Nashville SC withdrawn from MLS is Back Tournament, Chicago Fire FC joins Group B
By John Buhler
Nashville SC joins FC Dallas as the second team withdrawn from MLS is Back.
Nashville SC can’t catch a break in its inaugural MLS season, can it?
Nashville is one of two expansion clubs during the 2020 MLS season. Along with Inter Miami FC, the league continues to expand to major southeastern markets like Nashville, Tennessee and Miami, Florida. Along with Atlanta United FC and Orlando City SC, the southeast has become a hotbed for MLS growth and rabid fandom. Unfortunately, Nashville’s time in the bubble is done.
As expected, MLS has withdrawn Nashville SC from the MLS is Back Tournament taking place at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Since arriving in Central Florida, nine players on Nashville SC tested positive for COVID-19. The expansion franchise joins FC Dallas as the second club to be withdrawn by the league from this one-of-a-kind tournament due to a coronavirus outbreak.
“We have withdrawn Nashville SC from the MLS is Back Tournament. Due to the number of positive tests, the club has been unable to train since arriving in Orlando and would not be able to play matches,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. “For every decision we make in our return to play, the wellbeing of our players, staff, officials and all participants is our top priority.”
Nashville SC to be replaced by Chicago Fire FC in Group B for MLS is Back.
While it stinks to see two clubs not have an opportunity to play for a Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League bid, as that’s what’s a stake in this one-of-a-kind tournament, there are a few positives to be had with the tournament being played in the Orlando bubble as well.
Because it was initially a wonky set-up with 26 teams being assigned for six groupings, Group A was overloaded with six clubs: Orlando City SC, Inter Miami FC, Philadelphia Union, New York City FC, FC Dallas and Chicago Fire FC. Groups B through F all had four teams. With Nashville SC being eliminated from Group B, Chicago Fire FC moves over to Group be seamlessly.
Chicago Fire was the only team in Group A that had not played a single tournament game. Orlando City won a thrilling match over Inter Miami with a late goal by Chris Mueller on Wednesday night, 2-1. Alejandro Bedoya guided Philadelphia Union to a 1-0 victory over NYC FC on Thursday morning. Though the television product was different, those were two great matches on the pitch.
Chicago Fire will commences Group B play on July 14 when the club takes on defending MLS Cup champion Seattle Sounders at 9:00 a.m. ET. On July 19, Chicago Fire will play San Jose Earthquakes at 8:00 p.m. ET. They will then face Vancouver Whitecaps FC at 9:00 a.m. ET on July 23 to round out group stage.
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The other positive news is all 24 remaining MLS clubs seem to have the coronavirus under contract. MLS Commissioner Don Garber is taking the protocol in place in Orlando as seriously as one could. He knows his league has a tremendous opportunity to be the first major sports league back in the United States. Under his leadership, MLS has exploded in the last 20 years.
Though Nashville SC is no longer a participant, the MLS is Back Tournament will carry on.