USA: 2018 MLS season begins on 03/03/2018, 23^rd franchise Los Angeles FC debuts on 04/03/2018

The game between the defending 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs (and also 2017 regular season) champions Toronto FC hosting Columbus Crew SC on 03/03/2018 opens the 2018 MLS regular season. This is the 23^rd season of the North American soccer league, which began play in 1996 (administrative inception of MLS on 17/12/1993).

The 2018 MLS regular season will end on 28/10/2018, after which the MLS Cup Playoffs will begin on 31/10/2018. The league is taking a 9-day break in June, from 14/06/2018 -- the opening day of the 2018 World Cup in Russia -- until 22/06/2018.

MLS welcomes one new franchises this season: Los Angeles FC, bringing the total number of franchises to 23 for the 2018 season (20 American franchises, plus 3 Canadian ones).

The pay-TV group Eurosport acquired the exclusive TV rights to MLS in Europe (except the UK) for the 2015-2018 period, or four seasons, on 05/03/2015. The pay-TV group Sky Sports broadcasts the league in the United Kingdom.

MLS drew an average of 22,106 spectators per game in 2017, which is a new record for the regular season of the league, announced the league on…