Five days before MLS kicks off a league-wide tournament in Orlando, one of its 26 teams, FC Dallas, is on lockdown in hotel rooms. Around half of the other 25 haven’t yet arrived. Some have sat on buses awaiting COVID-19 test results. Others have been hesitant to travel.
The virus, meanwhile, is inside MLS’ bubble. It’s inducing anxiety. It’s already upending carefully-crafted plans. And it’s hinting at just how messy U.S. team sports in 2020 will be.
That is, if they happen at all.
At the heart of MLS’ pre-tournament troubles are COVID characteristics that every sport, and every American institution, must confront.