MLS: Ongoing virus knocks out Dallas; depletes team rosters

As Major League Soccer prepares for its MLS Is Back tournament, teams see spikes in COVID-19 infections. FC Dallas was forced to withdraw due to having 10 players test positive.

By

Sports

July 8, 2020 - 10:50 AM

FC Dallas fans celebrate at the start of an MLS soccer match against Philadelphia Union on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. Photo by Ryan Michalesko/Staff Photographer/tns

Major League Soccer is about to resume its season — in a state that has seen a huge spike in coronavirus infections, with one team absent because of a COVID-19 outbreak, and with plenty of worry about what will happen next.

The MLS is Back tournament starts today in Florida. The league’s teams are sequestered in resorts for the duration of the World Cup-style tournament, which will be played without fans at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports complex at Walt Disney World.

FC Dallas withdrew from the tournament on Monday after 10 players and a coach tested positive for the virus. On Tuesday, Nashville SC’s status was thrown into doubt with five confirmed positive tests.

Related
July 9, 2020
July 2, 2020
June 5, 2020
June 2, 2020