Major League Soccer (MLS) to return in July

WASHINGTON: Major League Soccer (MLS) teams will take to the field in official competition beginning on July 8, the league has said.

After play was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic on March 12, the MLS will return in a unique tournament format at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

The tournament, which is billed as the "MLS is Back" and will be played without fans, is scheduled to start on July 8 with a group stage involving all 26 clubs in six groups. One group will include six teams, and the remaining five will include four teams apiece.

"The opportunity to have all 26 clubs in a controlled environment enables us to help protect the health of our players, coaches and staff as we return to play," said MLS commissioner Don Garber.

The six No. 1 seeds include Orlando City SC, the host team that will be placed in the six-team group, the four semifinalists from the 2019 playoffs, Atlanta United, Los Angeles FC, Seattle Sounders FC, Toronto FC, along with Real Salt Lake which had the next-highest points total in the Western Conference from the 2019 season. IANS 

Also watch: Evening Bulletin | 8th June, 2020