Now that 2014 is behind us, it’s time to look ahead to 2015. The off-season is already hot and heavy and we are still two weeks away from the MLS SuperDraft. With more moves bound to happen around the league and a busy year on the international side as well, here is a look at some dates to know in 2015.
January 2-5 – MLS Caribbean Combine.
January 7 – Major League Soccer announces the full 2015 regular season schedule.
January 9-13 – MLS Combine.
January 9-24 – CONCACAF U-20 Championship. Jamaica hosts the regional U-20 tournament, with the top four teams qualifying for the U-20 World Cup in New Zealand.
January 15 – MLS SuperDraft in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Real Salt Lake holds the 16th overall pick in the first round and no picks in the second round.
January 20 – Rounds 3-4 of the MLS SuperDraft. The final rounds are held via conference call. Real Salt Lake holds the 57th and 77th overall picks in the final two rounds.
January 24 – Preseason begins for Real Salt Lake as players undergo entrance physicals.
January 26-31 – Real Salt Lake starts training camp in Casa Grande, Arizona.
February 3-12 – Preseason continues in Irvine, California.
February 15-March 1 – Real Salt Lake plays in the FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup, with four matches scheduled against MLS opponents.
February 27-March 15 – CONCACAF U-17 Championship. Based in Honduras, the top four teams in the region will advance to the FIFA U-17 World Cup later in the year.
March 7 – Real Salt Lake opens the 2015 regular season on the road against the Portland Timbers.
March 14 – Rio Tinto Stadium hosts Real Salt Lake’s home opener against the Philadelphia Union.
May 30-June 20 – FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand.
The draw for the CONCACAF Champions League Group Stage typically takes place in late-May or early June. This year, Real Salt Lake will have an eye on that draw to learn who, when and where it will play its Group Stage matches when the 2015-2016 tournament starts in August. The four Group Stage matches will run from August-October.
In June, MLS clubs are also expected to join the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
July 7-26 – CONCACAF Gold Cup – the top countries in the CONCACAF region will do battle with a spot in the 2017 Confederations Cup on the line. If the U.S. wins, it will advance to the international tournament in Russia. If any other country wins, they will meet the U.S., who won the 2013 Gold Cup, in a playoff later in the year.
October 17-November 8 – FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile.
In addition, CONCACAF will host qualifying for the 2016 Olympics this year, although dates and venues have not yet been announced. Along with all of the big tournaments on the schedule, the U.S. National Team also has seven friendly matches already on the schedule.
Buckle up. It’s going to be a wild ride in 2015.
