Okay everyone. Time to fill out your calendar for the next nine months. Earlier today, MLS released the complete regular season schedule. For the first time in the league's history, there will have a balanced schedule -- that is, every team faces each other once home and once away. No more extra LA Galaxy games on the schedule -- that is, until they meet in the playoffs...
Click here for the official schedule.
Some quick thoughts on the 2010 Earthquakes schedule: Unlike in the past two seasons, the team does not have any lengthy home stands or road trips this year. The Quakes never play more than two in a row at home or two in a row away. While this can be seen as a positive with regard to a lack of lengthy times away from San Jose, the team did enjoy some nice long home stands in 2008 and 2009 that were looked at as being favorable by the players. I'll ask around at the next training session whether these issues mean much to the coaching staff.
Also, for those road warriors looking to visit the newest Soccer Specific Stadiums in MLS, circle these two dates on your calendars. Saturday July 10th sees the Quakes visit the new home of the expansion Philadelphia Union. A beautiful new stadium currently being constructed in nearby Chester, PPL Stadium should provide a wonderful environment for soccer. Then on Saturday August 28th, the Earthquakes will visit the newest crown jewel of American soccer -- Red Bull Arena. If you haven't been following the progress of this wonderful stadium outside of Newark, NJ, take a look now.
Of course, the two home games that matter most are with the Gals and the Dynamo. Both occur later in the season -- LA on August 21st and Houston on October 16th -- after the annual summer transfer window Quakes roster stocking. The Houston Dynamo game also marks the last weekend home game of the season. Let us know which games you are most looking forward to; join the conversation below.