Los Angeles FC Presents Countdown to MLS is Back Tournament
Los Angeles FC has found a creative way to announce the participation of Ecuadorian player José Cifuentes in the upcoming MLS is Back Tournament. The tournament is a special format approved by the US league to conclude the 25th MLS season, which was suspended on March 12 due to the coronavirus pandemic. In a post on @LAFC's Twitter account, the team shared an image of the 21-year-old midfielder wearing the number 13 jersey, with the caption "11 days... Countdown presented by Toyota".
1⃣1⃣ days...
Countdown presented by @ToyotaSoCal.
Cifuentes is one of the two Ecuadorian players on Los Angeles FC's roster. He joined the team after the signing of left-back Diego Palacios. According to the MLS schedule, the MLS is Back Tournament will be played behind closed doors until August 11, with all matches taking place at the Disney World sports complex in Orlando, Florida. Los Angeles FC, part of Group F, will face Houston Dynamo in their opening match on July 18, followed by a match against their archrival LA Galaxy on July 23, and a match against Portland Timbers on July 23. The group stage of the tournament will consist of 16 consecutive days of games, with each team playing three matches against teams in their group.
"All results from the group stage games will count towards the 2020 MLS regular season standings, as well as qualification for the MLS is Back Tournament knockout stage," explained the organization. The top teams will advance to the elimination stage (round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and final). The winner of the tournament will secure a spot in the 2021 Concacaf Champions League. (D)