MLS teams arrive in Orlando for MLS is Back Tournament

July 6, 20208:18PM EDT
MLSsoccer staff

The participating MLS clubs have arrived in Orlando ahead of the MLS is Back Tournament, which will get underway on July 8.

The San Jose Earthquakes were the first team to touch down in Florida and the final five teams joined them on July 6. A total of 25 of MLS's 26 clubs – FC Dallas were withdrawn from the tournament – are now situated at the MLS delegation hotel in compliance with health and safety protocols:

July 6: LAFC, LA Galaxy, Toronto FC, Colorado & Vancouver

Rivals LAFC and the LA Galaxy both embarked on cross-country flights to Orlando on Monday:

The Vancouver Whitecaps also departed for the tournament site on Monday:

Toronto FC postponed their trip on July 4 and the Colorado Rapids did the same on July 5. But both teams made their way to Orlando on Monday:

July 5: Sporting KC & Houston Dynamo

Sporting Kansas City arrived in Orlando on Sunday evening after a socially-distanced sendoff the night before:

The Houston Dynamo also touched down in Central Florida on Sunday evening:

July 4: Atlanta United, NY Red Bulls, Real Salt Lake

Atlanta United made the short trek to Orlando ahead of their first match on July 11 against the NY Red Bulls:

The Red Bulls join Atlanta in Group E and also arrived later the same day:

Real Salt Lake, who play in Group D and open against the Colorado Rapids on July 12, also traveled to Orlando on Independence Day in the USA:

July 3: D.C. United, Nashville SC, Portland Timbers, Seattle Sounders

Four more teams made the journey to Orlando ahead of their opening games in the MLS is Back Tournament. MLS newcomers Nashville SC were the first team to touch down, marking their arrival with a suitably themed video.

D.C. United, who kick off their tournament against Toronto FC in a week's time, also touched down in Florida.

Two Cascadia Cup rivals – the Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders – arrived in the evening, gearing up for the matches ahead. The Sounders, as shown by Nicolas Lodeiro's tweet, traveled in Black Lives Matter shirts.

July 2: New England Revolution, Philadelphia Union, Montreal Impact, NYCFC

A foursome of Eastern Conference clubs, all of which play their group openers on July 9, made their way down the East coast to Orlando. The Revs were the first to arrive:

The Union received a spirited send-off from fans as they left Subaru Park in Chester before touching down in Orlando on Thursday evening.

The Montreal Impact, who face New England in Group C on July 9, traveled after full team training in Montreal.

Impact star Bojan Krkic gives the cameras a thumbs-up upon arrival in Orlando.

New York City FC trained in market Thursday before leaving for the MLS is Back Tournament. 

 

July 1: Chicago Fire FC, Inter Miami CF

Both Inter Miami and Chicago FC departed for Central Florida on Wednesday, with Miami even holding a send-off with their fans before boarding the bus.

Chicago also shared footage of their departure:

June 29: FC Cincinnati

FC Cincinnati arrived in Orlando on Monday, June 29, a day after in-state rivals Columbus, whom they will face in the tournament opener on July 11 (10:30ET on FS1, TUDN, TSN).

June 28: Columbus Crew SC & Minnesota United

It was the turn of Columbus and Minnesota to land in Orlando on Sunday, June 28.

While Crew SC open on July 11 with a "Hell is Real" rivalry match against FC Cincinnati, MNUFC begin group play a day later against Sporting Kansas City — aka the "Nicest Rivalry" (8ET on ESPN, TSN).

June 27: FC Dallas

The FC Dallas delegation arrived on Saturday, June 27, wearing black-and-white t-shirts with the words "History must not repeat itself" and the Black Lives Matter hashtag #BLM.

The first group match for FC Dallas falls on Thursday, July 9 against Vancouver (10:30 pm ET on TUDN & Twitter in USA; TSN in Canada).

June 25: Orlando City SC

After one last morning training session at their own facility, Orlando made the short journey to Walt Disney World on Thursday, June 25:

June 24: San Jose Earthquakes

The Earthquakes were the first MLS team to arrive in Orlando on Wednesday, June 24:

Before embarking on the trip to Florida, San Jose coach Matias Almeyda made it clear that the club prioritized getting in early since they weren't able to conduct full-team training in their home market:

Health & Safety Protocol

Before, during and after each team's arrival, health and safety is at the forefront of considerations.

Prior to traveling to Orlando, all essential members of a club delegation are required to undergo two Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests 24 hours apart. Upon arrival in Florida, all individuals will immediately receive an additional PCR test and players may only begin training and staff may begin working upon receipt of a negative result from the first PCR test in Orlando.

The testing doesn't end there. During an individual’s first two weeks in Orlando, that person will be tested every other day. After those first 14 days, players, coaches and PRO staff will be tested regularly, including the day before each matchday. 

Series: 
MLS is Back Tournament