MLS is Back Tournament
Tournament details
CountryUnited States
Canada
CityBay Lake, Florida, U.S.
Venue(s)ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
DatesJuly 8 – August 11, 2020
Teams24
Final positions
ChampionsPortland Timbers
Runner-upOrlando City SC
Champions LeaguePortland Timbers
Tournament statistics
Matches played51
Goals scored146 (2.86 per match)
Top goal scorer(s)Diego Rossi
(7 goals)
Best playerSebastián Blanco

The MLS is Back Tournament took place during the 2020 Major League Soccer season to mark the league's return to action after being suspended as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the 26 Major League Soccer teams, 24 participated in the tournament; FC Dallas and Nashville SC withdrew after several of their players tested positive for COVID-19 just before their first matches. The tournament was held behind closed doors from July 8 to August 11, 2020, at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in the Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, Florida, near Orlando. The tournament featured a group stage, which was counted toward the 2020 MLS regular season standings, followed by knockout rounds. The tournament champion, Portland Timbers, qualified for the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League,[1] and the 2020 season resumed upon completion of the tournament.[2]

Background

The 2020 Major League Soccer season, the 25th season of the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada, began on February 29, 2020. On March 12, the season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic in North America, following the cancellation of several matches.[3] At the time of the cancellation, all 26 teams had played two league matches. On March 19, the suspension was extended until May 10,[4] and on April 17, was again extended to June 8.[5] On May 1, the league announced that players were allowed to resume individual outdoor training at MLS facilities on May 6.[6] The COVID-19 pandemic is the first interruption of regular season play since the 2001 season, in which many late regular season games were cancelled due to the September 11 attacks.

Plans to resume the MLS season at a single venue were made by the league in April and May. Among the locations considered were Las Vegas, Vancouver, Los Angeles, and Orlando. The name, "MLS is Back", was reused from a marketing slogan used prior to the season.[7]

Format

An aerial view of the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World, the site of the MLS is Back Tournament

The tournament was announced by Major League Soccer on June 10, 2020.[8] Teams could begin traveling to Florida on June 24, though they could arrive no later than seven days prior to their first match.[9] The tournament was planned to feature 54 matches (later reduced to 51 following the withdrawal of FC Dallas) played on 26 days, all taking place behind closed doors without spectators at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Bay Lake, Florida.

The 26 teams were originally split into six groups based on their conference, with one group containing six teams and five containing four teams. Each team will play three group stage matches, and the results will count toward the 2020 MLS regular season standings. However, following the withdrawal of FC Dallas and Nashville SC from the tournament, a revised structure for the group stage was announced on July 9, 2020. The tournament was split into six groups of four, with Chicago Fire FC moving from Group A to B.[10]

Following the group stage, sixteen teams advanced to the knockout stage: the top two teams from each of the six groups and the four best third-placed teams.[note 1] The knockout stage culminated in the tournament final on August 11. If a knockout match was tied at the end of regulation, a penalty shoot-out was used to determine the winner (no extra time was played).[12]

During the tournament, teams were allowed to name a maximum of twelve substitutes, an increase from the MLS rule of seven. Additionally, teams were allowed to make up to five substitutions in a match, following a temporary amendment to the Laws of the Game by IFAB in order to lessen the impact of fixture congestion caused by the pandemic.[13] However, each team was given only three opportunities to make substitutions, excluding those made at halftime.

The MLS is Back Tournament champions qualified for the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League. As a one-time change, this berth replaced the one normally awarded to the regular season conference champion that did not win the Supporters' Shield. The berth was awarded regardless of whether the champion was from the United States or Canada. Were the winners from Canada, they would still have participated in the 2020 Canadian Championship.[14] The tournament also featured a $1.1 million prize pool for players to earn additional bonuses.

Following the tournament, the MLS regular season resumed with a revised schedule, which concluded with the playoffs and MLS Cup 2020.[2] The MLS is Back tournament in itself became a contingency plan for the MLS in the event of a future pandemic or major disease outbreak.[2]

Medical protocol

Major League Soccer announced a medical protocol, in consultation with experts, to be used for the tournament to ensure the health and safety of players, coaches, officials, and staff. This included testing for COVID-19 prior to and throughout the tournament, wearing a face covering or mask, and social distancing to prevent an outbreak of COVID-19 from occurring. Players and staff who were deemed "high-risk individuals" were not permitted to attend the tournament unless medically cleared. Had anyone tested positive for COVID-19, they were required to isolate under a strict and detailed protocol to prevent transmission.[15]

Prior to travelling to Orlando, all players, coaches, referees, club personnel and league staff were required to complete two Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests 24 hours apart and 72 hours before travelling to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Upon arrival, all individuals were required to take another PCR test and are quarantined until the results of the tests arrive. All individuals who tested positive underwent a clinical assessment by a healthcare provider and moved to an isolation area of the hotel until they were medically cleared.[16]

