Sounders to open the 2017 season on the road against Houston
Published 1:30 am Wednesday, December 21, 2016
NEW YORK — The Seattle Sounders will begin defense of their Major League Soccer title on March 4, the league announced Wednesday.
The Sounders play Houston at BBVA Compass Stadium in their 2017 regular-season opener. Because of renovation work at CenturyLink Field, the Sounders will open on the road for the first time in club history.
Seattle’s home opener is scheduled for March 19 against the New York Red Bulls. The complete regular-season schedule will be announced in January, prior to the 2017 SuperDraft.
The 2017 MLS season opens March 3, with Minnesota United playing at Portland. Minnesota is one of two expansion teams joining the league in 2017. The other expansion team, Atlanta United, makes its debut March 5 at home against the Red Bulls.
The Sounders won the 2016 MLS Cup — their first league title — on Dec. 10, beating Toronto FC 5-4 in penalty kicks following a 0-0 draw.
