Real Salt Lake: RSL to open 2011 campaign at San Jose

For the second straight year Real Salt Lake will open the MLS season in the Bay Area.

The league announced 2011 home openers for all 18 teams, and RSL kicks off the season at San Jose on Saturday, March 19 at 8:30 p.m. A week later the team returns to Rio Tinto Stadium to host the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday, March 26 at 7 p.m.

With expansion teams Portland and Vancouver joining the league in 2011, teams will play a 34-game regular season schedule instead of a 30-game schedule.

The MLS season officially gets under way Tuesday, March 15, when Seattle hosts the Los Angeles Galaxy. Defending MLS Cup champion Colorado will host expansion club Portland on opening weekend, while Vancouver hosts fellow Canadian side Toronto in its first-ever match.

Real Salt Lake will already have two competitive matches under its belt by March 19.

The CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal round kicks off on Feb. 22, with Columbus hosting RSL. The teams return to Utah a week later for the second leg on March 1. Should RSL advance, it would open the semifinal series at Rio Tinto Stadium, likely on Tuesday, March 15.

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