Los Angeles -
With the MLS is Back tournament, which has a format similar to that of the FIFA World Cup, the league will restart despite the risks of the coronavirus pandemic, which is hitting Florida hard. The 54-match tournament, which is set to start on July 8, will feature several Ecuadorians competing: Xavier Arreaga (Seattle Sounders), Cristian Penilla (New England Revolution), Jhegson Méndez (Orlando City), Diego Palacios and José Cifuentes (both from Los Angeles FC).
Fears surrounding the MLS tournament, as well as the resumption of the NBA, which will also take place at Disney World starting on July 30, have been growing in recent weeks due to the significant increase in COVID-19 cases in Florida, where there have been over 100,000 new infections since June 19.
The majority of the 26 teams are already housed in the Disney World sports complex, where they are subjected to a strict protocol to detect coronavirus cases and prevent contagion.
At least 12 players have tested positive since last week and have been quarantined at Disney World. This is a very low percentage considering the more than 2,000 tests that the league has conducted on players and staff, but it has already impacted the tournament.
And at least six of those players belong to the same team, FC Dallas, which led the MLS to postpone the first match of that franchise against the Vancouver Whitecaps, which was scheduled for Thursday, June 9.
After the tournament ends on August 11, the winner will qualify for the 2021 Concacaf Champions League and the MLS hopes to resume the regular season in the teams' stadiums with a reduced schedule.
The MLS is Back tournament will have all 26 teams gathered at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Florida. (D)