A spokesman for Major League Soccer said on Monday that while the league is weighing the possibility of potential changes to its schedule in the future, a shift to a more European-like schedule in 2014 is not a possibility.
A report published Monday in the New York Daily News citing league sources indicated that the league is considering a schedule that would begin in late July or early August and include a six- to eight-week winter break before wrapping up with MLS cup in May or June, beginning as early as next year.
The MLS spokesman, however, denied that any major changes are on hand for next season.
“We recently conducted a survey and it had some questions about possibly moving the schedule, the MLS spokesman told MLSsoccer.com via e-mail on Monday. “We regularly conduct market research on a variety of topics. Our fans’ preferences are important to us and we’ve proven to be good listeners.
“We will announce plans for the 2014 season before MLS Cup. The timing of the 2014 schedule will be very similar to the current season.”
MLS executive vice president of communications Dan Courtemanche took to Twitter on Monday to respond to rumors about a scheduling change following the report in the Daily News.
“'Rumors’ is an appropriate way to classify it,” Courtemanche responded via Twitter. “MLS has reviewed many possible schedule formats throughout the years.
“We hope to announce soon, but the timing will be very similar to the current season. Many options have been considered, and the fans will have a voice IF the schedule format ever changes.”
The league schedule currently runs uninterrupted from early March through early December, with this year’s final falling on Dec. 7, the latest date for an MLS Cup in the league’s 18-year history.