Major League Soccer started producing updates on the testing results of the PCR tests performed in Orlando on June 28. Up to that point, 329 individuals were tested for COVID-19, and two players tested positive, both of whom had just arrived at the facility. Within the next two days, 392 more individuals were tested, of which four of them tested positive. FC Dallas then provided an update on July 1 confirming that six of their players had tested positive for COVID-19, and the rest of their delegation had been quarantined in their hotel rooms pending the results of additional testing. From July 1 to 2, 855 individuals were tested, six of whom were tested positive for COVID-19, four of which were players. From July 3 to 4, two more players tested positive for COVID-19. Between July 7 and 8, Major League Soccer reported that four individuals tested positive for COVID-19, out of 1888 individuals tested.[16]

On July 6, 2020, FC Dallas withdrew from the tournament due to ten players and one staff member of the club testing positive for COVID-19,[17] after their opening match was initially postponed.[18] On July 9, 2020, Nashville SC were also withdrawn from the tournament after nine players of the club tested positive for the virus,[10] after their opening match was initially postponed.[19]

On July 12, the match between Toronto FC and D.C. United was postponed just minutes prior to kickoff after at least one player was tested positive for COVID-19. The game was rescheduled for the following day on July 13, while the two players who received the positive and inconclusive test were both medically cleared to resume activities.[20] Meanwhile, on July 14, Major League Soccer announced that there were no individuals who were tested positive out of the teams still participating in the tournament, while there was a single positive case out of the two teams that had withdrawn from the tournament.[21] From July 16 onward, the MLS did not record a single positive test of COVID-19 within the delegation staying at the complex.[22]

Schedule

The schedule of the competition was as follows.[23] Up to three matches took place each day during the group stage, with kick-off times at 9 a.m., 8 p.m., and 10:30 p.m. EDT (UTC−4) due to the Florida climate.[24] Only one pair of matches overlapped during the tournament: Sporting Kansas City vs Colorado Rapids occurred simultaneously to D.C. United vs New England Revolution on adjacent fields on July 17, due to the latter match being rescheduled from an earlier date. The full match schedule for the tournament was announced on June 24, 2020.[25]

Phase Round Match dates
Group stage Matchday 1 July 8 – July 13, 2020
Matchday 2 July 14 – July 18, 2020
Matchday 3 July 19 – July 23, 2020
Knockout stage Round of 16 July 25 – July 28, 2020
Quarter-finals July 30 – August 1, 2020
Semi-finals August 5 – August 6, 2020
Final August 11, 2020

Draw

The draw for the group stage took place on June 11, 2020, at 3:30 p.m. EDT (UTC−4), hosted by Charlie Davies and Susannah Collins. The 26 teams were drawn into six groups based on their conference. To allow for an even number of teams in each group for the tournament, Nashville SC was moved from the Western Conference to the Eastern Conference for the remainder of the 2020 season.[26] The fourteen teams of the Eastern Conference were drawn into one group of six teams (Group A) and two groups of four teams (Groups C and E). The twelve teams of the Western Conference were drawn into three groups of four teams (Group B, D, and F).

Three teams from each conference were seeded and drawn into separate groups. Orlando City SC was considered the "host" of the tournament and was therefore seeded and automatically assigned to Group A. The remaining five seeds were determined based on results from the 2019 season.[27] Inter Miami CF was automatically assigned to Group A in order to face rival Florida club Orlando City SC in the opening match of the competition.[28]

Pot Eastern Conference Western Conference
Seeded
Unseeded
  1. ↑ Orlando City SC, designated as the tournament hosts, was seeded and automatically assigned to position A1.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Seeded as a semi-finalist in the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs.
  3. ↑ Seeded as the next highest-ranked team in the 2019 season Western Conference.
  4. ↑ Inter Miami CF was automatically assigned to position A2 in order to face fellow Florida club Orlando City SC in the opening match of the tournament.
  5. ↑ Nashville SC was moved from the Western Conference to the Eastern Conference for the remainder of the 2020 season.

The seeded teams were drawn first and allocated to position 1 of the first available group. The unseeded teams were subsequently drawn, with the representatives of the six seeded teams, in rotation, choosing a numbered ball to occupy the next available position in their group until all the groups were completed. The draw resulted in the following groups:[29]

Group A (East)
PosTeam
A1Orlando City SC
A2Inter Miami CF
A3New York City FC
A4Philadelphia Union
A5Chicago Fire FC[lower-alpha 1]
A6Nashville SC[lower-alpha 2]
Group B (West)
PosTeam
B1Seattle Sounders FC
B2FC Dallas[lower-alpha 2]
B3Vancouver Whitecaps FC
B4San Jose Earthquakes
Group C (East)
PosTeam
C1Toronto FC
C2New England Revolution
C3Montreal Impact
C4D.C. United
Group D (West)
PosTeam
D1Real Salt Lake
D2Sporting Kansas City
D3Colorado Rapids
D4Minnesota United FC
Group E (East)
PosTeam
E1Atlanta United FC
E2FC Cincinnati
E3New York Red Bulls
E4Columbus Crew SC
Group F (West)
PosTeam
F1Los Angeles FC
F2LA Galaxy
F3Houston Dynamo FC
F4Portland Timbers
  1. ↑ Chicago Fire was later moved to Group B following the withdrawal of FC Dallas and Nashville SC.
  2. 1 2 Withdrawn from the tournament

