MLS schedule: TFC, Impact get byes on WCQ weekends, Whitecaps don’t

Either MLS figures that the Vancouver Whitecaps won’t be significantly affected by Canadian World Cup-qualifying call-ups, or the ‘Caps are simply a victim of coincidence.

Because, on first glance, it looks like MLS has done what it can to insulate Toronto FC and the Montreal Impact from the World Cup qualifying cycle, but the Whitecaps don’t get any byes on the weeks that Canada is going to play World Cup qualifiers.

The MLS schedule was released Thursday.

In the next WC qualifying window, Canada plays Mexico at BC Place on March 25, then travels to Mexico on March 29.

The Whitecaps are scheduled to play away to the Houston Dynamo on March 26.

But Toronto FC has a bye that weekend. So does the Impact.

In the late-summer qualifying window, Canada plays what will likely be two vital matches — at Honduras Sept. 2 and home to El Salvador Sept. 6.

The Whitecaps will host the New York Red Bulls on Sept. 3. Toronto FC has a bye that weekend. The Impact has a bye on the weekend, but hosts the Philadelphia Union in a midweek match Sept. 7.

In the November World Cup cycle, national-team coach named Whitecaps Sam Adekugbe, Russell Teibert and Kianz Froese to the roster. If Floro keeps calling those players, the Whitecaps will be able to say that their season will be more impacted by World Cup qualifiers than the other two Canadian side.

MLS will break after games June 2 and won’t play again till June 18, which insulates all clubs from the Copa America Centenario, which is scheduled to be played on American soil.

Check the MLS schedule HERE.