TFC cleared to open camp Wednesday

Toronto FC has permission to open training camp on Wednesday, allowing time to prepare for the Canadian Championship final against Hamilton’s Forge FC.

Players on most other MLS teams will report March 1 for a seven-day quarantine period, medical exams and COVID-19 testing prior to the start of team training on March 8. That will allow for six weeks of training before the league’s 26th season kicks off April 17.

The league said players can start their seven-day quarantine period prior to March 1 on a voluntary basis. These players can train, individually or together, once they have completed the quarantine and testing. Technical staff and coaches may not take part in group training sessions prior to March 1.

Major League Soccer said Saturday, however, that TFC can open camp Wednesday as long as players have gone through the seven-day quarantine, medical exams and COVID-19 testing before team training.

Players and staff returning to Canada will also have to quarantine for 14 days, in compliance with Health Canada guidelines.

The Canadian Championship winner earns a berth in the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League, scheduled to kick off April 6 and 7 with roundof-16 matches. No date has been set yet for the Canadian qualifier.

The other four MLS teams preparing for Champions League play have also been granted permission to start early. Their players can report Feb. 24 to begin the required quarantine, with team training start date of March 3. Those players may voluntarily begin quarantine prior to Feb. 24.

The league has not announced where Canadian MLS teams will play their home matches. But it is increasingly looking like they will have to go south of the border, like last season, because of travel restrictions.