Originally, the teams in Group A were scheduled to only face three out of the five teams within their group. However, after the group stage format was revised, all teams faced each other. The following were the initial pairings set prior to the draw:[27]

Original Group A fixtures
Team Opponents
A1 (Orlando City SC) A2, A3, A6
A2 (Inter Miami CF) A1, A4, A5
A3 (New York City FC) A1, A4, A5
A4 (Philadelphia Union) A2, A3, A6
A5 (Chicago Fire FC) A2, A3, A6
A6 (Nashville SC) A1, A4, A5

On July 9, 2020, following the withdrawal of FC Dallas and Nashville SC, Major League Soccer announced that Chicago Fire FC would move from Group A to B, with Group A therefore becoming a four-team group.[10] As a result, Chicago Fire was the only Eastern Conference team in an otherwise Western Conference group.

Group stage

The results of all the games in this stage were counted for points toward the 2020 regular season standings.[2]

Tiebreakers

The ranking of teams in the group stage was determined as follows:[2][30]

  1. Higher number of points obtained in all group matches;
  2. Higher number of wins in all group matches;
  3. Superior goal difference in all group matches;
  4. Higher number of goals scored in all group matches;
  5. Lower disciplinary points total in all group matches:
    • Foul: 1 point;
    • Yellow card: 3 points;
    • Indirect red card (second yellow card): 7 points;
    • Direct red card: 7 points;
    • Coach dismissal: 7 points;
    • Any supplemental discipline: 8 points;
  6. Coin toss (tie of two teams) or drawing of lots (tie of three or more teams).

Group A

Group A results
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Orlando City SC (H) 3 2 1 0 6 3 +3 7 Advanced to knockout stage
2 Philadelphia Union 3 2 1 0 4 2 +2 7
3 New York City FC 3 1 0 2 2 4 −2 3
4 Inter Miami CF 3 0 0 3 2 5 −3 0
Source: MLS
(H) Hosts
Orlando City SC2–1Inter Miami CF
  • Mueller 70'
  • Nani 90+7'
 Report
Referee: Rubiel Vazquez
New York City FC0–1Philadelphia Union
Report
Referee: Armando Villarreal
New York City FC1–3Orlando City SC
 Report
Referee: Robert Sibiga
Philadelphia Union2–1Inter Miami CF
 Report
Referee: Silviu Petrescu
Inter Miami CF0–1New York City FC
Report
Referee: Rosendo Mendoza
Philadelphia Union1–1Orlando City SC
Ilsinho 68' Report Pereyra 70'
Referee: Rubiel Vazquez

Group B

Group B results
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 San Jose Earthquakes 3 2 1 0 6 3 +3 7 Advanced to knockout stage
2 Seattle Sounders FC 3 1 1 1 4 2 +2 4
3 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 3 1 0 2 5 7 −2 3
4 Chicago Fire 3 1 0 2 2 5 −3 3
Source: MLS
Seattle Sounders FC0–0San Jose Earthquakes
Report
Referee: Drew Fischer
Chicago Fire FC2–1Seattle Sounders FC
 Report
Referee: Rosendo Mendoza
Vancouver Whitecaps FC3–4San Jose Earthquakes
 Report
Referee: Marcos de Oliveira
Chicago Fire FC0–2San Jose Earthquakes
Report
Referee: Ramy Touchan
Seattle Sounders FC3–0Vancouver Whitecaps FC
 Report
Referee: Robert Sibiga
Chicago Fire FC0–2Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Report
Referee: Armando Villarreal

Group C

Group C results
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Toronto FC 3 1 2 0 6 5 +1 5 Advanced to knockout stage
2 New England Revolution 3 1 2 0 2 1 +1 5
3 Montreal Impact 3 1 0 2 4 5 −1 3
4 D.C. United 3 0 2 1 3 4 −1 2
Source: MLS
Montreal Impact0–1New England Revolution
Report
Referee: Guido Gonzales, Jr.
Toronto FC2–2D.C. United
 Report
Referee: Fotis Bazakos
Montreal Impact3–4Toronto FC
 Report
Referee: Jair Marrufo
D.C. United1–1New England Revolution
 Report
Referee: Joseph Dickerson
Toronto FC0–0New England Revolution
Report
Referee: Jair Marrufo
Montreal Impact1–0D.C. United
 Report
Referee: Alex Chilowicz

Group D

Group D results
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Sporting Kansas City 3 2 0 1 6 4 +2 6 Advanced to knockout stage
2 Minnesota United FC 3 1 2 0 4 3 +1 5
3 Real Salt Lake 3 1 1 1 2 2 0 4
4 Colorado Rapids 3 0 1 2 4 7 −3 1
Source: MLS
Sporting Kansas City1–2Minnesota United FC
 Report
Referee: Joseph Dickerson
Real Salt Lake2–0Colorado Rapids
 Report
Referee: Jair Marrufo
Sporting Kansas City3–2Colorado Rapids
 Report
Referee: David Gantar
Real Salt Lake0–0Minnesota United FC
Report
Referee: Alex Chilowicz
Real Salt Lake0–2Sporting Kansas City
Report
Referee: Fotis Bazakos
Colorado Rapids2–2Minnesota United FC
 Report
Referee: Guido Gonzales Jr.

