MLS players set to return to team facilities for workouts

Major League Soccer players will return to team training facilities for individual outdoor workouts starting Wednesday in areas where governments have eased coronavirus pandemic precautions to allow such practices. voluntary sessions are a small first step toward a resumption of play for 26-team rth American league, which shut down March 12 after two weeks of regular-season matches. MLS has banned full team training through May 15, with more than four players at a time on a field during solo workouts and passing between players allowed.

MLS players set to return to team facilities 

"Even if it's individual and we're t training with each or, I think we're all itching just to get back on field and be training in some capacity with ball," Houston Dynamo goalkeeper Michael Nelson said in a posting on team website.

"I think everyone is really excited about that. Hopefully it's first step to a bigger opening as well." Seattle Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan said he looks forward to returning to complex for training, ting players will need time to restore match fitness before MLS games can resume.

"I'm hearing that we'll probably have about three weeks to a month to prepare for season," Roldan said in an MLS website post. "I think that's fair. We understand it takes a lot to get your body back into a 90-minute rhythm." 

MLS guidelines for workouts include temperature checks for players on arrival, hand washing and disinfectant stations and designated parking spots to maximize distancing. "I do think it'll be some on--ball stuff, allowing players to get some touches in," Real Salt Lake general manr Elliot Fall said. "But at end of day, players, y can't be playing balls to each or, so it's going to have to be stuff y can do on ir own." Even solo practice sessions will help players by returning to familiar settings. "I think re's a real benefit to getting players back to facility in any capacity, because I think, like all of us, we're all looking for some level of rmalcy and life to get back to some semblance of what our reality used to be," Fall said.

Nelson said his quarantine workout plans were sorted by Dynamo coaches and staff.

"ir main concern is staying fit and staying on top of injury prevention things so that when we get back we can hit ground running," Nelson said. 

Im credits: AFP