Major League Soccer announces COVID-19 testing update

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Beginning June 30, MLS is providing regular testing updates with aggregated COVID-19 testing results for all members of the MLS is Back Tournament delegation staying at the host hotel in Florida.


August 11


A total of 102 individuals — players, coaches and staff from the participating clubs, along with referees, league staff and other members of the MLS delegation staying at the host hotel in Florida — were tested for COVID-19 between Aug. 9-10. Zero individuals from this group were newly confirmed positive for COVID-19 during this period.


  • Tests: 153 tests administered to 102 individuals (Aug. 9-10)
  • Participating clubs: 0 newly confirmed positive individuals from clubs/staff (Aug. 9-10)


August 9


A total of 147 individuals — players, coaches and staff from the participating clubs, along with referees, league staff and other members of the MLS delegation staying at the host hotel in Florida — were tested for COVID-19 between Aug. 7-8. Zero individuals from this group were newly confirmed positive for COVID-19 during this period.


  • Tests: 148 tests administered to 147 individuals (Aug. 7-8)
  • Participating clubs: 0 newly confirmed positive individuals from clubs/staff (Aug. 7-8)


August 7


A total of 148 individuals — players, coaches and staff from the participating clubs, along with referees, league staff and other members of the MLS delegation staying at the host hotel in Florida — were tested for COVID-19 between Aug. 5-6. Zero individuals from this group were newly confirmed positive for COVID-19 during this period.


  • Tests: 155 tests administered to 148 individuals (Aug. 5-6)
  • Participating clubs: 0 newly confirmed positive individuals from clubs/staff (Aug. 5-6)


August 5


A total of 190 individuals — players, coaches and staff from the participating clubs, along with referees, league staff and other members of the MLS delegation staying at the host hotel in Florida — were tested for COVID-19 between Aug. 3-4. Zero individuals from this group were newly confirmed positive for COVID-19 during this period.


  • Tests: 191 tests administered to 190 individuals (Aug. 3-4)
  • Participating clubs: 0 newly confirmed positive individuals from clubs/staff (Aug. 3-4)


August 3


A total of 241 individuals — players, coaches and staff from the participating clubs, along with referees, league staff and other members of the MLS delegation staying at the host hotel in Florida — were tested for COVID-19 between Aug. 1-2. Zero individuals from this group were newly confirmed positive for COVID-19 during this period.


  • Tests: 246 tests administered to 241 individuals (Aug. 1-2)
  • Participating clubs: 0 newly confirmed positive individuals from clubs/staff (Aug. 1-2)


August 1


A total of 331 individuals — players, coaches and staff from the participating clubs, along with referees, league staff and other members of the MLS delegation staying at the host hotel in Florida — were tested for COVID-19 between July 30-31. Zero individuals from this group were newly confirmed positive for COVID-19 during this period.


  • Tests: 341 tests administered to 331 individuals (July 30-31)
  • Participating clubs: 0 newly confirmed positive individuals from clubs/staff (July 30-31)


July 30


A total of 394 individuals — players, coaches and staff from the participating clubs, along with referees, league staff and other members of the MLS delegation staying at the host hotel in Florida — were tested for COVID-19 between July 28-29. Zero individuals from this group were newly confirmed positive for COVID-19 during this period.


  • Tests: 441 tests administered to 394 individuals (July 28-29)
  • Participating clubs: 0 newly confirmed positive individuals from clubs/staff (July 28-29)


July 28


A total of 654 individuals — players, coaches and staff from the participating clubs, along with referees, league staff and other members of the MLS delegation staying at the host hotel in Florida — were tested for COVID-19 between July 26-27. Zero individuals from this group were newly confirmed positive for COVID-19 during this period.


  • Tests: 748 tests administered to 654 individuals (July 26-27)
  • Participating clubs: 0 newly confirmed positive individuals from clubs/staff (July 26-27)


July 26


A total of 884 individuals — players, coaches and staff from the participating clubs, along with referees, league staff and other members of the MLS delegation staying at the host hotel in Florida — were tested for COVID-19 between July 24-25. Zero individuals from this group were newly confirmed positive for COVID-19 during this period.


  • Tests: 978 tests administered to 884 individuals (July 24-25)
  • Participating clubs: 0 newly confirmed positive individuals from clubs/staff (July 24-25)


July 24


A total of 1,057 individuals — players, coaches and staff from the 24 participating clubs, along with referees, league staff and other members of the MLS delegation staying at the host hotel in Florida — were tested for COVID-19 between July 22-23. Zero individuals from this group were newly confirmed positive for COVID-19 during this period.


