MLS WILL RETURN
Phase 1 of new MLS schedule to feature six matches against conference teams
Team to host FC Dallas Aug. 21 to commence 18-match season reboot
The Houston Dynamo’s immediate future became clearer after Major League Soccer announced plans for its return Saturday.
The first phase includes six Dynamo games, starting with rival FC Dallas on Aug. 21 at BBVA Stadium.
“It means everything,” defender Adam Lundkvist said. “Just to get back to playing games, that is what everyone wants … For us, to start against a rival (will) be really exciting.”
The league’s plans include 18 matches to be played from late August through Nov. 8. Between its first two games before the season’s suspension, three MLS is Back Tournament group stage games and the newly planned matches, Houston (0-2-3, 3 points) will play 23 regularseason games this season.
The first phase of continuation features three home and three away games for the Dynamo.
Return to play in home markets will include regular COVID-19 testing of players and coaches. Teams will take chartered flights, and most road trips will be limited to same-day travel.
“I think the bubble was a good standard for everyone,” Dynamo coach Tab Ramos said. “Obviously difficult to maintain in your own market, but I think it gave players an opportunity to see some of the difficulties and some of the challenges they have to think about.
“Now they are used to testing, to knowing what they can touch, the things they have to be careful with. I think the players did a great job and are now prepared to compete in their home markets.”
Houston’s Phase 1 schedule is exclusively Midwestlocated Western Conference foes. After Dallas, the Dynamo can avenge a 4-0 March loss to Sporting Kansas City on Aug. 25. They host Minnesota United FC (Sept. 2) and Sporting Kansas City (Sept. 5), then play Colorado Rapids (Sept. 9) and Dallas (Sept. 14) on the road.
Houston’s opener will be closed to fans. The Dynamo will not allow fans during the first phase of their schedule, although that may change based on feedback from local health officials, according to a source with knowledge of team plans.
The Astros, for example, are playing without fans, but the University of Houston plans to play football at 25 percent capacity.
“It has been nice to just come home and be in the environment at Houston Sports Park,” Lundkvist said of Houston’s return, following a group stage exit from the MLS is Back Tournament. “It is something familiar that we are used to, so it feels good.”
Through its tournament, which concludes Tuesday with the title match, MLS followed the National Women’s Soccer League in its early July return. It relaunched in a bubble format before the NBA or MLB, which also resumed last month. In Saturday’s announcement, the league is following through on its commitment to conclude a season that was suspended in response to the coronavirus pandemic in March.
The 2020 postseason begins Nov. 20. MLS expanded the playoff field from 14 to 18 clubs for this year. The league said it plans to announce the remaining regular-season schedule by early September.
“I think what’s important to recognize is that these athletes are very competitive,” Ramos said. “Them having spent three to four months without competitive games is really difficult. We had that opportunity in Orlando, and it got them prepared. Now I know that all the players are prepared for the next phase so they can start competing again knowing that there is something now at the end of the tunnel.”