For the first time since match play was suspended March 12 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Major League Soccer action will resume July 8 with the historic and unprecedented MLS is Back Tournament. This one-of-a-kind competition will see all 26 clubs descend on ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, marking the emphatic return of men's professional soccer in the United States after a near four-month hiatus.
As the opening match approaches, SportingKC.com is presenting a 20-day preview of the World-Cup style tournament from June 18 through July 7 called Countdown to MLS is Back presented by Children's Mercy Sports Medicine Center.
Sporting Kansas City will kick off their Group D campaign on July 12 against rivals Minnesota United FC before facing the Colorado Rapids on July 17 and Real Salt Lake on July 22, with all three games shown live nationally on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and the ESPN app. To visit the series homepage as it expands, head to SportingKC.com/MLSisBack.
Sporting Kansas City announced this week the club’s matchday programming schedule for the MLS is Back Tournament. From television and radio details to pre-game and post-game coverage, here's how to follow every minute of the action.
Television
Sporting's three group stage matches will be televised on ESPN and ESPN Deportes. As Sporting’s exclusive television partner, FOX Sports Kansas City will also deliver a 60-minute pre-match show—Sporting KC Live presented by Michelob Ultra—for all three group stage games as well as a 30-minute post-match show following the Group D finale against Real Salt Lake on July 22.
Radio
Sporting’s official radio partners will also air all three group stage matches live, with La Grande 1340 AM carrying each game in Spanish. Sports Radio 810 WHB will broadcast matches on July 12 and July 17, while ESPN 94.5 FM and 1510 AM will carry the group stage finale on July 22.
Streaming
All three games can be streamed live via the ESPN app. FOX Sports Kansas City's pre-game and post-game shows will stream on the FOX Sports GO app and at FOXSportsGO.com. In addition, SportingKC.com will stream a replay of all three group stage contests. A schedule of match replays will be announced soon.
MLS is Back Tournament Programming Schedule
Sunday, July 12: Sporting vs. Minnesota United FC
- 6 p.m. CT – Sporting KC Live presented by Michelob Ultra
(FOX Sports Kansas City, FOX Sports GO) - 7 p.m. CT – Match broadcast
(ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ESPN app, Sports Radio 810 WHB, LA Grande 1340 AM)
Friday, July 17: Sporting vs. Colorado Rapids
- 6 p.m. CT – Sporting KC Live presented by Michelob Ultra
(FOX Sports Kansas City, FOX Sports GO) - 7 p.m. CT – Match broadcast
(ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ESPN app, Sports Radio 810 WHB, LA Grande 1340 AM)
Wednesday, July 22: Sporting vs. Real Salt Lake
- 7 a.m. CT – Sporting KC Live presented by Michelob Ultra
(FOX Sports Kansas City, FOX Sports GO) - 8 a.m. CT – Match broadcast
(ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ESPN app, ESPN 94.5 FM & 1510 AM, LA Grande 1340 AM) - 10 a.m. CT – Post-match
(FOX Sports Kansas City, FOX Sports GO)