Group E

Group E results
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Columbus Crew SC 3 3 0 0 7 0 +7 9 Advanced to knockout stage
2 FC Cincinnati 3 2 0 1 3 4 −1 6
3 New York Red Bulls 3 1 0 2 1 4 −3 3
4 Atlanta United 3 0 0 3 0 3 −3 0
Source: MLS
Atlanta United FC0–1New York Red Bulls
Report
Referee: Allen Chapman
FC Cincinnati0–4Columbus Crew SC
Report
Referee: Ismail Elfath
Atlanta United FC0–1FC Cincinnati
Report Amaya 76'
Referee: Victor Rivas
Columbus Crew SC2–0New York Red Bulls
 Report
Referee: Ramy Touchan
Atlanta United FC0–1Columbus Crew SC
Report
Referee: Timothy Ford
FC Cincinnati2–0New York Red Bulls
 Report
Referee: Marcos de Oliveira

Group F

Group F results
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Portland Timbers 3 2 1 0 6 4 +2 7 Advanced to knockout stage
2 Los Angeles FC 3 1 2 0 11 7 +4 5
3 Houston Dynamo 3 0 2 1 5 6 −1 2
4 LA Galaxy 3 0 1 2 4 9 −5 1
Source: MLS
Los Angeles FC3–3Houston Dynamo FC
 Report
Referee: Timothy Ford
LA Galaxy1–2Portland Timbers
 Report
Referee: Ramy Touchan
Portland Timbers2–1Houston Dynamo FC
 Report
Referee: Ismail Elfath
Los Angeles FC6–2LA Galaxy
 Report
Referee: Allen Chapman
LA Galaxy1–1Houston Dynamo FC
 Report
Referee: Victor Rivas
Los Angeles FC2–2Portland Timbers
 Report
Referee: Drew Fischer

Ranking of third-placed teams

The results of the third-placed teams from the six groups were compared against each other. The top four teams of this ranking advanced to the round of 16.

3rd place ranking
Pos Grp Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 D Real Salt Lake 3 1 1 1 2 2 0 4 Advanced to knockout stage
2 C Montreal Impact 3 1 0 2 4 5 −1 3
3 B Vancouver Whitecaps FC 3 1 0 2 5 7 −2 3
4 A New York City FC 3 1 0 2 2 4 −2 3
5 E New York Red Bulls 3 1 0 2 1 4 −3 3
6 F Houston Dynamo 3 0 2 1 5 6 −1 2
Source: MLS
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal differential; 3) Goals scored; 4) Fewest disciplinary points

Knockout stage

In this stage, if a match was tied at the end of 90 minutes of normal playing time, a penalty shoot-out was used to determine the winners.[2]

Bracket

 
Round of 16Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
              
 
July 25
 
 
Philadelphia Union1
 
July 30
 
New England Revolution0
 
Philadelphia Union3
 
July 26
 
Sporting Kansas City1
 
Sporting Kansas City0 (3)
 
August 5
 
Vancouver Whitecaps FC0 (1)
 
Philadelphia Union1
 
July 26
 
Portland Timbers2
 
Toronto FC1
 
August 1
 
New York City FC3
 
New York City FC1
 
July 28
 
Portland Timbers3
 
Portland Timbers1 (4)
 
August 11
 
FC Cincinnati1 (2)
 
Portland Timbers2
 
July 25
 
Orlando City SC1
 
Orlando City SC1
 
July 31
 
Montreal Impact0
 
Orlando City SC1 (5)
 
July 27
 
Los Angeles FC1 (4)
 
Seattle Sounders FC1
 
August 6
 
Los Angeles FC4
 
 Orlando City SC3
 
July 27
 
Minnesota United FC1
 
San Jose Earthquakes5
 
August 1
 
Real Salt Lake2
 
San Jose Earthquakes1
 
July 28
 
Minnesota United FC4
 
Columbus Crew SC1 (3)
 
 
Minnesota United FC1 (5)
 

Round of 16

Orlando City SC1–0Montreal Impact
 Report
Referee: Marcos de Oliveira
Philadelphia Union1–0New England Revolution
 Report
Referee: Ismail Elfath
Toronto FC1–3New York City FC
 Report
Referee: Alex Chilowicz
Sporting Kansas City0–0Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Report
Penalties
 3–1
Referee: Victor Rivas
San Jose Earthquakes5–2Real Salt Lake
 Report
Referee: Drew Fischer
Seattle Sounders FC1–4Los Angeles FC
 Report
Referee: Jair Marrufo
Portland Timbers1–1FC Cincinnati
 Report
Penalties
 4–2
Referee: Armando Villarreal