  • Tests: 1,114 tests administered to 1,057 individuals (July 22-23)
  • 24 participating clubs: 0 newly confirmed positive individuals from 24 clubs/staff (July 22-23)
  • 2 non-participating clubs: No individuals from non-participating clubs remaining at the host hotel


July 22


A total of 1,103 individuals — players, coaches and staff from the 24 participating clubs, along with referees, league staff and other members of the MLS delegation staying at the host hotel in Florida — were tested for COVID-19 between July 20-21. Zero individuals from this group were newly confirmed positive for COVID-19 during this period.


  • Tests: 1,254 tests administered to 1,103 individuals (July 20-21)
  • 24 participating clubs: 0 newly confirmed positive individuals from 24 clubs/staff (July 20-21)
  • 2 non-participating clubs: 0 newly confirmed positive individuals (July 20-21)


July 20


A total of 1,106 individuals — players, coaches and staff from the 24 participating clubs, along with referees, league staff and other members of the MLS delegation staying at the host hotel in Florida — were tested for COVID-19 between July 18-19. Zero individuals from this group were newly confirmed positive for COVID-19 during this period.


  • Tests: 1,168 tests administered to 1,106 individuals (July 18-19)
  • 24 participating clubs: 0 newly confirmed positive individuals from 24 clubs/staff (July 18-19)
  • 2 non-participating clubs: 0 newly confirmed positive individuals (July 18-19)


July 18


A total of 1,114 individuals – the 24 participating clubs, referees, league staff and other members of the MLS delegation at the host hotel – were tested for COVID-19 during the period from July 16-17. Zero individuals from this group were newly confirmed positive for COVID-19 during this period.


  • Tests: 1,354 tests administered to 1,114 individuals (July 16-17)
  • 24 participating clubs: 0 newly confirmed positive individuals from 24 clubs/staff (July 16-17)
  • 2 non-participating clubs: 0 newly confirmed positive individuals (July 16-17)


July 16


A total of 1,124 individuals – the 24 participating clubs, referees, league staff and other members of the MLS delegation at the host hotel – were tested for COVID-19 during the period from July 14-15. Zero individuals from this group were newly confirmed positive for COVID-19 during this period.


  • Tests: 1,406 tests administered to 1,124 individuals (July 14-15)
  • 24 participating clubs: 0 newly confirmed positive individuals from 24 clubs/staff (July 14-15)
  • 2 non-participating clubs: 0 newly confirmed positive individuals (July 14-15)


July 14


A total of 1,227 individuals – the 24 participating clubs, referees, league staff and other members of the MLS delegation at the host hotel – were tested for COVID-19 during the period from July 12-13. No individuals from this group were newly confirmed positive for COVID-19 during this period.


In addition, members of the delegations from the two clubs no longer competing in the MLS is Back Tournament were tested for COVID-19 during the same period. Of these, one individual, a player, was a newly confirmed positive case.


  • Tests: 1,519 tests administered to 1,227 individuals (July 12-13)
  • 24 participating clubs: 0 newly confirmed positive individuals from 24 clubs/staff (July 12-13)
  • 2 non-participating clubs: 1 newly confirmed positive individual, a player (July 12-13)


July 12


MLS announced that of 1,231 individuals who were tested for COVID-19 during the period from July 10-11, there were no newly confirmed positive cases. Among the delegations for the two clubs no longer competing in the MLS is Back Tournament — FC Dallas and Nashville SC — there were three individuals with newly confirmed positive cases, one of which was a player. 


July 10


MLS confirmed one additional positive case of COVID-19, which was for a player.


Sporting Kansas City later informed media that one of the club's players received a pair of consecutive positive test results for COVID-19. According to the club, all other members of the SKC delegation have returned negative test results and will now test daily for a 14-day period.


July 9


MLS confirmed that Nashville SC have been withdrawn from the competition. Since arriving in Orlando, nine players on the Nashville squad have had confirmed positive test results for COVID-19.


July 8


During the period from July 7-8, 1,888 players, coaches, referees, club staff, league staff and other individuals who are part of the MLS is Back Tournament delegation at the host hotel in Florida have been tested for COVID-19. Of that group, four individuals tested positive, all coming from two different clubs.


July 6


Of the 557 players in Orlando as of July 6, 13 total players were confirmed positive for COVID-19, 10 of those being FC Dallas players and the remaining three from two other clubs. FC Dallas have been withdrawn from the tournament.


July 4


During the period from July 3-4, 1191 players, coaches, referees, club staff, league staff and other individuals were tested for COVID-19. Of that group, two individuals tested positive, both players.


Since June 28 a total of 14 positive tests have been reported in the MLS tournament delegation, 12 of which were players.


July 2


During the period from July 1-2, 855 players, coaches, referees, club staff, league staff and other individuals were tested for COVID-19. Of that group, six individuals tested positive, four of whom were players.


