MLS

The Orlando Pride will withdraw its participation in the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup due to positive COVID-19 tests among both players and staff, the Club announced on Monday.

The Club’s training plan was reviewed and approved by Orlando Health, local infectious disease experts and Major League Soccer.

The tournament, which will be played without fans in attendance, provides a compelling way for MLS to resume its 25th season.

The deal was announced by the Major League Soccer Players Association on Wednesday following tense talks that led to some players skipping voluntary workouts and the league threatening a lockout.

The small groups cannot exceed eight players during Phase 2 of the nine-team league’s return to play protocol.

Fourteen professional sports leagues on Monday announced “The Real Heroes Project,” a collaborative initiative to recognize and celebrate healthcare workers on the front-lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

MLS says beginning on Wednesday, May 6, clubs will be allowed to open their outdoor training facilities.

The MLS said that they still aim to play as many games as possible and that they currently have enough dates to play the entire season, but they acknowledged that this could be difficult to do.

Before the Coronavirus hiatus, the Orlando Pride would have been in the middle of their preseason training camp right now.

To bring that game day feeling back, the Club has announced a new initiative that takes the March to the Match online while giving back to the small, local businesses our community gets to enjoy every game day. 

“I think one of the biggest things for me is that this is a fresh challenge, a new league," the English midfielder said.

This decision comes after the NBA decided on Wednesday night to suspend its season. Two NBA players have now tested positive for coronavirus.