Literally an hour before the Major League Soccer match between Toronto FC and D.C. United on Sunday morning, the league postponed it due to an “unconfirmed positive” player test.
MLS postpones Toronto FC vs. DC United match.
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— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 12, 2020
Major League Soccer announced that today’s D.C. United vs. Toronto FC match has been postponed and will be rescheduled. MLS will announce details later today for the rescheduled match.
Under the league’s health and safety protocols, clubs are tested the day before each match. The results of yesterday’s tests for D.C. United and Toronto FC produced an initial unconfirmed positive COVID-19 case for one player and an inconclusive test for another player. Because of the arrival time of the clubs in Orlando, the league’s protocol called for retesting both teams this morning and to await the results of those tests prior to playing the match.
Major League Soccer will continue to prioritize the health and safety of all participants of the MLS is Back Tournament in making these decisions.
MLS deputy commissioner Mark Abbott did tell TSN that the positive test came from a D.C. United player while the inconclusive result came from a Toronto player. MLS’s health and safety protocol dictate that both squads were required to be re-tested Sunday morning before the match, which then led to the postponement.
Abbott implied it’s possible the match could be played as soon as Sunday night, though that seems unlikely. Monday appears to be the most likely first chance to try again. Regardless of when it happens, it’s just the latest in what’s becoming a long list of positive tests involving MLS players as the league attempts to restart.
https://twitter.com/mattpyzdrowski/status/1282291019636183041
Six games have been played since MLS returned but many have been postponed or delayed. FC Dallas withdrew from the return efforts after they saw positive players tests in the double-digits. Nashville SC was also kicked out of the tournament after nine of their players tested positive for Covid-19. One player for Sporting Kansas City also tested positive on Friday, though their match against Minnesota United is still on for Sunday night at this point. Real Salt Lake and the Colorado Rapids are also expected to play Sunday night, though that could all change with another positive test.
We’ll see how things progress from here but it’s becoming abundantly clear why players like LAFC forward Carlos Vela opted out of the MLS is Back tournament. It hardly seems worth the risk, especially if you’ve got at-risk people in your life.
[MLS]
