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Coronavirus: MLS plans 2020 season return with all teams play in Orlando

The league’s 26 teams and limited staff would likely be sheltered in a resort with games played without fans

Anne Peterson
Thursday 14 May 2020 09:44 BST
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Coronavirus: How has sport been affected?

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Major League Soccer is looking at the possibility of resuming the season this summer with all teams playing in Orlando, Florida.

Details of the plan are still under consideration, but the league’s 26 teams and limited staff would likely be sheltered in a resort with games played without fans at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney World, a person with knowledge of the plan told The Associated Press.

Teams could head to Florida as early as 1 June for training camps. The league suspended play on 12 March after teams had played just two games.

“I think the league is still at a stage, from what I understand, where this particular idea is something that they have in mind and are trying to get feedback from teams about as to what it could look like and how it could work,” Nashville coach Gary Smith said.

“Personally, again, we’re in uncharted territory here. I certainly, along with probably most other people, have never seen anything like it before. So therefore, you have to be a little bit more open-minded about what a season could look like.”

Other proposals have included teams playing a tournament-style competition in four different cities. There’s also the possibility teams could return to their home stadiums for games following the resumption of the season in Orlando.

It was not immediately clear whether any of the plans had been presented to the players’ union. AP

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