MLS hopeful of April 3 start

SOCCER

MLS announced that training camps and the regular season will open a month later than usual because of the coronavirus pandemic, though ongoing labor negotiations continue to stand in the way of any official activities.

Teams will be allowed to start camps Feb. 22, a six-week buildup to the April 3-4 openers.

Health and safety concerns, coupled with the league and MLS Players Association engaged in collective bargaining agreement talks, prompted the later dates. Nothing will go forward without the sides striking a deal. In other news:

• Expansion franchise Austin FC has reached a naming rights deal for its new $260 million stadium with Q2 Holdings, Inc., a developer of online banking software.

The stadium is still under construction and isn’t expected to host a MLS match until June.