The 2011 Major League Soccer season got off to a much stronger start than last year.



Tuesday’s Galaxy/Sounders MLS season opener earned a 0.39 U.S. rating and 604,000 viewers on ESPN, up 129% in ratings and 112% in viewership from last year (PHI/SEA: 0.17, 285K).

The Galaxy’s win was also up 85% in viewership from the 2009 season opener, which featured the Sounders’ MLS debut (NY/SEA: 327K).

The game also earned 79,000 viewers on ESPN Deportes, up 84% from last year (PHI/SEA: 43K).

Combining the household and P2+ viewership for the ESPN and ESPN Deportes telecasts, Tuesday’s match drew a 0.43 U.S. rating and 683,000 viewers, up 115% and 108%, respectively, from last year (0.20, 328K).

(ESPN)