League to permit small-group drills

Major League Soccer cleared the way Thursday for teams to expand voluntary training sessions, provided that they are limited to small groups in outdoor settings and that teams comply with local government guidelines.

Dynamo general manager Matt Jordan said he hopes to have league-approved plans in place that will allow small group workouts to begin next week. He said all 27 players on the Dynamo’s roster have participated in individual voluntary drills this month.

“This is an important next step for us and our players, not only physically to be able to do things to prepare to get back to playing games, but mentally to know that we’re moving in the right direction,” Jordan said. “This is the next step.”

The MLS announcement came one day after the National Women’s Soccer League announced plans for a one-month tournament that will begin June 27 in suburban Salt Lake City.

MLS has not announced return to play plans, but Thursday’s guidelines for outdoor practices will allow the Dynamo and other teams to expand activity in areas where it is allowed under guidelines designed to limit the spread of COVID-19.

“The small-group training sessions will provide an opportunity for players to perform fitness and technical workouts in small groups while maintaining physical distancing protocols, even within individual groups,” MLS said in its announcement.

MLS provided three schematics showing how up to 12 players can share a regulation playing field, with six on either side of the midfield line and each player limited to his own zone.

Players will be instructed to remain at least 10 feet apart during training sessions but will be allowed to pass the ball between group members and take shots on goal.

MLS has allowed individual training since May 6. Under the Dynamo’s practice plan, four players are allowed to share a field but are prohibited from passing the ball to each other.

The team was working Thursday on its small group practice plan and had no immediate comment on the MLS directives.

The league will require each team to submit individual group practice plans for review by medical staff and a local infectious disease expert. Indoor training area remain closed to players with the exception of those requiring medical treatment or rehabilitation.

Also, in similar fashion to the no-spitting rule being proposed by Major League Baseball, goalkeepers will not be allowed to spit on their gloves and must clean and disinfect their gloves after each training session.

Players also will be required to wear masks en route to and from the parking lot and practice field.