MLS players await word on restart

Major League Soccer players have spoken: Bring it on.

The players want to play and now the ball is in the league’s court.

On Sunday, the MLS Players Association approved a package of economic concessions for the 2020 season, modifications to the recently agreed-upon collective bargaining agreement, including its extension by a year, and its agreement to participate in a summer tournament in Orlando, Fla.

Included were player salary reductions, reduced team and individual bonuses and additional concessions to existing and future terms of the CBA. The package has been formally submitted to the league for a decision by the owners.

It has been widely reported that MLS is considering a plan to bring all players to Walt Disney World near Orlando this month to begin training for a tournament-style format that would start in July and involve all 26 teams. Each club would play at least five games.

According to reports, under the plan all members of each team, from players to support staff, would live under quarantine at one of the resorts near Walt Disney World, while both practices and games would primarily take place at ESPN’S Wide World of Sports.

Disney-owned ESPN is one of MLS’S broadcast partners.

The matches would resume on July 1 with no spectators.

MLS teams played two regular season games before the league suspended play on March 12 because of the COVID-19 outbreak.

MLS gave the green light last week for teams to start using outdoor fields for voluntary small group training sessions.

The sessions must not conflict with local public health official or government policies and provide the ability for players to step up their training while maintaining physical-distancing protocols.

The league-wide moratorium on full team training remains in place through, and including, June 1.