It’s been well over a month since Major League Soccer announced on March 12 that it was suspending the season for 30 days because of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
The spread of the coronavirus has caused a sudden halt in the world of sports and whether we’ll see a complete season play out remains unclear.
The league has been, for the most part, transparent and communicative with the latest happenings.
The purpose of this timeline is to detail the latest updates from Major League Soccer with the most current date at the very top.
Key Dates
- Training Moratorium through May 15
- League postponement until June 8
Bookmark this article to your browser. The point of this article is to serve as a piece of resourceful information for all the happenings across MLS due to COVID-19.
April 23
MLS extends training moratorium through May 15
Report: MLSsoccer.com
April 17
MLS Postponement extended until June 8
League statement:
MLS remains focused on exploring a wide variety of formats for playing the entire 2020 season including pushing back MLS Cup into December or later.
Based on the most recent government guidance, we have extended the moratorium on matches until at least June 8.
Like all Leagues, we are in discussion with our players about changes to player compensation due to the financial impact on the league and our clubs from the COVID-19 Crisis. We are seeking to work collaboratively with the MLSPA to find a solution that provides a safety net for all players, opportunity to earn full salary in the scenario where all matches are played with fans, and in particular provides protection for the players at the lower end of the salary scale.
Report: MLSsoccer.com
April 14
MLS releases statement on return to play:
Major League Soccer continues to regularly evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including how it will affect our plans for the 2020 season.
Although we hoped to return to play in mid-May, that is extremely unlikely based on the guidance of federal and local public health authorities. Our goal remains to play as many games as possible, and while we currently have enough dates to play the entire season, we recognize at this time that it may become difficult to do so. We continue to learn more every day from the medical experts, and we expect to have additional details in the coming weeks regarding when we can return to play. As we have throughout this process, we will update our fans with every decision, and we thank them for their support and understanding during this extremely challenging time.
Report: Pro Soccer USA
April 13
Garber talks league-play and proposals
In an interview with ESPN’s Taylor Twellman, MLS commissioner Don Garber said league-play will not resume in mid-May.
Among the other things highlighted in that interview was if the league were to restart, it would happen without fans.
Here’s the full report from ESPN.
April 2
MLS extends training moratorium through April 24
Report: Pro Soccer USA
March 25
MLS extends training moratorium through April 3
Report: Goal.com
March 20
MLS extends training moratorium through March 27
Report: MLSsoccer.com
March 19
MLS extends season suspension with a target return date of May 10.
The extension was in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to cancel all mass gatherings of 50 or more people for the next eight weeks.
Here’s the league’s statement on the CDC Recommendation
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.
Report: MLSsoccer.com
March 15
MLS extends training moratorium through March 20
Report: Pro Soccer USA
March 12
MLS suspends season for 30 days
Report: Pro Soccer USA
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And please stay safe!
Orlando Soccer Journal 