Major League Soccer opens season with eyes on World Cup, schedule shift in 2027

Major League Soccer opens its 31st season this weekend, kicking off one of the most consequential two-year stretches in the league’s history. There’s the impact of the World Cup across the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer, then, in 2027, MLS will switch to a summer to spring schedule to align more closely with its international counterparts. MLS will take a seven-week break for the World Cup from May 25 to July 16. Many of the league’s stars, including Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi and LAFC’s Son Heung-min, are expected to play in the tournament. MLS is hoping after that to see the so-called “World Cup Bump,” or a surge in interest that both men’s and women’s leagues often...