How to watch MLS 2022 & Season Preview
The 27th season of the Major League Soccer begins on February 26 which means it’s time for us to present our season preview and predictions. 27 teams have become 28 from last season as Charlotte FC have joint the Western Conference, while Nashville FC made the switch to the Western Conference. An off-season full of personal changes and new exciting player arrivals makes it incredibly hard to give any preseasons predictions, though it’s clear that some teams look sharper and better prepared than others. Let us present our thoughts and ideas on the upcoming season, as well as important information on how to watch the MLS live on TV or live streaming.
Looking for the best streaming options for the MLS? We have uncovered an extensive MLS broadcasting guide for you to check out!
2022 MLS Season
Regular season: 26 Feb – 9 Oct
MLS Cup: 5 Nov
Number of teams: 28
Reigning champions: New York City FC
Reigning Supporter’s Shield winners: New England Revolution
TV / Live Streaming Guide
TV / LIVE STREAMING US:
- ESPN+ (Sign up here)
- Fox Sports
- Univision
- Bally Sports
TV / LIVE STREAMING CANADA:
- DAZN Canada (Sign up here)
- TSN
- TVA Sports
Season Preview
Eastern Conference – New England Revolution, led by Bruce Arena, reached new heights last season and were by far the best team during the regular season. Dropping points in only 12 out of 34 games and finishing 19 points better than second ranked Philadelphia Union underlined how well Arena made this team come together. However, last season’s performance doesn’t come without interests for the key players from bigger clubs abroad. Something that could prove to be a challenge as they try to defend the Supporter’s Shield from last season without Tajon Buchanan who has left the club, as well as Matt Turner who is expected to do the same in the summer.
This could open up a chance for Toronto FC, strengthened by the arrival of the World Cup-winner Lorenzo Insigne, or an Atlanta United side who has looked inspiring in pre-season. The Eastern Conference will be tight until the very last week and will probably give us a number of twists and turns throughout the season. We hold Columbus Crew SC along with Toronto FC as favorites to finish top of the table. One thing we know for sure is that this year's newcomers, Charlotte FC, will have a hard-thought first MLS season as their pre-season hasn’t exactly went down as planned with plenty of holes in the squad still to be filled, or as head coach Miguel Angel Ramirez summarised it earlier this month speaking ahead of the final pre-season preparations: “Right now, we're screwed,”.
Western Conference – The Western Conference has undoubtedly got stronger ahead of the 2022 season as Nashville SC entered the league after the introduction of Charlotte FC in the Eastern Conference. As always eyes will be on Los Angeles FC who have, except in the last season, been one of the best teams in the MLS since they joined the league five years ago. This season, they are the bookmaker’s favorite to win the MLS Cup and having looked at their talented squad it’s hard to not agree.
There are a lot of teams who can challenge LAFC though as Colorado Rapids, Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers among others will have a say this season. The Western Conference features a number of teams that could potentially go all the way and win the MLS Cup. Our prediction for the upcoming season is that we will have a Western Conference team winning the MLS Cup. If it’s going to be the Rapids, LAFC or perhaps the Sounders is left to be seen.
How to watch MLS on TV & live stream
There are three national broadcasters, ESPN, Fox Sports and Univision, covering at least 125 games per MLS season. The three current contracts are the most lucrative contracts in the history of MLS, worth approximately $90 million each per season. When it comes to the MLS Cup it has been alternated between ABC and Fox Sports.
If you’re watching from Canada you will have to tune in either DAZN Canada, CTV, TSN or TVA Sports to follow this MLS season. TSN and TVA Sport will work as the major airing networks and will air all matches played by Toronto FC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC. TVA Sport will be carrying the games in which CF Montreal are featuring.
In the cases where games are not broadcasted nationally, there will be regional sports networks covering the games. Some of the regional networks that you will find in the MLS TV and live streaming schedule are Bally Sports, NBC Sports Regional Networks and Root Sports.
Check out the MLS broadcast schedule here and stay up to date with the latest information on when and how to watch today’s MLS games on TV or live streaming.
Author: Dan Anderson