MLS suspends season for 30 days due to coronavirus

MONTREAL, QC - FEBRUARY 29: The official MLS ball ahead of the game between the Montreal Impact and New England Revolution at Olympic Stadium on February 29, 2020 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Impact defeated New England Revolution 2-1. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

MLS announced on Thursday that the league will postpone matches for 30 days to assess the impact of coronavirus.

Major League Soccer has decided to put its 25th season on hold due to the spread of the novel coronavirus. MLS announced on Thursday that all matches will be suspended for 30 days “as the league continues to assess the impact of COVID-19 with its medical task force and public health officials.”

MLS matches had already started to be affected, with the Seattle Sounders and San Jose Earthquakes announcing on Wednesday the cancellation of upcoming home matches. Now those are just two of a number of matches that won’t be played in the U.S.

“Our clubs were united today in the decision to temporarily suspend our season – based on the advice and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), and other public health authorities, and in the best interest of our fans, players, officials and employees,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said in the statement. “We’d like to thank our fans for their continued support during this challenging time.”

The MLS cancellation comes a day after the NBA halted its season due to a positive test from one of its players. College basketball tournaments were also cancelled on Thursday and the NHL followed suit in pausing their ongoing season.

The spread of COVID-19 has hit soccer especially hard worldwide, with a Juventus player testing positive, Italy calling off all sports including Serie A for a month, UEFA Champions League matches being played behind closed doors or called off, a Premier League match being postponed and closed-door matches or cancellations announced in many other leagues.

The MLS statement also said, “At the appropriate time, the league and clubs will communicate plans for the continuation of the 2020 season and update the status of league events.”

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For more information about COVID-19, visit the CDC’s website or the website for your state’s Department of Health.

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