Coronavirus: MLS plans to allow players back into its training facilities on March 27
Major League Soccer is planning to allow its players to train individually at team facilities beginning next week, the league announced on Friday afternoon.
The news that MLS’s training moratorium would be extended by a week comes a day after MLS said the coronavirus pandemic-induced suspension of its season would continue through at least May 10. MLS originally announced a 30-day hiatus on March 12, but pushed the target date back after the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended limiting gatherings of more than 50 people until May.
As such, teams would still not be permitted to run full training sessions when the moratorium lifts. Only players receiving physical therapy will be allowed into MLS facilities before then.
The top soccer competition in the United States and Canada, MLS was the first North American sports league after the NBA to temporarily close up shop because of the global health crisis. However, unlike the NBA and NHL, which suspended their seasons indefinitely and allowed their athletes to return to their offseason homes — including those in far-flung countries — MLS players have been asked to remain in the home market of their respective clubs.
No MLS player had tested positive for COVID-19 as of Friday afternoon, multiple sources told Yahoo Sports. Players continue to be paid through the league’s stoppage, the sources said.
More from Yahoo Sports:
