After Major League Soccer went into a training and game moratorium in March, merely two weeks after the beginning of the MLS 2020 Regular Season amid the Coronavirus pandemic. The league is now coming back with the MLS is Back Tournament which will be held in World-Cup style format, begging with all 26 teams competing in group stages, moving on to round of 16 and then onwards to playoff series.
The MLS is Back Tournament will be held in Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Florida. Teams are already arriving to “the bubble” and will be staying for the entire duration of the tournament in hotels and facilities in Disney’s parks nearby. The MLS is Back Tournament will kick off on July 8 and will be held without any fans in the stands.
It was unclear whether the league was planning to resume the 2020 Regular Season after the MLS is Back Tournament and it what format. But yesterday it was reported that given a spike on COVID-19 positive test results amongst players and staff, the MLS is looking now looking to resume the regular season after the tournament is done.
Washington Post’s Steven Goff reported yester that the MLS is hoping to still play season of 18 to 22 games in home markets, once possible. Although teams are arriving at “the bubble” this week, there are many concerns and voices wondering on whether the MLS is Back Tournament is the right thing to do right now, with Florida becoming one of the most badly-hit states with coronavirus, reporting over 3,500 deaths, at a rate of almost 60 per day.
There are also players that are being tested positive for coronavirus, with 6 players and staff from FC Dallas that have been tested positive prior to travel, as well as other players and staff from more teams, some that have been tested positive for COVID-19 after arriving to the complex.
MLS Easter Conference side NYCFC and a few other clubs have been postponing their departure to Orlando, and some notable players have opted out of the tournament. Namely one of the most decorated players in Major League Soccer’s history, Carlos Vela from LAFC who is likely to give it a miss. Accordingly, there are many doubts about the MLS is Back Tournament bringing the league any benefit to cover the serious health risks it imposes, and some say it shouldn’t be held at all.