  • 855 people tested at the host hotel in Florida
  • 6 new positives, 4 of which were players
  • 12 total positive tests, 10 of which are players


On the same day, Columbus Crew SC reported that a first-team player received a positive test result. All other individuals in the club's delegation returned negative test results.


July 1


Major League Soccer said in a statement that six FC Dallas players tested positive for COVID-19 since arriving at the host hotel for the MLS is Back Tournament in Florida on June 27. The players were immediately moved to an isolation area and the rest of the FC Dallas delegation quarantined in their hotel rooms pending the results of additional COVID-19 testing. No other members of the MLS delegation tested positive and no other clubs were in contact with the Dallas delegation. 


The full statements from MLS and FC Dallas follow below:


Major League Soccer today confirmed that six FC Dallas players have tested positive for COVID-19. Two of those six players tested positive immediately upon arrival at the host hotel in Florida for the MLS is Back Tournament on June 27, and the additional four players tested positive within the last two days. Upon receipt of the positive COVID-19 test, all six players immediately participated in a clinical assessment by a healthcare provider and were moved to the isolation area of the hotel. While in isolation, the individuals are in daily communication with and receive remote care from a healthcare provider, including monitoring of symptoms and regular follow-up testing. In addition, the rest of the FC Dallas delegation is following the MLS health and safety protocols and quarantining in their hotel rooms pending the results of additional COVID-19 testing.

No other members of the MLS delegation at the host hotel have tested positive, and no other club has been in contact with the FC Dallas delegation since they arrived in Florida. The League's protocols include regular screening, testing, social distancing, PPE and a mandatory quarantine for all individuals upon arrival at the hotel until they have a negative test. Thus far, 392 people have been tested with six positives. MLS will continue to report test numbers on a regular basis.


FC Dallas statement:


FC Dallas players, coaches and staff departed for the MLS is Back tournament in Orlando, FL on June 27. Every member of the FC Dallas traveling party had tested negative for COVID-19 through an MLS-mandated testing service prior to the club’s departure on Saturday morning.

Upon arriving in Orlando for the MLS is Back tournament, FC Dallas had two players test positive for COVID-19. The affected players were immediately isolated from their teammates, the entire FC Dallas delegation, other MLS clubs and staff.

As league testing continued, four more players tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of FC Dallas players who tested positive while in Orlando to six.

In consultation with MLS medical officials, FC Dallas took proactive steps to isolate the newly-affected players as well as all FC Dallas players and staff in Orlando out of an abundance of caution. All members of the club delegation are following MLS health and safety protocols and will remain quarantined in their hotel rooms pending the results of further COVID-19 testing.

We continue to learn more information daily from medical experts and are in constant communication with them.

We will provide relevant updates as they become available. FC Dallas will have no further comment at this time.


June 30


Between June 29-30, a total of 392 players, coaches, referees, club staff and league staff were tested for COVID-19. Of that group, four individuals tested positive, all of whom were players.


  • 392 people tested in host hotel in Florida
  • 4 new positives, all of which were players
  • 6 total positive tests, all of which are players


June 28


As of June 28, a total of 329 players, coaches, referees, club staff and league staff at the host hotel in Orlando were tested for COVID-19. Two tested positive, both of whom were players who had just arrived.


  • 329 people tested in host hotel in Florida
  • 2 were positive, both of which were players who had just arrived
  • 2 total positive tests, all of which are players


Testing in Team Markets


As of June 28, 18 MLS players and six club staff received positive Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests prior to travel to Orlando for the MLS is Back Tournament. A total of 668 players were tested since early June.  


In connection with the resumption of full team training on June 4, MLS clubs began comprehensive testing of MLS players and technical staff that consisted of:


  • Completion of two PCR tests 24 hours apart within approximately 72 hours prior to the start of training; and
  • Continued PCR testing every other day once training began.


Twenty-five of the 26 MLS clubs were able to commence full team training prior to traveling to Orlando for the MLS is Back Tournament, and all of the 25 clubs conducted testing pursuant to this protocol.


Prior to traveling to Orlando, all players, coaches, referees, club personnel and league staff are required to complete an additional two PCR tests 24 hours apart and within approximately 72 hours of travel. Upon arrival in Florida, all individuals are required to immediately take another PCR test and are quarantined until they receive the results of that test.


Positive Test Protocol


Any individual who tests positive for COVID-19 while in Orlando will participate in a clinical assessment by a healthcare provider and moved to the isolation area of the hotel until he or she receives medical clearance.


While in isolation, MLS players and other staff will be in daily communication with and receive remote care from a healthcare provider, including monitoring of symptoms, and regular follow-up testing.


MLS is working in conjunction with the Florida Department of Health in Orange County and Osceola County, to identify any close contacts. Close contacts will also receive follow-up PCR testing and may be restricted from participating in group meals and recreational activities until cleared.