Chivas USA announced today its season opener against the Colorado Rapids has been switched from Sunday, March 28 to Friday, March 26 at Home Depot Center.

The date was changed because Telefutura would not have televised Sunday’s game anyway, due to changes in its schedule and Chivas USA officials believe the game would be a bigger draw on a Friday evening. MLS clubs – and especially Chivas USA given its fan demographics – have historically had a tough time drawing fans on Sundays.

Kickoff for the Friday game, the second of the MLS season, is at 7:30 p.m. A complete MLS schedule will be released next month.

Also, Chivas USA, which began preseason training Tuesday, has waived veteran defender Jim Curtin and Serb Bojan Stepanovic.

Stepanovic made seven starts for Chivas USA after arriving in mid-season, scoring one goal and recording two assists.

Curtin, 30, a nine-year MLS veteran, made just two starts last year.