Quarter-finals

Philadelphia Union3–1Sporting Kansas City
 Report
Referee: Ramy Touchan
Orlando City SC1–1Los Angeles FC
 Report
Penalties
 5–4
Referee: Joseph Dickerson
San Jose Earthquakes1–4Minnesota United FC
 Report
Referee: Jair Marrufo
New York City FC1–3Portland Timbers
 Report
Referee: Allen Chapman

Semi-finals

Philadelphia Union1–2Portland Timbers
 Report
Referee: Allen Chapman
Orlando City SC3–1Minnesota United FC
 Report
Referee: Drew Fischer

Final

Portland Timbers2–1Orlando City SC
 Report
Attendance: 0 (behind closed doors)
Referee: Ismail Elfath

Statistics

Top scorers

Rank Player Club Goals
1 Uruguay Diego Rossi Los Angeles FC 7
2 Canada Ayo Akinola Toronto FC 5
3 United States Jeremy Ebobisse Portland Timbers 4
England Bradley Wright-Phillips Los Angeles FC
United States Gyasi Zardes Columbus Crew SC
6 Argentina Sebastián Blanco Portland Timbers 3
Sweden Magnus Eriksson San Jose Earthquakes
Paraguay Jesús Medina New York City FC
United States Chris Mueller Orlando City SC
Portugal Nani Orlando City SC
Brazil Sérgio Santos Philadelphia Union
Algeria Saphir Taïder Montreal Impact
United States Chris Wondolowski San Jose Earthquakes

Top assists

Rank Player Club Assists
1 Argentina Sebastián Blanco Portland Timbers 5
Spain Alejandro Pozuelo Toronto FC
3 Portugal Nani Orlando City SC 3
Mexico Alan Pulido Sporting Kansas City
Uruguay Brian Rodríguez Los Angeles FC
Argentina Diego Valeri Portland Timbers
7 United States Brenden Aaronson Philadelphia Union 2
Uruguay José Aja Minnesota United FC
United States Corey Baird Real Salt Lake
United States Alejandro Bedoya Philadelphia Union
Brazil Felipe D.C. United
Uruguay Francisco Ginella Los Angeles FC
Brazil Héber New York City FC
Madagascar Romain Métanire Minnesota United FC
United States Jordan Morris Seattle Sounders FC
Argentina Matías Pellegrini Inter Miami CF
Argentina Lucas Zelarayán Columbus Crew SC

Shutouts

Rank Player Club Shutouts
1 Jamaica Andre Blake Philadelphia Union 2
Switzerland Stefan Frei Seattle Sounders FC
Canada Thomas Hasal Vancouver Whitecaps FC
United States Zac MacMath Real Salt Lake
United States Tim Melia Sporting Kansas City
Curaçao Eloy Room Columbus Crew SC
United States Matt Turner New England Revolution
Poland Przemysław Tytoń FC Cincinnati
Argentina Daniel Vega San Jose Earthquakes
10 United States Alex Bono Toronto FC 1
Senegal Clément Diop Montreal Impact
Peru Pedro Gallese Orlando City SC
Denmark David Jensen New York Red Bulls
United States Sean Johnson New York City FC
United States Tyler Miller Minnesota United FC
United States Andrew Tarbell Columbus Crew SC

Awards

Individual awards

The following awards were given at the conclusion of the tournament:

The Golden Boot was given to the top scorer of the tournament. If multiple players had been level on goals scored, the first tiebreaker for the award would have been assists. Audi donated $10,000 to the academy of the winning player's club.[39] The Player of the Tournament, Golden Glove, and Young Player of the Tournament were given out based on voting from the media (75%) and fans (25%). The Goal and Save of the Tournament were determined by the editorial team of MLSsoccer.com shortlisting eight candidates, with the final result chosen by online fan voting.[39]

MLS is Back Tournament Best XI

The media chose the best eleven players of the tournament in a 4–3–3 formation.[39]

Goalkeeper Defenders Midfielders Forwards Ref.
[40]

Man of the Match

The Man of the Match was named after each match by the editorial team of MLSsoccer.com.[39]

Team of the Week

The Team of the Week included the top players and coach during each week of the tournament, as chosen by the editorial team of MLSsoccer.com.[39]

Goal of the Week

The Goal of the Week determines the best goal during each week of the tournament. The editorial team of MLSsoccer.com shortlists goals for fans to vote for on Twitter.[39]

