MLS moves up kick off time against D.C. United

Major League Soccer announced today that they’re moving the kickoff time for the Portland Timbers match against D.C. United on Sunday September 15th.

Originally the kick off time was set for 4:30pm, it has now been moved up to a lunch time kick off of 12:30pm and will be aired on ESPN. That weekend marks the fourth to last weekend of the 2019 MLS season.

This is all part of the leagues “Flex” broadcast scheduling, this allows national broadcasters to select the most compelling and pivotal matches throughout the league. Flex will also be used on the weekends of September 22nd and 29th.

Here’s the release in full:

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER ANNOUNCES TIME, BROADCAST CHANGES FOR TIMBERS’ SEPT. 15 HOME MATCH AGAINST D.C. UNITED

Portland’s home match against D.C. United features a new start time of 12:30 p.m. PT with broadcast on ESPN

PORTLAND, Ore. – Major League Soccer today announced flex-scheduling updates on ESPN and FS1 for matches on Sunday, Sept. 15. The Portland Timbers’ home match against D.C. United on Sept. 15 is now scheduled for 12:30 p.m. (Pacific) with a national television broadcast on ESPN.

Portland’s home match on Sept. 15 was originally scheduled for 4:30 p.m. (Pacific). The weekend of Sept. 15 marks the fourth-to-last weekend of the 2019 MLS regular season as teams are vying for the final sports in the Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Flex broadcast scheduling during the final month of the regular season allows national broadcast partners to select the most compelling matches and pivotal moments throughout the league. MLS’ national broadcast partners will also take advantage of the flex schedule process on Sept. 22 and 29.