Nashville SC Withdrawn From MLS is Back Tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Following Nine Positive COVID-19 Tests

Matthew Soberman

Nashville SC Withdrawn From MLS is Back Tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Following Nine Positive COVID-19 Tests

Matthew Soberman

Nashville SC Withdrawn From MLS is Back Tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Following Nine Positive COVID-19 Tests

Just days after the MLS is Back Tournament began at Walt Disney World’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, a second team has left the competition.

ESPN Wide World of Sports

Nashville SC has withdrawn from the tournament following nine players testing positive for COVID-19 tests. Previously, FC Dallas also withdrew from the tournament for similar reasons.

According to the soccer club’s statement, one player tested positive upon the team’s arrival at Walt Disney World, with eight more following in subsequent days. Players and staff have been tested daily over the last nine days, but the club and Major League Soccer agreed that the club would not be medically cleared to train sufficiently before their next match.

Nashville SC CEO Ian Ayre added, “In what has been a challenging year, and in an uncharted environment created by the Tornado that devastated our city and COVID-19, this is another big disappointing outcome for Nashville SC and its supporters. Our focus now lays on the recovery of our players who have been infected with COVID-19 and on getting our complete traveling party back home safely. Once everyone is safe and healthy in Nashville, we can then turn the page and focus on our preparation and participation in the return to play for the latter half of the season post Orlando.”

The club, MLS, and local health officials are developing a plan to safely allow players and staff that have consistently tested negative to return home, while the return of players who have tested positive will be determined by the league’s health, safety and medical protocols.