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How will MLS manage in-market play outside its Disney bubble?

After FC Dallas and Nashville SC were forced to withdraw from the MLS is Back tournament due to too many positive COVID-19 tests, the league successfully pulled off its summer tournament, featuring 24 teams competing in 51 matches over 35 days at the Walt Disney World Resort.

MLS continued its 25th season on Aug. 12 as Dallas hosted Nashville in front of nearly 3,000 fans at Toyota Stadium. All 26 clubs are scheduled to play 18 more regular-season games before 18 clubs — up from 14 in 2019 — participate in the postseason, which begins Nov. 20. The MLS Cup is scheduled for Dec. 12. 

Like MLS, the USL  resumed play in front of limited fans last month. Court Jeske, executive vice president, said the league is not only currently focused on finishing the 2020 campaign but “super-serving its growing fan base.”

“A priority for us, is without a doubt, expanding our media business and growing our scale through this pandemic. … We have to reach a wider audience, and we have to go deeper with the fans that we already have,” Jeske said. Last week, the USL announced two new media rights deals with SiriusXM and Caribbean broadcaster Flow Sports, the property’s first international television agreement.

The USL hasn’t set a start date for 2021 nor has it discussed whether it will move its traditional start time from the second week of March, Jeske said. That decision could come by the end of the calendar year, he added. 

Meanwhile, the NWSL completed its Utah-based tournament on July 26 with eight of nine teams after the Orlando Pride withdrew due to too many positive COVID-19 tests. During the Challenge Cup, the NWSL administered over 2,000 tests, netting zero positive cases. For the remainder of 2020, the league continues to have conversations about what a return-to-play format could look like. 

“As I’ve said before, if we can safely get our players back on the pitch for additional games in 2020, we will absolutely do so,” NWSL Commissioner Lisa Baird said in an emailed statement. “We continue to consider options, and in consultation with our players and owners, hope to finalize plans soon.”

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