Inter Miami, Orlando City continue individual workouts amid COVID-19
By Official Florida FC
Major League Soccer will, at some point, return from the pandemic pause that has been wrought by COVID-19.
In an interview with Nashville SC host Jamie Watson, MLS Commissioner Don Garber provided additional context about the league’s timetable.
“We’re more optimistic about what a return to play plan could look like,” Garber said. “I think a month ago we were very pessimistic. I think our country has done a pretty good job of flattening the curve, which is what the objective was. We need to be mindful of and focused on continuing to follow local guidelines because flattening the curve requires us all to be very focused and committed to all the guidelines local health authorities set out. So I would say we’re cautiously optimistic.”
Players returned to training this week. However, that was on a voluntary basis and only individual workouts. MLS has prohibited full-squad training sessions since mid-March, a moratorium that will be in place, at least, until May 15.
We may be weeks, perhaps, multiple months from Orlando City, Inter Miami and the rest of MLS returning to the pitch.
Steven Goff, one of the deans of American soccer journalism, reported that Major League Soccer has considered multiple scenarios where the league could return to play at some point in June or July.
One of those scenarios, according to Goff, is to have all teams play in a central location. One of those considered is Orlando.
Major League Soccer suspended matches on March 12. The league has extended the moratorium multiple times with matches now off until at least June 8.
