MLS announce 2012 competition format

Major League Soccer announced the competition format for the 2012 regular season and MLS Cup playoffs on Sunday.

Each of the 19 MLS clubs will play 34 games, with Western Conference clubs to play each West opponent three times, while East teams will play seven conference opponents three times each (21 games).

Having a competitively determined site for MLS Cup is one of the most exciting improvements our Board of Governors has adopted, MLS executive vice president Nelson Rodriguez said.

We believe this provides every club a tremendous incentive during our regular season and ensures a festive and boisterous setting for our championship game.

The Montreal Impact will begin their inaugural MLS season as the 10th team in the Eastern Conference, while the…