Today is going to be a special day at MLSsoccer.com.
It happens to be 20 years to the day from the FIRST-EVER MLS MATCH on April 6, 1996 and we're pulling out all the stops with a livestream of the full ESPN broadcast between San Jose and D.C. United. And obviously, kickoff comes at the same time it did 20 years ago: 8 pm ET.
The fun starts with a special live MLS Facebook video Q&A starting at 7:30 pm ET, featuring former D.C. United star defender and current MLS VP of Competition, Jeff Agoos, and MLS President and Deputy Commissioner, Mark Abbott, who was the league's very first employee in 1993.
The Q&A will be followed by the original ESPN pregame show at 7:50 pm ET (get ready for it by checking out this page).
We'll also make sure you've got all the background you need with a fascinating oral history of the match, a 'Where are they now?' feature checking in on the game's protagonists, the story of how the Clash got their name and logo and a reminder of what life was really like back in April 1996.
So if you're new to MLS or your recollection is a bit hazy when it comes to those first uniforms or the early superstars in the league (if you've never watched "El Diablo" in all his mullet glory, this is your big chance), you won't want to miss out.
Plus, you can't beat live-tweeting about a match that happened 20 years ago with other fellow MLS fans (hashtag: #MLS96).
After all, when will you ever get another chance to reference former MLS defender Thor Lee (DC) or second-guess a 44-year-old Bruce Arena (DC manager) or have a US national team debate about Eric Wynalda (SJ), John Harkes (DC) and Agoos (DC)? And the cameo by former Melrose Place star Andrew Shue will surely not go unnoticed.
For three hours today it's going to be a '90s party for the whole MLS family and a unique chance to once again experience just how this whole thing got started.
