Sunday no. 1 of the 2017 MLS season is chock-full of special treats, as Orlando City SC open Orlando City Stadium, the club’s brand new, 25,500-seat venue in downtown Orlando, and Atlanta United make their MLS debut at Bobby Dodd Stadium, their temporary home until July.
[ FOLLOW: Live score and updates from Sunday’s MLS action ]
Venue and team debut fanfare aside, they’re also up against a couple high-profile teams with whom you’re perhaps familiar — David Villa and Andrea Pirlo’s New York City FC, and a New York Red Bulls side featuring Bradley Wright-Phillips and Sacha Kljestan — after they finished second and first, respectively, in the Eastern Conference last year.
In what should be a superb nightcap to the opening weekend, a new-look Vancouver Whitecaps side, featuring Fredy Montero, Kekuta Manneh and (one can only hope) 16-year-old Alphonso Davies, host the Philadelphia Union at BC Place.
[ MORE: Saturday’s MLS (afternoon) roundup | Late-night ]
Sunday’s MLS schedule
Orlando City SC vs. New York City FC — 5 p.m. ET
Atlanta United vs. New York Red Bulls — 7:30 p.m. ET
Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Philadelphia Union — 9:30 p.m. ET