Note on MLS training protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic
All of them under the supervision of the teams, who in turn will have to comply with the security protocols established by local authorities and health agencies in their respective geographical areas.
The moratorium on small group and full team training at the league level will remain in effect until Friday, May 15.
One of the teams that will have their fields open to players will be the Houston Dynamo, without specific details about schedules and media access being known at the moment.
By allowing players to voluntarily use the training fields to work individually, MLS clubs will provide a controlled environment that ensures compliance with security protocols and social distancing measures for those who attend.
The individual player training protocol prohibits access to certain sections of club facilities, including locker rooms, gyms, and training rooms.
Only players receiving postoperative treatment and rehabilitation, as directed by the club's medical director, will be allowed access to team gyms and training rooms.
Prior to starting individual player training, each team must present a specific club plan to MLS that describes how the team will implement health and safety protocols.
These plans must include, among other requirements, allowing access to the facilities only for essential personnel, who must also be registered in the plan submitted to MLS, disinfection plans for all equipment and training spaces, including disinfection of any sports equipment used by players (balls, cones, goals) between each session.
They will also have to complete a standard evaluation survey for each player prior to each arrival at the training site and perform temperature checks upon entering the facilities. Gradual arrivals and departures of players and staff, with designated parking spaces to maintain maximum distance between vehicles, and always using protective masks.
Support staff will also use appropriate protection during training, while maintaining a minimum distance of three meters from players at all times. There will also be hand washing stations and required use of disinfectants before and after individual training sessions.
Outdoor training fields will be divided into a maximum of four quadrants per field, with a maximum of one player per quadrant in each training session, without sharing equipment or playing (passes, shots) between players.
Lastly, they must have an emergency action plan for all COVID-19 related issues.
All plans must be reviewed and approved by the club's medical staff and local infectious disease expert before being submitted to MLS.
Each club will designate a staff member to oversee compliance with the protocols recommended by MLS and the club's specific implementation plan, who will also be responsible for confirming the communication of these protocols to players and team personnel.
"This is a great opportunity to have contact with the players again, and although it is limited to physical work, from a psychological and team standpoint, it will help achieve the great goal of playing matches again, even without spectators," said Dynamo head coach Tab Ramos in a video conference. "They won't be in the stands, but we must be aware that we receive all their support."
Ramos admitted that regardless of what the league establishes in terms of how they will have to work, players will need at least four weeks before they can compete again.