FC Dallas has pulled out of the MLS is Back Tournament, which is set to begin Wednesday. Since arriving in Orlando for the tournament last week, ten players and a coach have tested positive for COVID-19. Previously, the team’s first match against Vancouver had been postponed. Monday also brought news that reigning MLS MVP, LAFC forward Carlos Vela, will not participate in the tournament citing health risks.
Around The Leagues:
— MLB and MLBPA announced its first set of test results from the intake screening process as players returned to training camp. The league conducted 3,185 tests with a 1.2% positive rate, with 31 players and seven staff members testing positive. Nineteen clubs had at least one positive.
— While the low positive rate was encouraging, the Washington Nationals – who had two players test positive – Houston Astros, Oakland Athletics, and Los Angeles Angels canceled or delayed workouts as they waited for their results to return. The testing frustrations could add to a growing list of players who have dropped out of this season.
— The NHL has administered more than 2,900 tests – including more than 1,400 last week – to a group of 396 players that had returned to their practice facilities as of yesterday. Twenty-three of the tests have returned positive. The league is also aware of 12 players outside phase two protocol who have tested positive.
— The NBA announced 25 of 341 players tested were positive last week. The Milwaukee Bucks and Sacramento Kings have shut down their practice facilities, joining the Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Clippers, and Brooklyn Nets who have done the same following test results.
— As the WNBA gears up to play its season, the league said out of 137 players tested last week, seven tested positive and will remain in self-isolation until cleared by a physician. Eleven of 12 teams arrived at the IMG Academy in Florida on Monday, with the Indiana Fever delaying their arrival by five days.
