not until June 1 against LA. Providence Park is in the midst of a 4,000-seat expansion.