MLS is Back Tournament - 2020


They're quite literally making this up as they go along. Absolutely awful for Nashville, and a ridiculous situation for Chicago and the rest of Group B to deal with.

They don't really have a choice. And this is clearly the best way to keep the integrity of the tournament considering Chicago is the only Group A team yet to play. This doesn't really change much for Group B, either -- none of those teams have played yet, and this won't require large-scale schedule changes. We should still play Orlando on Tuesday. Philly will face Miami, then we face Miami in the third game. It's pretty simple to manage this, frankly.
 
Confirmed new schedule:


The revised Group A schedule has been created to replace those Group A matches which previously included Nashville SC and Chicago Fire FC:



July 14 Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami CF, 10:30 p.m. (TUDN/TSN)

July 14 New York City FC vs. Orlando City SC, 8:00 p.m. (TUDN/TSN)

July 20 Philadelphia Union vs. Orlando City SC, 8:00 p.m. (TUDN/TSN)

July 20 Inter Miami CF vs. New York City FC, 9:00 a.m. (ESPN/ESPN Deportes/TSN)

 
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What other choice do they have, now that they've committed to having the tournament?

Respect the integrity of the tournament that they've so carefully constructed? If a team is unable to fulfill its fixtures, then their games should be voided with an automatic win awarded to their opponents. Instead they're changing multiple teams' schedules on the fly for no reason other than it retroactively gives them a 'balanced' schedule (something which they've spent the past few weeks trying to tell us was irrelevant). Why should multiple teams (including NYCFC!) be suddenly told they're playing different opponents from the one they prepared for just because the other team couldn't show up?

Anyway, FWIW, Chicago has already been moved to Group B on the standings page of the MLS website: https://www.mlssoccer.com/mls-is-back-tournament/standings
 
Confirmed new schedule:


The revised Group A schedule has been created to replace those Group A matches which previously included Nashville SC and Chicago Fire FC:



July 14 Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami CF, 10:30 p.m. (TUDN/TSN)

July 14 New York City FC vs. Orlando City SC, 8:00 p.m. (TUDN/TSN)

July 20 Philadelphia Union vs. Orlando City SC, 8:00 p.m. (TUDN/TSN)

July 20 Inter Miami CF vs. New York City FC, 9:00 a.m. (ESPN/ESPN Deportes/TSN)


We had an 8 PM Sunday game replaced with an 9 AM Monday one, ugh...
 
Confirmed new schedule:


The revised Group A schedule has been created to replace those Group A matches which previously included Nashville SC and Chicago Fire FC:



July 14 Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami CF, 10:30 p.m. (TUDN/TSN)

July 14 New York City FC vs. Orlando City SC, 8:00 p.m. (TUDN/TSN)

July 20 Philadelphia Union vs. Orlando City SC, 8:00 p.m. (TUDN/TSN)

July 20 Inter Miami CF vs. New York City FC, 9:00 a.m. (ESPN/ESPN Deportes/TSN)


well ill be able to watch the orlando game now. i was not going to stay up for a 10:30 PM weeknight game
 
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I just checked, they haven't made any adjustments to the MLS is Back bracket challenge. And really, how can they now that games have started?
 
Given the circumstances, I think things like this had to be expected, and are more tolerable than in normal times.
 
Given the circumstances, I think things like this had to be expected, and are more tolerable than in normal times.

If we reach the knockout stages, and our opponents become riddled with COVID and have to drop out, what would be the fairest way to resolve the situation? Have us automatically advance to the next round? Or draft in the next available team to fill their place and balance the bracket?

Clearly we're dealing with Unprecedented Times™ , but the way MLS is handling it makes this seems closer to a pickup 5-a-side tourney than the World Cup.
 
If we reach the knockout stages, and our opponents become riddled with COVID and have to drop out, what would be the fairest way to resolve the situation? Have us automatically advance to the next round? Or draft in the next available team to fill their place and balance the bracket?

Clearly we're dealing with Unprecedented Times™ , but the way MLS is handling it makes this seems closer to a pickup 5-a-side tourney than the World Cup.
That's not the group stage.
 
Because a virus is going around that makes some things a bit more difficult than in normal times.

Exactly. We need to stop acting as if this is normal times. If teams are getting this thing in two weeks in Florida, then it's clear there is community transmission in the bubble and the entire tournament is getting shut down. The only reason they haven't already called the entire tournament off is that they believe all infections happened back in home cities, with the 5-7 day delay before an infection leads to a positive result meaning the infected player traveled to Florida after getting infected but before testing would realize it.
 
Anyone else irrationally angry at the sight of Gregg Berhalter at the SJ/SEA game?

Thank god Jon Champion relieves that pain by saying “his brother Jay was instrumental in getting this tournament done”

edit: Tyler Adams as striker, Pulisic as right back and Bradley the 48 year old captain. Can’t wait!
 
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Anyone else irrationally angry at the sight of Gregg Berhalter at the SJ/SEA game?

Thank god Jon Champion relieves that pain by saying “his brother Jay was instrumental in getting this tournament done”

edit: Tyler Adams as striker, Pulisic as right back and Bradley the 48 year old captain. Can’t wait!
Why does he need to be there?

I understand he will need to scout players, but there is plenty of footage available from these games that he should have access to, including tactical cams. I’m guessing he’s not supposed to be meeting with players while he’s down there to limit interactions between teams.
 
Why does he need to be there?

I understand he will need to scout players, but there is plenty of footage available from these games that he should have access to, including tactical cams. I’m guessing he’s not supposed to be meeting with players while he’s down there to limit interactions between teams.
Something like this is a NT coach's dream. Gets to see every single MLS player in the NT pool in one location. He probably won't have to many opportunities to do something like this with travel to Europe shut down.