After tourney, Lions will play 6 matches in 3 weeks
Orlando City will resume regular-season play with a series of six matches against regional opponents after the MLS is Back Tournament concludes.
The Lions will play home-andaway matches against Inter Miami, Nashville SC and Atlanta United. All six matches will take place during a three-week period. It is the first phase of the league’s plans to reintegrate teams into regular-season play at home stadiums following the season-wide suspension of operations due to the coronavirus pandemic and tournament play in a bubble at ESPN Wide World of Sports.
Supporters could be allowed into Exploria Stadium for these matches. A club source said the team plans to allow a limited number of fans with social-distancing guidelines and other safety protocol enforced. Attendance would be limited to around 30% capacity, which would allow 7,000 to 8,000 fans to watch matches in the stands. The Lions’ plan is still pending approval from the league.
The shift to staging matches in front fans triggered immediate questions about safety as COVID-19 cases rise nationwide.
“At the end of the day, our industry is one that has fans as a big part of what makes our sport work,” MLS commissioner Don Garber said. “We have to start. We have to give it a try. … We’re not saying that what we’re going to do is something that is not going to have issues. If we have issues, we’ll deal with them, but we believe it makes sense for us to try.”
Orlando City will have less than two weeks’ turnaround between the tournament final and its first match of the regular season.
The Lions will kick off action with a rematch against Inter Miami in Fort Lauderdale. The Lions previously beat Inter Miami in the first meeting of the two rivals, earning a 2-1 comeback victory during the opening match of the MLS tournament.
Orlando City will then return home to host Nashville SC, marking the first match at Exploria Stadium
since the season in March.
On Aug. 29, Orlando City will head north to play Atlanta United, the first match between the clubs since Oscar Pareja took over the Lions.
After traveling to Nashville for a road match on Sept. 2, the Lions will conclude with two home matches — against Atlanta United on Sept. 6 and Inter Miami on Sept. 12. The team will charter flights to all three of these games and will depart directly from the match back to the charter flight to avoid a hotel stay.
During travel, players will continue to receive testing every other day. This is the same testing protocol that was in place during the MLS is Back tournament.
Garber did not say whether there will be a maximum number of positive tests that would cause the regular season to come to a halt. However, he did state his confidence in the league’s ability to isolate individuals who test positive to prevent a potential breakout. was suspended
“I think right now we are confident in what protocols have been put in place,” Garber said. “I don’t think life can stop. … I’m confident that we have a good plan; I’m confident in our players adhering to that plan and if it doesn’t work then we’ll address it at that time.”
Five of the team’s matches will be broadcast live locally on WRBW-Channel 65, with Orlando Pride star Ali Krieger joining the team as a sideline reporter and analyst. The first meeting against Atlanta on Aug. 29 will be broadcast nationally on Univision.
After securing seven points in the group stage of the MLS is Back Tournament, Orlando City is wellpositioned in the Eastern Conference. The league expanded the postseason format this year, increasing the number of teams from 14 to 18, which increases the odds the Lions could make their first MLS playoff appearance.
This year’s Decision Day will occur on Nov. 8, with the MLS Cup slated for Dec. 12.
If the first phase of the regular season is not successful due to safety
Orlando City Phase One Schedule
Aug. 22: at Inter Miami CF, 8 p.m., WRBW-65
Aug. 26: Nashville SC, 7:30 p.m., WRBW-65
Aug. 29: at Atlanta United, 3:30 p.m., Univision
Sept. 2: at Nashville SC,
8:30 p.m., WRBW-65
Sept. 6: Atlanta United,
7:30 p.m., WRBW-65
Sept. 12: Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m., WRBW-65 issues, however, Garber said the league will not continue with the season.
“We believe our players and our staff are focused on adhering to our protocols, and if we’re able to do that, we ought to be able to get our games in,” Garber said. “If we can’t do that in a way that’s safe and one that’s ensuring the health of our players, then we’ll have to address it. If it doesn’t work, then we won’t move forward.”