FC Dallas Withdraws from M.L.S. Tournament Because of Virus Cases
Major League Soccer pulled FC Dallas out of its match close to Orlando, Fla., after 10 gamers and a workers member examined optimistic for the coronavirus, M.L.S. officers introduced on Monday.
The optimistic assessments appeared after the staff arrived on July 1 in Florida, the place the match begins Wednesday on the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on the Walt Disney World Resort. All of the staff’s gamers, coaches and workers have been quarantining of their rooms as of Saturday, in keeping with The Associated Press.
“Given the impact of the number of positive tests on the club’s ability to train and play competitive matches, we have made the decision to withdraw FC Dallas from the M.L.S. is Back Tournament,” M.L.S. Commissioner Don Garber stated in a press release.
Three gamers from two different groups additionally examined optimistic for the virus, bringing the entire to 13 out of 557 gamers in Florida. The remaining 25 golf equipment are set to compete within the monthlong match, as M.L.S. turns into one of the primary skilled sports activities leagues to return to competitors in North America. The National Women’s Soccer League is underway, and the N.B.A. and W.N.B.A. are set to carry comparable tournaments in Florida later in July.
FC Dallas Coach Luchi Gonzalez agreed with the league’s resolution to drag the staff from the match, in keeping with a team statement. The team is set to return to Frisco, Texas, following Florida and Texas safety protocols. Both states have seen a significant rise in infections over the past week, with Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas last week mandating residents wear face masks in public to contain the spread.
“We’re looking forward to resuming the 2020 season once the entire club is healthy and in position to play competitive matches at the highest level,” FC Dallas President Dan Hunt said.
His team is not the only missing component from the M.L.S. comeback: The 2019 M.L.S. most valuable player and reigning scoring champion Carlos Vela, a Los Angeles Football Club forward, announced he would skip the season for family reasons.
“I always want to give everything I have to my Club, our fans and supporters and the city of L.A.,” he said in a statement. “However, it is in the best interest of the health of my family to stay home and be with my wife during what is a risky pregnancy.”