Media and broadcasting

All games in the tournament were produced by ESPN as host broadcaster, and were televised by Major League Soccer's media partners in the United States, Canada, and worldwide. Per health protocols, few ESPN staff members had on-field access, on-site production staff were divided into smaller groups, and all games were called remotely (with ESPN's games being called from the network's headquarters in Bristol). ESPN decided against using simulated crowd noise for its broadcasts, instead placing a focus on "enhanced" in-game audio via microphones embedded in the field (Fox Sports and Univision/TUDN stated that, by contrast, they would use artificial crowd noise, with Fox offering options for crowd audio on the online streams of its matches).[100] ESPN employed 33 cameras each on the three fields, and also used drone cameras for aerial shots. A large chroma key wall was erected at each field in place of grandstands, which was used for displaying in-game sponsor logos.[101][102] Jon Champion and Taylor Twellman served as ESPN's lead broadcast team for the tournament, while Adrian Healey and Alejandro Moreno and Steve Cangialosi and Shep Messing called select games, with Stefano Fusaro served as the on-site reporter for all the matches. Fox Sports had John Strong and Stuart Holden commentate on all of their matches, while Rob Stone, Alexi Lalas, and Maurice Edu hosted the pregame and postgame shows for select matches.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ This was the format initially announced by Major League Soccer. However, on June 24, 2020, it was announced that the third-placed team of the larger Group A would also advance directly, and only three teams would advance (with the fourth-placed team of Group A also eligible to advance).[11] However, the original knockout qualification format was restored on July 9, after the group stage format was revised following the withdrawal of FC Dallas and Nashville SC.[10]
  2. ↑ Following the initial delay of the Toronto FC and D.C. United match, the group stage match between San Jose Earthquakes and Seattle Sounders FC, originally scheduled for July 10, 2020, 10:30 p.m. EDT, was moved to 9:00 p.m. EDT.[19]
  3. 1 2 3 4 The group stage match between Toronto FC and D.C. United, originally scheduled for July 10, 2020, 8:00 p.m. EDT, was rescheduled to July 12, 9:00 a.m. EDT, due to Toronto FC's delayed arrival in Florida.[19] The match was later rescheduled to the July 13, 2020, after an unconfirmed positive COVID-19 test for one player and an inconclusive test for another player among the teams. As a result, three other group stage fixtures were rescheduled. The match between Montreal Impact and Toronto FC, originally scheduled for July 15, 2020, 8:00 p.m. EDT, was rescheduled to July 16. The match between D.C. United and New England Revolution, originally scheduled for July 16, 2020, 8:00 p.m. EDT, was rescheduled to July 17. The match between Vancouver Whitecaps FC and San Jose Earthquakes, originally scheduled for July 15, 2020, 10:30 p.m. EDT, was moved to 9:00 p.m. EDT.[20]
  4. ↑ The group stage match between Seattle Sounders FC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, originally scheduled for July 20, 2020, 10:30 p.m. EDT, was rescheduled to July 19.[10]
  5. 1 2 The group stage match between Atlanta United FC and New York Red Bulls, originally scheduled for July 11, 2020, 8:00 p.m. EDT, was delayed to 8:45 p.m. EDT due to inclement weather.[31] As a result, the match between FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew SC later that same day, originally scheduled for 10:30 p.m. EDT, was delayed to 11:20 p.m. EDT to prevent the matches from overlapping.[32]
  6. ↑ The match was moved from July 27 to 26.
  7. ↑ The match was moved from July 26 to 27.

References

  1. ↑ "MLS is Back Tournament". Major League Soccer. June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "MLS is Back Tournament format: Your essential guide to the event". Major League Soccer. June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  3. ↑ "MLS suspends 2020 season for 30 days due to coronavirus" (Press release). Major League Soccer. March 12, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  4. ↑ "MLS extends season suspension in accordance with CDC guidance on COVID-19" (Press release). Major League Soccer. March 19, 2020. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
  5. ↑ "MLS postponement extended until at least June 8 due to ongoing impact of COVID-19 pandemic" (Press release). Major League Soccer. April 17, 2020. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  6. ↑ "MLS announces players may begin to use outdoor training fields for individual workouts May 6". MLSSoccer.com. May 1, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  7. ↑ Maurer, Pablo; Pentz, Matt (November 5, 2021). "'Maybe this was just a horrible idea': MLS is Back, remembered by those who built and lived in the bubble". The Athletic. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  8. ↑ "MLS is Back: All 26 Teams to Resume Season at ESPN Wide World of Sports Starting July 8". Major League Soccer. June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  9. ↑ Carlisle, Jeff (June 10, 2020). "MLS is Back Tournament to kick off on July 8 in Orlando". ESPN. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 "Nashville SC withdrawn from MLS is Back Tournament: Here's how the groups and schedule change". Major League Soccer. July 9, 2020. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
  11. ↑ "MLS updates Round of 16 qualification process for MLS is Back Tournament". Major League Soccer. June 24, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  12. ↑ "MLS is Back Tournament Competition Guidelines". Major League Soccer. June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  13. ↑ "Five substitutes option temporarily allowed for competition organisers". International Football Association Board. May 8, 2020. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  14. ↑ "CONCACAF Statement – Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League qualification for the winner of MLS Is Back tournament". CONCACAF. Miami. June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  15. ↑ "MLS tournament testing: The health, safety and medical protocols for Orlando". Major League Soccer. June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  16. 1 2 "Major League Soccer announces COVID-19 testing update". MLSSoccer.com. July 9, 2020. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
  17. ↑ "FC Dallas withdrawn from MLS is Back Tournament". Major League Soccer. July 6, 2020. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
  18. ↑ "MLS is Back Tournament game between FC Dallas and Vancouver Whitecaps postponed to later date". Major League Soccer. July 4, 2020. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  19. 1 2 3 "Nashville SC vs. Chicago Fire FC game postponed, two other MLS is Back Tournament games rescheduled". Major League Soccer. July 7, 2020. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  20. 1 2 "Toronto FC vs. DC United to go ahead Monday, three other MLS is Back Tournament games rescheduled". Major League Soccer. July 12, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2020.
  21. ↑ "Major League Soccer announces COVID-19 testing update". Major League Soccer. July 14, 2020. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  22. ↑ "Major League Soccer announces COVID-19 testing update". August 11, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  23. ↑ "MLS is Back Tournament Bracket". Major League Soccer. June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  24. ↑ Carlisle, Jeff (June 11, 2020). "MLS is Back Tournament: What we know about player testing, groups, schedule". ESPN. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  25. ↑ "Full match schedule and TV info unveiled for MLS is Back Tournament". Major League Soccer. June 24, 2020. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  26. ↑ "Nashville SC moves to Eastern Conference for remainder of 2020 season". Major League Soccer. June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  27. 1 2 "MLS is Back Tournament draw: How to watch it and everything you need to know". Major League Soccer. June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  28. ↑ "MLS is Back Tournament will kick off with Orlando City vs. Inter Miami as opening game". Major League Soccer. June 11, 2020. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  29. ↑ "Group Stage Matchups Set for MLS is Back Tournament". Major League Soccer. June 11, 2020. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  30. ↑ "MLS Competition Guidelines 2020". Major League Soccer. March 1, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  31. ↑ "MLS is Back Tournament game between Atlanta United and New York Red Bulls delayed due to weather". Major League Soccer. July 11, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  32. ↑ "FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew match will start at 11 pm ET". Major League Soccer. July 11, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  33. ↑ Sigal, Jonathan (August 13, 2020). "Portland Timbers star Sebastian Blanco named MLS is Back Player of the Tournament presented by adidas". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  34. ↑ Baer, Benjamin (August 11, 2020). "LAFC forward Diego Rossi wins MLS is Back Tournament Golden Boot presented by Audi". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  35. ↑ Quillen, Ian (August 12, 2020). "Philadelphia Union's Andre Blake wins MLS is Back Tournament Golden Glove presented by Allstate". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  36. ↑ "LAFC's Diego Rossi named MLS is Back Young Player of the Tournament presented by AT&T 5G". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. August 12, 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  37. ↑ "Portland Timbers' Andy Polo wins MLS is Back Goal of the Tournament". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. August 14, 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  38. ↑ "Portland Timbers goalkeeper Steve Clark captures MLS is Back Save of the Tournament". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. August 14, 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  39. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "MLS is Back Tournament: All the awards players can win in Orlando". Major League Soccer. July 6, 2020. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
  40. ↑ "MLS is Back Tournament Best XI presented by BODYARMOR". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. August 13, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  41. ↑ Sigal, Jonathan (July 8, 2020). "Orlando City 2, Inter Miami 1 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  42. ↑ Bogert, Tom (July 9, 2020). "New York City FC 0, Philadelphia Union 1 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
  43. ↑ Quillen, Ian (July 9, 2020). "Montreal Impact 0, New England Revolution 1 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
