Nashville exits tourney, MLS alters group format

Field Level Media
10 Jul 2020, 03:40 GMT+10

Major League Soccer announced Thursday an updated format and schedule for the MLS is Back Tournament after Nashville SC became the second team to withdraw from the event.

MLS reconfigured the six groups into four teams apiece as a result of the respective withdrawals of FC Dallas and Nashville due to a number of positive coronavirus tests.

Chicago Fire FC have moved from Group A to Group B, joining the San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders FC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The Fire will face the Sounders on Tuesday morning, the Earthquakes five nights later and the Whitecaps on July 23.

The MLS also altered another match, pitting the Sounders versus the Whitecaps on July 19.

Nashville had nine players test positive for COVID-19 since arriving in Florida.

"We have withdrawn Nashville SC from the MLS is Back Tournament. Due to the number of positive tests, the club has been unable to train since arriving in Orlando and would not be able to play matches," MLS Commissioner Don Garber said. "For every decision we make in our return to play, the wellbeing of our players, staff, officials and all participants is our top priority."

Nashville was scheduled to face the Chicago Fire late Wednesday at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando, but that game was postponed.

FC Dallas was forced to pull out of the tournament on Monday after 10 players and one member of the staff tested positive for COVID-19.

--Field Level Media

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