Home Depot Center Pegged As Host Of 2011 MLS Cup

The MLS Cup is returning to Carson, California. For a record forth time, the Home Depot Center, home to both the Los Angeles Galaxy and Chivas USA,  will host Major League Soccer's biggest game of the year. The game will take place on Sunday November 20, 2011, at 9 pm ET, and will be televised live on ESPN and Galavision in the United States and on TSN in Canada.

"We are proud and excited to bring Major League Soccer's championship event back to the City of Los Angeles and the Home Depot Center, one of the finest sports venues in the United States," MLS Commissioner Don Garber said in a statement. "MLS Cup has grown into a four-day celebration of the world's game in North America. We believe that Los Angeles and the Home Depot Center will be a superb stage for MLS Cup 2011."

The Home Depot Center last hosted the MLS Cup in 2008 when the Columbus Crew took down the New York Red Bulls 2-1 to capture their first league title. The Home Depot Center also hosted the 2004 and 2003 MLS Cups. 

While this is a big game for the league each year, having this game late in the evening on a Sunday isn't ideal for most east coast fans. The MLS Cup will likely be going up against a big Sunday night football game in the NFL (if their lockout ever ends). For a league that needs better ratings, this could be a tough sell if a couple marquee names aren't involved.