Massive Report · Aug 12, 2020
Crew players, coaches comfortable with returning to play in market with continuing protocols
Matthew Stith and Jared MartinezJust over a month ago, the MLS is Back Tournament started in uncertainty. After multiple positive COVID-19 tests upon arrival at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Florida, both FC Dallas and Nashville SC were sent home from the tournament. When the first game began on July 8, it was far from clear if Major League Soccer’s return-to-play plan would work.
On Tuesday night, MLS crowned a tournament champion, the Portland Timbers, in what turned out to be a successful month-plus event. While COVID-19 cases continued to rise around the country, the MLS players in the “bubble” were safe with no positive tests the remainder of the tournament.