For the first time since match play was suspended March 12 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Major League Soccer action will resume July 8 with the historic and unprecedented MLS is Back Tournament. This one-of-a-kind competition will see all 26 clubs descend on ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, marking the emphatic return of men's professional soccer in the United States after a near four-month hiatus.
As the opening match approaches, SportingKC.com is presenting a 20-day preview of the World-Cup style tournament from June 18 through July 7 called Countdown to MLS is Back presented by Children's Mercy Sports Medicine Center.
Sporting Kansas City will kick off their Group D campaign on July 12 against rivals Minnesota United FC before facing the Colorado Rapids on July 17 and Real Salt Lake on July 22, with all three games shown live nationally on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and the ESPN app. To visit the series homepage as it expands, head to SportingKC.com/MLSisBack.
To describe the MLS is Back Tournament as unique would be quite the understatement. There has simply never been anything else like it. Twenty-six professional teams descending on one location for an inside-the-bubble, quarantine-friendly competition amidst a pandemic? It only sounds appropriate for the year 2020.
The tournament itself will mimic the World Cup in terms of format and schedule, but with a few added wrinkles. Here's everything you need to know about how the event will work.
What is the tournament format?
- All 26 MLS clubs have been divided into six groups. Group A contains six teams, while Groups B through F contain four each. Groups A, C and E contain the 14 Eastern Conference teams, while Groups B, D and F contain the 12 Western Conference sides. Nashville SC has moved from the West to the East for the rest of 2020.
- All clubs will play three group stage matches that count toward the 2020 regular season standings.
- The top 16 teams from the group stage will advance to the knockout rounds. That field will include the top two finishers in each group as well as the four best third-place finishers.
- A single-elimination bracket will unfold from the Round of 16 to the Championship. These single-leg matches will go straight to penalty kicks if tied after 90 minutes.
- The tournament will feature a continuous schedule of matches nearly every day, with games beginning at 8 a.m., 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. CT. Most matches will be played in the evening. The group stage will see 16 consecutive days of MLS action from July 8-23.
- To view the MLS is Back Tournament competition guidelines, click here.
What do we know about Sporting's group?
- Sporting has been drawn into Group D alongside Western Conference rivals Real Salt Lake, the Colorado Rapids and Minnesota United FC.
- Sporting's three group stage fixtures will take place between July 8-23, with a full tournament schedule and broadcast details to be announced in the coming days.
<strong>GROUP</strong> |
<strong>A</strong> |
<strong>B</strong> |
<strong>C</strong> |
<strong>D</strong> |
<strong>E</strong> |
<strong>F</strong> |
<strong>POSITION</strong> |
<strong>Eastern</strong> |
<strong>Western</strong> |
<strong>Eastern</strong> |
<strong>Western</strong> |
<strong>Eastern</strong> |
<strong>Western</strong> |
<strong>1</strong> |
ORL |
SEA |
TOR |
RSL |
ATL |
LAFC |
<strong>2</strong> |
MIA |
DAL |
NE |
SKC |
CIN |
LA |
<strong>3</strong> |
NYC |
VAN |
MTL |
COL |
RBNY |
HOU |
<strong>4</strong> |
PHI |
SJ |
DC |
MIN |
CLB |
POR |
<strong>5</strong> |
CHI |
|||||
<strong>6</strong> |
NSH |
What dates should we mark on our calendars?
- June 24: Teams begin arriving in Florida
- Early July: Sporting arrives in Florida
- July 8: Opening match between Orlando City SC and Inter Miami CF
- July 8-23: MLS is Back Tournament group stage
- July 25-28: Round of 16
- July 30- Aug. 1: Quarterfinals
- Aug. 5-6: Semifinals
- Aug.11: Championship
Are there any other special tournament rules?
- The substitution limit for the tournament will follow the new protocol set by the IFAB and allow five substitutions per match, up from the standard three.
- Teams will be able to name a matchday roster of 23 players, up from the standard 18.
- As is the case during regular MLS play, the Professional Referees Organization (PRO) will have access to Video Review for all games.
What's at stake for Sporting?
A lot, actually, and glad you asked. We'll get to all of this in Friday's edition of the MLS is Back Tournament countdown.
Does MLS have a detailed COVID-19 testing procedure in place?
Most definitely. You can read all about it here, but the basics are below:
- All individuals (players, coaches, staff, etc.) traveling to Orlando will undergo regular testing in the weeks leading up to the trip.
- During an individual’s first two weeks in Orlando, that person will be tested every other day. After those first 14 days, players, coaches and PRO staff will be tested regularly, including the day before each matchday.
- Self-temperature screenings and the completion of standardized screening questionnaires will be required for all individuals involved at the tournament.
- A positive response to the daily questionnaire or a temperature check above 100.3 degrees must be reported and the individual in question will be isolated immediately and COVID-19 testing will be performed.
What will happen after the tournament ends?
- MLS plans to continue its regular season later this summer with a revised schedule in home markets.
- The regular season will be followed by the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs and the 25th MLS Cup. The revised regular season schedule will be released at a later date.
