MLS Focuses on Safety – Follows CDC Guidelines
In unprecedented solidarity, soccer around the world stops to help slow the spread of the Coronavirus COVID-19. For soccer fans, this is a necessary but harsh reality of our uncertain time. The good news? Some MLS teams are starting to run highlights of their best games.
MLS Just releases this statement today
Major League Soccer announced on Thursday that it was extending the suspension of all matches, with a target return date of May 10.
The extension was made in accordance with Sunday’s guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to cancel all mass gatherings of 50 or more people for the next eight weeks.
The league said it remains intent on completing the full 2020 season schedule.
Below is the full statement from MLS:
In accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidance to postpone events involving more than 50 people over the next eight weeks, Major League Soccer has extended the postponement of its matches during this period of time. MLS remains focused on playing the entire 2020 season and is evaluating all options, including pushing back the end of the season and playing MLS Cup in December, as the league did prior to the 2019 season. The league is also identifying other available dates. Throughout this process, MLS will continue to prioritize the safety of our fans, players, employees and partners and to coordinate with federal and local public health authorities as well as other sporting organizations.
MLS announced a week ago that it was suspending play for 30 days in order to assess the impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus) with its medical task force and public health officials.
There have been more than 7,000 confirmed cases across all 50 U.S. states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico and 97 deaths, according to the CDC’s latest reporting from noon Wednesday. In Canada, there have been 690 confirmed cases of the virus, according to Public Health Canada.
Missing soccer on TV? FC Dallas To the Rescue
FC Dallas Rewind: FC Dallas announced yesterday that it will rebroadcast key matches in club history. The series, FCD Rewind, will air exclusively on TXA21 in Dallas/Fort Worth and is scheduled to run while MLS match play is suspended.
“During this difficult time, we want to bring our fans, Supporters and all soccer enthusiasts together through the love of FC Dallas,” said FC Dallas President Dan Hunt. “TXA21 is a phenomenal partner and we’re thrilled to work with them to serve our wonderful soccer community in north Texas.”
Matches will air 7-9PM CT, starting Sunday, March 22, 2020 with FCD Rewind: FC Dallas vs Seattle Sounders | March 18, 2018. Following the conclusion of each broadcast, the games will be available to watch on-demand on FCDallas.com/OnDemand at 8AM the following morning in the Dallas/Fort Worth market as well as all FCDTV affiliate markets: Amarillo, Lubbock and Amarillo.
