The Nutmeg Podcast: Assistant coach Kerry Zavagnin talks "MLS is Back" with 610 Sports Radio

Sam Kovzan

After nearly three months of suspended play due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Major League Soccer broke the ice this week by announcing the MLS is Back Tournament, which will take place from July 8 to Aug. 11 at ESPN Wide World of Sports at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando.


Sporting learned their three group stage opponents for the historic competition this afternoon, joining Group D alongside Western Conference rivals Real Salt Lake, Colorado Rapids and Minnesota United FC.


With Sporting Kansas City ramping up their preparations for next month, the Nutmeg Podcast host Josh Klingler caught up with assistant coach Kerry Zavagnin to discuss the momentous tournament.


"The fact that we've created a World Cup-style to capture the attention even further is a great idea," Zavagnin said. "It's the best solution considering the circumstances that we face right now. All of our players and coaches are looking forward to the opportunity. It's really going to be interesting in that group phase, in which games are going to be played every day. They're going to come fast and furious in a World Cup format, which is always interesting in the group phase and adds some excitement in the later knockout phases as well. There's obviously bonus money involved and Champions League qualification (up for grabs), so I think it's meaningful for both fans and players."


Listen to the full podcast below and click here for more information about the MLS is Back Tournament and Sporting's tournament draw.



Previous episodes of The Nutmeg Podcast


Sam Kovzan -
@skovzan

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