Four Tournaments Offer MLS Preview.
Each of these events serve as final tests for new acquisitions, young players and team chemistry before points are at stake, and each occurs in an attractive location.
In chronological order of their respective opening matches, the four tournaments are: the Disney Pro Soccer Classic in Orlando, the FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup, the Carolina Challenge Cup in Charleston, S.C., and the Portland Timbers Preseason Tournament at JELD-WEN Field. Each tournament concludes on Saturday, February 23, one week before the 2013 season opener.
The Central Florida Sports Commission and ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex (Lake Buena Vista, FL) at Walt Disney World will host the fourth annual Disney Pro Soccer Classic, featuring six MLS clubs, plus Orlando City Soccer Club (USL) and the Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL).
Group play begins on Feb. 9-20, with Group A consisting of Orlando City, Philadelphia Union, Toronto FC and Columbus Crew. Group B includes the Tampa Bay Rowdies, D.C. United, Montreal Impact and Sporting Kansas City.
Championship Day on Feb. 23 will pit each team against its corresponding seed from the other group based on points earned in group play.
FC Tucson has partnered with Desert Diamond Casino to host the third consecutive FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tucson, Arz. The teams will be the New England Revolution, the New York Red Bulls, Real Salt Lake and Seattle Sounders FC.
The scenic, harbor city of Charleston, S.C., and USL Pro club Charleston Battery again welcome three MLS clubs in the 10th annual Carolina Challenge Cup.
The Houston Dynamo, Chicago Fire and Vancouver Whitecaps FC will join the Battery in a round-robin tournament that takes place Feb.16-23, at Blackbaud Stadium. Houston won this tournament in 2006 and 2007 ahead of its two MLS Cup-winning seasons.
The Portland Timbers’ second annual preseason tournament will be held at JELD-WEN Field, Feb. 17-23. The San Jose Earthquakes, FC Dallas and Swedish first-division side AIK, winners of 11 league titles, will compete along with the Timbers.
Tournament Schedules
Disney Pro Soccer Classic
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Columbus Crew vs. Toronto FC, 1 p.m.
Montreal Impact vs. Sporting Kansas City, 3 p.m.
Orlando City SC vs. Philadelphia Union, 6 p.m.
D.C. United vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies, 8 p.m.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Philadelphia Union vs. Columbus Crew, 1 p.m.
Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Montreal Impact, 3 p.m.
Sporting Kansas City vs. D.C. United, 6 p.m.
Toronto FC vs. Orlando City Soccer Club, 8 p.m.
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Montreal Impact vs. D.C. United, 1 p.m.
Philadelphia Union vs. Toronto FC, 3 p.m.
Orlando City SC vs. Columbus Crew, 6 p.m.
Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Sporting KC, 8 p.m.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Pro Soccer Classic Championship Day
Group A #4 vs. Group B #4 , 1 p.m.
Group A #3 vs. Group B #3, 3 p.m.
Group A #2 vs. Group B #2, 6 p.m.
Group A #1 vs. Group B #1 , 8 p.m.
Carolina Challenge Cup
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Houston Dynamo vs. Chicago Fire
Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Charleston
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Houston Dynamo vs. Vancouver Whitecaps
Chicago Fire vs. Charleston Battery
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Charleston Battery vs. Houston Dynamo
Chicago Fire vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC