Its been like what a whole month or more to play around four matches? At this rate next season will start up a week after the MLS Cup is played... And this Columbus/Austin-Gate scenario is ridiculous! Who's running the league these days Roger Goodell?
"Who's running the league these days Roger Goodell?" - lol, good one. They are trying to be more compliant with the international windows because they don't want all their star players gone for the playoffs. That raises an interesting set of options. Play in freaking cold some years or fewer games to shorten the schedule so they are done before November 7th (this year, it varies).
Also they adjusted the schedule this year so the international break didn't occur between legs 1 and 2 of the same round like it did last year. Maybe not an ideal schedule but I appreciate the goal they're aiming for.
Maybe they should start the season sooner and have the playoffs pushed up. The playoffs are dragging out very long with games on weekdays. That is not good for the viewers at all.
Have all the early games (February) played in the warm climate cities. LA1, LA2, Orlando, Atlanta, Houston, San Jose, Dallas, Montreal (dome) and Vancouver (dome). Portland and Settle will sell regardless if it's February or August. Yes it would mean the other teams would start the season on a 2,3 or 4 games road trip, but yes it can be done.
There have been many, many discussions of why 3-4 game road trips to start the season for half the league every season is a non-starter.
Maybe in a few years it won't matter anymore when the games are played, even for teams like Chicago, Colorado, New England etc. So they won't have to start on a 3-4 game road trip.