There were no fans at the stadium during the MLS is Back Tournament. But they were still very much part of the action.
For every match of the tournament, including the final set for August 11, fans of both clubs were joined in virtual meeting rooms by celebrities and special guests to experience the matches together.
Those fans who didn't make it into the meeting rooms were able to follow along with live feeds of the digital fan experiences. The last one of those will take place for the final on August 11. In the meantime, you can check out some memorable moments from recent weeks, featuring MLS legends, jubilant fans and ... pets:
Whether you're in those virtual rooms or not, there are other ways to interact. Fans who incorporate the hashtags #MLSisBack, #MLS or a match or club hashtag on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram could see those posts appear on the broadcasts, on MLS shows, at the player hotel and on the video board at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando.
It continues with the final on Tuesday night as Orlando City SC take on Portland Timbers for the title (8:30 pm ET on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, TSN, TVAS2). The match hashtags will be #PORvORL, #OrlandoCity, #RCTID.
Fans have also been getting together for watch parties, leading to some memorable photos and videos that have become highlights of the MLS is Back Tournament. Check out some of the examples below:
- New England Revolution open up Gillette Stadium to fans for drive-in viewing party
- Chicago Fire FC fans return to Soldier Field for drive-In watch party
- Celebrations in Orlando City locker and supporter parking lot after QF win on PKs
By using the hashtag #MLSisBack, #MLS, #PORvORL, #OrlandoCity, #RCTID (the "Hashtag”) in any post (a "Post”) on the Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook social media platforms (the "Platforms”), you grant to Major League Soccer, LLC and Soccer United Marketing, LLC, and each of their respective clubs, broadcast partners, agents and its licensees ("MLS” and, collectively, the "MLS Parties”) the right but not the obligation to display your Post, either on its own or with imagery showing your Platform account name, user name, and/or profile picture, in any or all of the following: 1) the large in-stadium video display during the live broadcast of one or more soccer games during the "MLS Is Back Tournament” (the "Broadcasts”), 2) in any future public performances of the taped Broadcasts and licensed video clips thereof, 3) in any distribution of video or audiovisual content featuring such Broadcasts or clips thereof, 4) in live or taped video content displayed, published, reproduced or otherwise transmitted on MLS websites and Platform pages, and 5) in any medium now known or hereafter created throughout the world in perpetuity. By using the Hashtag and granting such rights you agree not to interfere with the MLS Parties’ use of the Posts and waive and agree to not assert against the MLS Parties the right to compensation and any claims of any nature, including without limitation claims under copyright, trademark, right of privacy, or right of publicity laws.
