For the fourth consecutive year, a contingent of MLS teams will descend on Tucson, Arizona to take part in the Desert Diamond Cup.
The Colorado Rapids, New England Revolution, Real Salt Lake, Seattle Sounders, and Sporting Kansas City make up a five-deep MLS contingent to go along with the hosts, FC Tucson.
Games will take place on February 18, 21, 25 and 28, with the tournament champion crowned on the final day, just a week before the season proper begins in earnest. All games will be played at the North Kino Sports Complex.
All 12 games will be streamed live on MLSsoccer.com. The complete schedule is below (ET), and you can find the full slate of preseason games, results and highlights here.
Round 1: Wednesday, Feb. 18
Game #1, 7:30 pm: Colorado Rapids vs. Sporting Kansas City, Kino North Stadium
Game #2, 8:00 pm: Real Salt Lake vs. New England Revolution, Kino North Grand Stand
Game #3, 10:00 pm: Seattle Sounders FC vs. FC Tucson, Kino North Stadium
Round 2: Saturday, Feb. 21
Game #4, 7:30 pm: Colorado Rapids vs. New England Revolution, Kino North Stadium
Game #5, 8:00 pm: Real Salt Lake vs. FC Tucson, Kino North Grand Stand
Game #6, 10:00 pm: Seattle Sounders FC vs. Sporting Kansas City, Kino North Stadium
Round 3: Wednesday, Feb. 25
Game #7, 7:30 pm: Colorado Rapids vs. FC Tucson, Kino North Stadium
Game #8, 8:00 pm: Seattle Sounders FC vs. New England Revolution, Kino North Grand Stand
Game #9, 10:00 pm: Real Salt Lake vs. Sporting Kansas City, Kino North Stadium
Finals: Saturday, Feb. 28
Game #10, 6:30 pm: 5th Place vs. 6th Place, Kino North Stadium
Game #11, 7:00 pm: 3rd Place vs. 4th place, Kino North Grand Stand
Game #12, 9:00 pm: 1st Place vs. 2nd Place, Kino North Stadium
For tickets, visit shop.fctucson.com. Out-of-town visitors can learn more about the Tucson area and purchase an experience package at mlspreseason.com.
THE TEAMS
The Rapids enter their second season under head coach Pablo Mastroeni looking to bounce back from a 2014 season that saw the club finish eighth in the West after making the playoffs in 2013. They've strengthened the center of the midfield over the offseason, adding MLS Cup champion Marcelo Sarvas, Sam Cronin and Lucas Pittinari.
The host team competes in the Premier Development League, finishing first in the Mountain division in 2014 and advancing to the Conference Finals in PDL playoffs. Notable former players include Seattle Sounders midfielder Aaron Long and Montreal Impact defender Donny Toia.
After making a run to MLS Cup just a few months ago, the Revs enter 2015 as one of the favorites in the Eastern Conference. They bring back Best XI midfielder Lee Nguyen and USMNT midfielder Jermaine Jones, while adding forward Juan Agudelo during the offseason.
Real Salt Lake were torn apart by the LA Galaxy in the 2014 playoffs and enter 2015 after some rebuilding during the offseason. Gone are longtime stalwarts Chris Wingert, Ned Grabavoy and Nat Borchers, with GM Garth Lagerwey heading to Seattle as well. In steps former RSL man Jamison Olave and new technical director Craig Waibel.
The Supporters’ Shield winners come into preseason returning most of their 2014 roster. One big exception, of course, would be DeAndre Yedlin, who has moved on to Tottenham Hotspur. English Premier League veteran Tyrone Mears is expected to take his place.
It was an offseason of change for the 2013 MLS Cup champions. They have a new goalkeeper in Luis Marin, a new (old) midfield destroyer in Roger Espinoza and a new striker in Krisztian Nemeth. Oh, and they've got a new conference, too.
