MLS plans to leave the COVID bubble, allow fans. Other sports will be watching close.
Major League Soccer is not selling it as a COVID party but, in 2020, if it looks like a bad idea, and smells like a bad idea, go for it.
MLS is set to become the first major North American sports league to try to hold games with fans in the stands in home stadiums during the time of COVID.
The MLS is tentatively planning to return to play at home venues, which means FC Dallas would play its first match since March 7.
MLS commissioner Greg Garber told Fox Sports 1 that the league will return to play this season, at home stadiums, and fans will be allowed in areas that permit such gatherings. This means many matches will be played in empty venues.
A schedule and formal announcement are expected as early as Friday, although details are being worked out by the minute. Expect FC Dallas to play the first match of the “re-start,” most likely around Aug. 20.
The question is, will fans be allowed in to watch FC Dallas in Frisco?
FC Dallas could host home matches with a few fans in the 20,500-seat Toyota Stadium in Frisco. At most it would appear that the maximum capacity will be 50% allowed inside, but officials expect that to be more like 25%.
Lower-tier soccer leagues in the U.S. have taken a similar approach in recent weeks, generating zero attention.
Ask yourself why these teams are even trying to pull this off despite the obstacles, and risk.
Thank you for asking, Mr. Wallet.
MLS can’t rely on TV revenue to mitigate its losses, whereas the NBA, MLB and NHL can. The MLS has done nothing but lose in 2020.
The need to generate a dime in terms of tickets, concessions and parking, and to open up some of the money lost in their annual corporate sponsorship agreements, is driving this move.
Since COVID closed the world, the only sporting event in Texas to have fans is the NASCAR race at Texas Motor Speedway in July.
The Texas Rangers have played home games at the new Globe Life Mall, but fans are not permitted.
Only MLB teams are traveling to play away games. Predictably, COVID outbreaks on teams have occurred, forcing baseball to cancel some games.
MLB is pressing on.
Expect the MLS, and NFL and NCAA football, to watch the mistakes made by MLB and enforce strict guidelines among the traveling parties to play these games. Millions are at stake.
MLS originally returned with the “MLS is Back” tournament in Orlando, which began in early July. FC Dallas, however, was unable to play even one match after an outbreak of COVID-19 cases.
A similar fate befell Nashville SC.
The five-week tournament, which played in a bubble-like setting similar to the NBA, is scheduled to end on Aug. 11.
Overseas, some leagues have allowed fans back in for sporting events; in early July, 5,000 fans were allowed in the 25,000-seat Stade Oceane to watch Paris Saint-Germain play Le Havre in an exhibition.
Now MLS is leaving the bubble, and attempting to do what no other major sports league has tried since terms like “social distancing” and “bubble” became part of our daily lexicon.
Playing a sporting event with fans is thought to be a bad idea, but someone has to try, so soccer will be the first.
