Report: MLS plans to hold regular season after MLS is Back Tournament
Steven Goff first reported the news
News broke this morning, just as we are seeing a surge in positive COVID-19 test results on MLS rosters, that the league is considering resuming the 2020 regular season following the MLS is Back Tournament in Orlando. Plans following the tournament were previously unclear, but Steven Goff of the Washington Post reported this morning that the league hopes to play an 18-22 game regular season in home markets.
In speaking with several folks around MLS, the league is aiming for additional 18-22 reg season matches per club in home markets, starting mid/late August. Pandemic will dictate plans, especially on that timetable. All eyes on USL & MLB. Still very early stages of discussions.
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) July 2, 2020
Caveats obviously abound. For one, the league needs this tournament to go off without a hitch before they can even consider having teams host games at home. Several outlets have been reporting that teams traveling to Orlando are having positive tests come up after arrival, with FC Dallas the worst hit with nearly a dozen positive tests. This is all happening amid a backdrop of states around the country shattering their daily records for confirmed cases.
The Sounders are set to leave for Florida tomorrow, July 3rd. Their first game of the MLS is Back Tournament is scheduled for next Friday against the San Jose Earthquakes.