MLS teams arriving in Florida, tournament schedule set

Major League Soccer will open its World Cup-style return tournament in Florida on July 8 with a double header.

Orlando City will play expansion Inter Miami in first match, followed by a game between Chicago Fire and Nashville SC. games will be first time league has been in action since play was shut down on March 12 because of coronavirus.

all-Florida opener is a d to tournament’s host state. All games will be played without fans in attendance at sports complex at Walt Disney World.

league released schedule Wednesday, first day teams could arrive at complex near Orlando for tournament. San Jose Earthquakes, who were limited in practice by local restrictions, were first team to travel to Florida.

Earthquakes players will be tested upon arrival and n quarantined for 24 hours while awaiting results.

MLS will be second pro team league in United States to return to field. National Women’s Soccer League will play a tournament in Utah starting Saturday.

26 MLS teams will be divided into six groups for opening round of tournament, which will be played over 16 consecutive days. Group matches will count toward regular-season standings.

Among highlights of group st is a match between LA Galaxy and LAFC on July 18, and a Canadian rivalry match between Montreal Impact and Toronto FC on July 15. defending champion Seattle Sounders open play against Earthquakes on July 10.

Sixteen teams will advance to kckout round, with winner of title game on Aug. 11 earning a spot in 2021 CONCACAF Champions League.

teams and select staff members will be sequestered during tournament at two Disney resorts for duration of tournament.

Im credits: AP