2017 Philadelphia Union schedule released

Three games against Montreal Impact, New York Red Bulls and D.C. United and road trips to Vancouver, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, the Twin Cities, Kansas City and San Jose highlight the 2017 Philadelphia Union schedule, released by the league on Thursday.

The Union will visit both expansion teams in September with games against Minnesota United at TCF Bank Stadium on September 9 and a midweek match with Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 27. The Union host Atlanta in the first meeting between the two teams on Saturday, August 26.

Defending MLS Cup champs Seattle Sounders come to town on October 1 in one of five nationally televised games. The other national TV games include home matches against New York City FC on April 14 (ESPN), New York Red Bulls on June 18 (ESPN) and New England Revolution on July 2 (FS1) and New York Red Bulls away on September 17 (ESPN).

The schedule includes 20 matches on Saturday, seven on Sunday, five on Wednesday and one each on Thursday and Friday. All but three of the Union’s home matches are scheduled for 7 p.m. or later though times have not been set for three others.

Three of the Union’s first four matches will be on the road with visits to Orlando and Washington D.C. after the home opener against Toronto FC on March 11 and the season opener in Vancouver on Sunday, March 5.

July will be the busiest month for the boys in blue with six matches, including two in one week against conference rivals Columbus Crew SC (there Saturday, July 22; here Wednesday, July 26) and a Sunday/Thursday week to start the month with New England Revolution at home on July 2 and a road trip to Kansas City on Thursday, July 6.

Just two of the six July matches will be played at Talen Energy Stadium and Jim Curtin will have to run out a starting XI for three games in eight days against conference foes July 19, 22 and 26 after a 13-day layoff for the Gold Cup.

Home
Toronto FC, Saturday, March 11, 4:30 p.m.
Portland Timbers, Saturday, April 8, 7 p.m.
New York City FC, Friday, April 14, 7 p.m.
Montreal Impact, Saturday, April 22, TBD
New York Red Bulls, May 6, 7 p.m.
Houston Dynamo, Wednesday, May 17, 7:30 p.m.
Colorado Rapids, Saturday, May 20, 7 p.m.
New York Red Bulls, Sunday, June 18, 5 p.m.
D.C. United, Saturday, June 24, 7 p.m.
New England Revolution, Sunday, July 2, TBD
Columbus Crew SC, Wednesday, July 26, 7:30 p.m.
FC Dallas, Saturday, August 5, 7 p.m.
Montreal Impact, Saturday, August 12, TBD
Atlanta United, Saturday, August 26, 7 p.m.
Chicago Fire, Saturday, September 23, 7 p.m.
Seattle Sounders, Sunday, October 1, 1 p.m.
Orlando City SC, Sunday, October 22, 4 p.m.

Away
Vancouver Whitecaps, Sunday, March 5, 9:30 p.m.
Orlando City SC, Saturday, March 18, 7:30 p.m.
D.C. United, Saturday, April 1, 7 p.m.
LA Galaxy, Saturday, April 29, 10:30 p.m.
D.C. United, Saturday, May 13, 7 p.m.
Real Salt Lake, Saturday, May 27, 10 p.m.
New York City FC, Saturday, June 3, TBD
Sporting Kansas City, Thursday, July 6, 8:30 p.m.
Montreal Impact, Wednesday, July 19, TBD
Columbus Crew SC, Saturday, July 22, 7:30 p.m.
New England Revolution, Saturday, July 29, 7:30 p.m.
San Jose Earthquakes, Saturday, August 19, 10:30 p.m.
Toronto FC, Wednesday, August 23, TBD
Minnesota United, Saturday, September 9, 8 p.m.
New York Red Bulls, Sunday, September 17, 1 p.m.
Atlanta United, Wednesday, September 27, TBD
Chicago Fire, Sunday, October 15, 3 p.m.