MLS commissioner Doug Logan has announced several changes to the league’s 1997 schedule.
Six games have been moved to different dates, while an additional four games will kickoff at a different time. Stadium conflicts due to the recent release of the NFL schedule, as well as player demand due to World Cup qualifying matches, were major factors contributing to the date changes.
Here is a list of MLS schedule changes:
Date Changes
Note: all times are eastern.
| Game | New Date/Time | Old Date/Time |
| Columbus at D.C. United | July 30, 7:30 p.m. | June 28, 7:30 p.m. |
| New England at MetroStars | Aug. 6, 7:30 p.m. | June 29, 7:30 p.m. |
| New England at D.C. United | Aug. 27, 7:30 p.m. | Sept. 6, 7:30 p.m. |
| New England at Tampa Bay | Aug. 30, 7:30 p.m. | Aug. 31, 3:00 p.m. |
| San Jose at Colorado | Sept. 17, 9:00 p.m. | Sept. 13, 9:00 p.m. |
| D.C. United at Tampa Bay | Sept. 26, 7:30 p.m. | Sept. 13, 7:30 p.m. |
Time Changes
Note: all times are eastern.
| Date | Game | New Time | Old Time |
| April 19 | D.C. United at MetroStars | 7:00 p.m. | 7:30 p.m. |
| May 29 | D.C. United at Columbus | 7:30 p.m. | 8:00 p.m. |
| July 26 | New England at Kansas City | 8:30 p.m. (ESPN) | 3:30 p.m. |
| Aug. 31 | Colorado at Dallas | 3:00 p.m. (Univision) | 8:30 p.m. |