CONCACAF Champions League's resumption is one factor contributing to talks of a later MLS start
There are multiple options on the table for what the start of the '21 MLS season could look like, including talks of matches now beginning in April, according to sources. The possibility of a later start date stems from numerous factors, sources said, including key stakeholders further assessing what the state of the pandemic might be in early '21, as well as waiting for more fans to be allowed to attend matches based on guidelines provided by local officials and health authorities. The possibility of the CONCACAF Champions League tournament resuming after the MLS Cup concludes on Dec. 12 is another factor contributing to talks of a later start, the sources said. LAFC, the Impact, Atlanta United and NYCFC remain involved in the competition. MLS Commissioner Don Garber spoke at the National Sports Safety & Security Conference recently, saying, “We generally start in March, but I’m not sure that will happen this year. As the other leagues have talked about starting later, we’re thinking about the same thing.” He also noted that question marks remain about when there will be a vaccine that’s “readily available.” Garber said of fan attendance, “We have to model out a dozen different scenarios, whether that’s how many of our teams will allow fans, at what level will they allow them and what are our forecasts that even if they are allowed to have fans, what level of attendance would take place. That all has economic ramifications because we are a gameday-driven business.”
