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Minnesota United released their 2020 schedule this morning detailing all 34 MLS regular season matches that will be played. A big change in the schedule for this season is not only the expansion to 26 teams but also a change in schedule format. Each team will now play a double round robin against the other 12 teams in their conference and 10 of the 13 teams from the opposite conference. This is a change from previous seasons where you were guaranteed to play each team in the league at least once during the season.
This means that the Loons will not play New York City FC, Philadelphia Union, and Toronto FC. MNUFC will see matches against both expansion sides Nashville SC and Inter Miami CF. The home leg opens the series against Nashville on June 13th in St. Paul with the reverse fixture coming on August 1st at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN. Minnesota will play on the road against Inter Miami at their temporary home stadium in Fort Lauderdale, FL on May 16th.
A few other notable matches will see the Loons continue to play their Midwestern rivals, Chicago Fire, for another season. That match will be a home fixture on August 22nd. The Loons will face off with their other Midwestern rival, Sporting Kansas City on April 25th at Children's Mercy Park and then the reverse leg on July 18th in St. Paul. 2017 expansion foe Atlanta United will visit Allianz Field on August 9th for a 2 PM match that will be televised on ABC, a first for the club.
Some key promotions have been revealed as well. Of course the home opener will be March 15th against New York Red Bulls. MNUFC will also have an Earth Day Celebration on April 18th against FC Dallas. The club’s long running Pride Night match will be contested on June 13th against expansion side Nashville SC. The season caps off with Fan Appreciation on Decision Day, October 4th against Houston Dynamo.
The longest break the Loons will have in 2020 will not be a summer break like last season when the Gold Cup was played. Rather it will be very early on with a 2 week, 21 day break in between their fourth and fifth matches. Those are also the 2nd and 3rd matches of a 4 match home stand as well. Another near two week break will happen between their matches at LA Galaxy on May 31st and the home match against Nashville on June 13th.
In league play the schedule will be weekend heavy with 10 matches scheduled for Saturdays, 5 set for Sunday, and only 2 midweek matches on Wednesdays. The club also revealed their first International friendly will be played on Wednesday May 27th at 7 PM but has not announced the club they will play.
You can check out the full schedule here on Minnesota United’s website.