MLS chief Garber confirms CONCACAF Champ Lge spot for new comp winners

Major League Soccer is restarting despite the coronavirus pandemic on 8th July with a World Cup-style tournament in Florida that will take place without fans present. The league's 26 teams will be divided into six groups for the opening round of the 'MLS Is Back Tournament' at ESPN's Wide World of Sports complex at Walt Disney World. Sixteen teams will advance to the knockout round, with the winners earning a spot in the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League. The group matches will count toward the regular season, the league confirmed.

Teams had played just two games to start the season when the league was suspended on 12th March because of the COVID-19 crisis.

While in Florida, players will be sequestered in a resort and be subject to a rigorous testing protocol. Each team will have three group matches, played over 16 consecutive days with several games a day. Games will be played in the morning and the evening to avoid the heat.

Players will be tested for COVID-19 before they leave for Orlando and when they arrive, as well as during the competition. Staff will also be tested.

The prize pool for the MLS Is Back Tournament is US$ 1.1 million, the league said, and will conclude on 11th August.