While most major sports are having a tough time figuring out how to get it done, Major League Soccer is like "screw your families, we're playing sports!" That's not an actual quote, but what it feels like to hear that teams will disembark for up to 6 weeks to play sports in a coronavirus crazy world. We heard rumors (and repeted them) that there could be a big summer tournament to help get things moving.
Then, I got to thinking, if they do it right, we could have a FIFA World Cup style tournament (sadly with way less coruption) in a non-World Cup year. Holy crap!!
Introducing the MLS is Back Tournament.
On July 8, teams will begin group stage play with matches counting towards your regular season record (whatever that means). After 16 days of tournament play with 3-ish MLS matches per day, the top two teams from each group will advance to a knock-out Round-of-16 and then whittle away until there are only two teams remaining. 23 person squads with 5 subs per match. Oh, and over a million dollars in prize money.
Also, no fans.
Go here for the full "I'm a professional and take the details seriously" post about the tournament from my beloved Seattle Sounders FC.
I can't wait to podcast about this!
Important stuff per Sounders FC:
KEY DATES
June 24: Teams begin arriving in Florida July 8: MLS is Back Tournament group stage beginsJuly 25-28: Round-of-16July 30- Aug. 1: QuarterfinalsAugust 5-6: SemifinalsAugust 11: MLS is Back Tournament Final
MLS IS BACK TOURNAMENT – July 8 – August 11
Number of Matches: 54 (39 group; 15 knockout)No. of matchdays: 26Format: Group Stage, followed by Round-of-16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals & Championship matchMinimum Matches: 3 (per club)Maximum Matches: 7 (per club)