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FC Dallas withdraws from MLS tournament

We will have one fewer team at the MLS is Back tournament set to open tomorrow at Disney World’s Wide World of Sports complex, as an abundance of positive COVID-19 tests forced FC Dallas to withdraw from the tourney.

The decision to withdraw came after 10 FC Dallas players and one coach tested positive for COVID-19 while in Orlando.

“As we continue to focus on the well-being of our players, coaches and staff who are in isolation in Orlando, we understand it is not in their best interests to compete at this time,” said FC Dallas Head Coach Luchi Gonzalez. “While we’re disappointed, the health and safety of our traveling delegation as well as our league partners is our highest priority.”

The next challenge: bringing the team back safely from Orlando.

“We absolutely agree with the league’s decision to withdraw FC Dallas from the MLS is Back Tournament out of safety concerns for our players and staff,” said FC Dallas President Dan Hunt. “We’re looking forward to resuming the 2020 season once the entire club is healthy and in position to play competitive matches at the highest level.”

As of now, the remaining 25 teams are in Orlando and prepping for the launch of play tomorrow.

What should be a little troubling to league officials: the team had undergone three previous tests with nary a positive result. When the team arrived in Orlando, another round of tests was administered and processed by the preferred MLS testing lab, leading to all the new positives.

This article originally appeared in the free weekly Soccer Stadium Digest newsletter. Are you a subscriber? Sign up here!

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