Matchday 3: What to know, how to watch on MLS Season Pass | MLSSoccer.com

And just like that, the 2024 MLS season is in full swing.

Matchday 3 promises more high-octane action, highlighted by the Florida Derby between star-studded Inter Miami CF and Eastern Conference powerhouse Orlando City SC. That’s one of 14 games on deck.

As you watch MLS Season Pass on your device of choice, some reminders:

Apple TV – Free: games are free to watch; you only need an Apple ID.
Apple TV – MLS Season Pass: MLS Season Pass subscription is required.

MATCH 

WHEN

WATCH

Minnesota United FC vs. Columbus Crew

Saturday, March 2 – 2 pm ET

Apple TV – MLS Season Pass

Real Salt Lake vs. LAFC

Saturday, March 2 – 2 pm ET

Apple TV – MLS Season Pass

Inter Miami CF vs. Orlando City SC

Saturday, March 2 – 4:30 pm ET

Apple TV – FreeFOX & FOX Deportes

Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Charlotte FC

Saturday, March 2 – 7:30 pm ET

Apple TV – FreeTSN & RDS

Chicago Fire FC vs. FC Cincinnati

Saturday, March 2 – 8:30 pm ET

Apple TV – MLS Season Pass

FC Dallas vs. CF Montréal

Saturday, March 2 – 8:30 pm ET

Apple TV – Free

Houston Dynamo FC vs. New York Red Bulls

Saturday, March 2 – 8:30 pm ET

Apple TV – MLS Season Pass

Sporting Kansas City vs. Philadelphia Union

Saturday, March 2 – 8:30 pm ET

Apple TV – Free

St. Louis CITY SC vs. New York City FC

Saturday, March 2 – 8:30 pm ET

Apple TV – MLS Season Pass

Colorado Rapids vs. Nashville SC

Saturday, March 2 – 9:30 pm ET

Apple TV – Free

Portland Timbers vs. D.C. United

Saturday, March 2 – 10:30 pm ET

Apple TV – MLS Season Pass

San Jose Earthquakes vs. LA Galaxy

Saturday, March 2 – 10:30 pm ET

Apple TV – MLS Season Pass

Seattle Sounders FC vs. Austin FC

Saturday, March 2 – 10:30 pm ET

Apple TV – MLS Season Pass

New England Revolution vs. Toronto FC

Sunday, March 3 – 2 pm ET

Apple TV – MLS Season Pass

Inter Miami CF vs. Orlando City SC

WATCH: Apple TV – Free; FOX/FOX Deportes
WHEN: Saturday, 4:30 pm ET

Both Inter Miami matches last week brought the fireworks, albeit in different ways.

First, the Herons delighted their home fans with a 2-0 victory over Real Salt Lake. Then, in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at LA Galaxy, goalkeeper Drake Callender took the spotlight with a slew of acrobatic saves – including a blocked penalty – that set up Lionel Messi for a scene-stealing, stoppage-time equalizer to rescue a point.

Couple that flair for the dramatic with an in-state derby and you get plenty of tension to complement the usual skill fest from Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.

For Orlando, Luis Muriel is set to make his league debut. The Colombian international and former Atalanta striker played midweek in Concacaf Champions Cup, assisting Nicolás Lodeiro’s first goal for the Lions. Lodeiro is close friends with Suárez from their Uruguay national team days, while Orlando star Facundo Torres is another La Celeste player to track.

Who takes the bragging rights?

St. Louis CITY SC vs. New York City FC

WATCH: Apple TV – MLS Season Pass
WHEN: Saturday, 8:30 pm ET

St. Louis entered MLS last year and set a new standard on the pitch, breaking the league record for most wins by an expansion club. They also regularly sold out CITYPARK, their downtown venue that’s become an overnight soccer cathedral.

All signs point to their gameday atmosphere staying elite in 2024:

San Jose Earthquakes vs. LA Galaxy

WATCH: Apple TV – MLS Season Pass
WHEN: Saturday, 10:30 pm ET

The California Clásico between San Jose and LA may have been overshadowed in recent years by LAFC’s addition to the league, but there was a time when the NoCal vs. SoCal showdown was MLS’s premier West Coast rivalry.

With the specter of Landon Donovan’s controversial 2005 switch from San Jose to LA – plus plenty of heated matches – still lingering in the minds of hardcore supporters, this match carries psychological weight.

It also carries weight in the standings, with both clubs looking to improve on bottom-half-of-the-West finishes in 2023.

So far, the Galaxy – refreshed by the offseason addition of DP wingers Joseph Paintsil and Gabriel Pec – look more convincing than the Earthquakes. Featuring alongside midfielder Riqui Puig and striker Dejan Joveljic, LA should score plenty this year.

San Jose’s biggest offseason news was the departure of homegrown star Cade Cowell to Chivas. All-Star winger Cristian Espinoza remains, and Amahl Pellegrino helps replace Cowell’s contributions. But if last week’s 2-1 loss to a banged-up FC Dallas is any indication, they’ll need more help than that (read: a DP No. 10).