The group phase includes the first 48 games of the 64-game tournament that begins on June 11, 2010 in South Africa. The last MLS game prior to the World Cup will be played on June 10th and MLS will not schedule any additional League games until after the group phase concludes on June 25th. MLS does not plan to schedule games on the days of either World Cup Semifinal nor the World Cup Final.

"The decision to stop League play during the group phase of the 2010 FIFA World Cup is part of MLS' commitment to deepen its connection with the millions of soccer fans in the United States and Canada," said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. "The World Cup will be a focal point for all MLS fans and several MLS players will compete with their national teams at the tournament."

The 2010 MLS Regular Season will again see each team play a 30-game regular season, followed by playoffs among eight qualifying teams. The 2010 season will begin with a single game March 25 and will conclude October 24. The MLS Cup Playoffs will culminate in the championship match, MLS Cup 2010, on November 21.

MLS plans to announce each club's 2010 home opener in the near future. The complete 2010 MLS schedule will be announced early next year.

(mlsnet.com)