MLS does not plan to recreate a bubble environment as it did in FloridaGETTY IMAGES
MLS President & Deputy Commissioner Mark Abbott said the league is "not really" considering adding a bubble for the MLS Cup Playoffs, according to Jeff Carlisle of ESPN.com. Abbott said, "There are advantages and disadvantages to the bubble. I think that it becomes effective once you get established, but it's also disruptive in people's lives." (ESPN.com, 10/12). THE ATHLETIC's Stejskal & Tenorio cited sources as saying that although positive COVID-19 tests at multiple clubs forced postponement of three games last weekend, MLS is "unlikely to change its strategy for in-market games to complete the regular and postseason." Stejskal & Tenorio noted the logistics and cost of a bubble (or bubbles) "would make the plan difficult to pull off." Hotel availability is "more scarce now than it was over the summer, when MLS was able to take advantage of empty Disney resorts to create its MLS is Back Tournament." Timing also is "an issue," as creating a postseason bubble in the "span of roughly a month without any substantial prior logistical discussions would be a massive task." The league "would also face challenges in carving out time for a seven- to 10-day quarantine upon entry into a bubble, a vulnerability that was exposed earlier this year when two teams, FC Dallas and Nashville, were forced to withdraw from the MLS is Back Tournament" (THEATHLETIC.com, 10/12).
