D.C. United player tests positive for COVID-19

D.C. United announced that one of the club's players has tested positive for COVID-19, following a round of mandatory testing administered to players earlier this week as part of the protocol in advance of a return to full team training.


The player, who is currently unidentified, experienced mild symptoms and was not hospitalized, according to the Washington Post.


"In response to the positive test, D.C. United medical staff have been working directly with local infectious disease specialists to treat the player, who is observing appropriate isolation protocols," read a club statement. "Throughout individual player workouts and small group training sessions, D.C. United adhered to proper physical distancing and sanitization protocols, and no other players or staff have tested positive or presented symptoms."


The player was not among the group of players who participated in an event hosted by the club at Audi Field last Sunday in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. 


D.C. United have been conducting small-group training sessions at Audi Field for the past week, with players maintaining physical distancing during the practices and refraining from using the indoor training facilities. 


The club is still awaiting clearance from MLS and local officials to resume full team training.


The other MLS clubs recently announcing positive tests include FC Dallas (June 3) and the Philadelphia Union (April 1), with Kacper Przybylko revealing he was the Union player to contract COVID-19. NYCFC announced on March 19 that a member of the club's sporting department tested positive.