  44. ↑ Liljenwall, Ari (July 10, 2020). "Seattle Sounders 0, San Jose Earthquakes 0 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  45. ↑ Liljenwall, Ari (July 11, 2020). "Atlanta United 0, New York Red Bulls 1 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  46. ↑ Liljenwall, Ari (July 12, 2020). "FC Cincinnati 0, Columbus Crew SC 4 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 12, 2020.
  47. ↑ Sigal, Jonathan (July 12, 2020). "Sporting Kansas City 1, Minnesota United 2 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 12, 2020.
  48. ↑ Sigal, Jonathan (July 13, 2020). "Real Salt Lake 2, Colorado Rapids 0 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  49. ↑ Bogert, Tom (July 13, 2020). "Toronto FC 2, DC United 2 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  50. ↑ Sigal, Jonathan (July 13, 2020). "LAFC 3, Houston Dynamo 3 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  51. ↑ Sigal, Jonathan (July 13, 2020). "LA Galaxy 1, Portland Timbers 2 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  52. ↑ Bogert, Tom (July 14, 2020). "Chicago Fire FC 2, Seattle Sounders 1 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
  53. ↑ Liljenwall, Ari (July 14, 2020). "New York City FC 1, Orlando City SC 3 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
  54. ↑ Liljenwall, Ari (July 14, 2020). "Philadelphia Union 2, Inter Miami CF 1 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
  55. ↑ Liljenwall, Ari (July 15, 2020). "Vancouver Whitecaps FC 3, San Jose Earthquakes 4 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  56. ↑ Bogert, Tom (July 16, 2020). "Atlanta United 0, FC Cincinnati 1 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  57. ↑ Liljenwall, Ari (July 16, 2020). "Montreal Impact 3, Toronto FC 4 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  58. ↑ Liljenwall, Ari (July 16, 2020). "Columbus Crew SC 2, New York Red Bulls 0 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  59. ↑ Quillen, Ian (July 17, 2020). "DC United 1, New England Revolution 1 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  60. ↑ Butler, Dylan (July 17, 2020). "Sporting Kansas City 3, Colorado Rapids 2 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  61. ↑ Butler, Dylan (July 17, 2020). "Real Salt Lake 0, Minnesota United 0 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  62. ↑ Sigal, Jonathan (July 18, 2020). "Portland Timbers 2, Houston Dynamo 1 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  63. ↑ Sigal, Jonathan (July 18, 2020). "LAFC 6, LA Galaxy 2 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  64. ↑ Quillen, Ian (July 19, 2020). "Chicago Fire FC 0, San Jose Earthquakes 2 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  65. ↑ Quillen, Ian (July 19, 2020). "Vancouver Whitecaps FC 0, Seattle Sounders 3 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  66. ↑ Bogert, Tom (July 20, 2020). "Inter Miami CF 0, New York City FC 1 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  67. ↑ Liljenwall, Ari (July 20, 2020). "Philadelphia Union 1, Orlando City SC 1 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  68. ↑ Bogert, Tom (July 21, 2020). "Toronto FC 0, New England Revolution 0 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  69. ↑ Butler, Dylan (July 21, 2020). "Atlanta United 0, Columbus Crew SC 1 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  70. ↑ Butler, Dylan (July 21, 2020). "Montreal Impact 1, DC United 0 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  71. ↑ Bogert, Tom (July 22, 2020). "Real Salt Lake 0, Sporting Kansas City 2 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  72. ↑ Sigal, Jonathan (July 22, 2020). "FC Cincinnati 2, New York Red Bulls 0 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  73. ↑ Sigal, Jonathan (July 22, 2020). "Colorado Rapids 2, Minnesota United 2 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  74. ↑ Bogert, Tom (July 23, 2020). "Chicago Fire FC 0, Vancouver Whitecaps 2 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  75. ↑ Liljenwall, Ari (July 23, 2020). "LA Galaxy 1, Houston Dynamo 1 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  76. ↑ Liljenwall, Ari (July 23, 2020). "LAFC 2, Portland Timbers 2 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  77. ↑ Butler, Dylan (July 25, 2020). "Orlando City SC 1, Montreal Impact 0 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  78. ↑ Butler, Dylan (July 25, 2020). "Philadelphia Union 1, New England Revolution 0 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  79. ↑ Liljenwall, Ari (July 26, 2020). "Toronto FC 1, New York City FC 3 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  80. ↑ Liljenwall, Ari (July 26, 2020). "Sporting Kansas City 0 (3), Vancouver Whitecaps FC 0 (1) | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  81. ↑ Sigal, Jonathan (July 27, 2020). "San Jose Earthquakes 5, Real Salt Lake 2 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  82. ↑ Sigal, Jonathan (July 27, 2020). "Seattle Sounders 1, LAFC 4 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  83. ↑ Quillen, Ian (July 28, 2020). "Columbus Crew SC 1 (3), Minnesota United 1 (5) | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  84. ↑ Quillen, Ian (July 12, 2020). "Portland Timbers 1 (4), FC Cincinnati 1 (2) | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 12, 2020.
  85. ↑ Sigal, Jonathan (July 30, 2020). "Philadelphia Union 3, Sporting Kansas City 1 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  86. ↑ Sigal, Jonathan (July 31, 2020). "Orlando City 1 (5), LAFC 1 (4) | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  87. ↑ Sigal, Jonathan (August 1, 2020). "San Jose Earthquakes 1, Minnesota United 4 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  88. ↑ Liljenwall, Ari (August 1, 2020). "New York City FC 1, Portland Timbers 3 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  89. ↑ Sigal, Jonathan (August 5, 2020). "Philadelphia Union 1, Portland Timbers 2 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  90. ↑ Sigal, Jonathan (August 6, 2020). "Orlando City 3, Minnesota United 1 | MLS is Back Tournament Match Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  91. ↑ Sigal, Jonathan (August 11, 2020). "Portland Timbers 2, Orlando City 1 | MLS is Back Tournament Final Recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  92. ↑ "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Columbus Crew get plenty of love in Round 1". Major League Soccer. July 14, 2020. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  93. ↑ "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Young stars take center take in Round 2 of the MLS is Back Tournament". Major League Soccer. July 19, 2020. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  94. ↑ "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Homegrowns Jordan Morris and Mark McKenzie lead the way in Round 3". Major League Soccer. July 24, 2020. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  95. ↑ "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Mark McKenzie shines, Thomas Hasal gets the nod in goal". Major League Soccer. July 29, 2020. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
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  98. ↑ Sigal, Jonathan (July 25, 2020). "Sporting's Gerso Fernandes wins AT&T Goal of the Week for MLS is Back Round 3". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  99. ↑ Butler, Dylan (July 30, 2020). "Sergio Santos claims AT&T Goal of the Week for MLS is Back Round of 16". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
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