Beginning on June 30, MLS is providing an update every other day with aggregated COVID-19 testing results for all members of the MLS is Back Tournament delegation staying at the host hotel in Florida.
July 2
During the period from July 1-2, 855 players, coaches, referees, club staff, league staff and other individuals have been tested for COVID-19. Of that group, six individuals tested positive, four of whom were players.
July 1
Major League Soccer said in a statement that six FC Dallas players have tested positive for COVID-19 since arriving at the host hotel for the MLS is Back Tournament in Florida on June 27. The players were immediately moved to an isolation area and the rest of the FC Dallas delegation is quarantining in their hotel rooms pending the results of additional COVID-19 testing. No other members of the MLS delegation have tested positive and no other clubs have been in contact with the Dallas delegation.
Read the full statements from MLS and FC Dallas below.
Major League Soccer today confirmed that six FC Dallas players have tested positive for COVID-19. Two of those six players tested positive immediately upon arrival at the host hotel in Florida for the MLS is Back Tournament on June 27, and the additional four players tested positive within the last two days. Upon receipt of the positive COVID-19 test, all six players immediately participated in a clinical assessment by a healthcare provider and were moved to the isolation area of the hotel. While in isolation, the individuals are in daily communication with and receive remote care from a healthcare provider, including monitoring of symptoms and regular follow-up testing. In addition, the rest of the FC Dallas delegation is following the MLS health and safety protocols and quarantining in their hotel rooms pending the results of additional COVID-19 testing.
No other members of the MLS delegation at the host hotel have tested positive, and no other club has been in contact with the FC Dallas delegation since they arrived in Florida. The League’s protocols include regular screening, testing, social distancing, PPE and a mandatory quarantine for all individuals upon arrival at the hotel until they have a negative test. Thus far, 392 people have been tested with six positives. MLS will continue to report test numbers on a regular basis.
FC Dallas statement:
FC Dallas players, coaches and staff departed for the MLS is Back tournament in Orlando, FL on June 27. Every member of the FC Dallas traveling party had tested negative for COVID-19 through an MLS-mandated testing service prior to the club’s departure on Saturday morning.
Upon arriving in Orlando for the MLS is Back tournament, FC Dallas had two players test positive for COVID-19. The affected players were immediately isolated from their teammates, the entire FC Dallas delegation, other MLS clubs and staff.
As league testing continued, four more players tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of FC Dallas players who tested positive while in Orlando to six.
In consultation with MLS medical officials, FC Dallas took proactive steps to isolate the newly-affected players as well as all FC Dallas players and staff in Orlando out of an abundance of caution. All members of the club delegation are following MLS health and safety protocols and will remain quarantined in their hotel rooms pending the results of further COVID-19 testing.
We continue to learn more information daily from medical experts and are in constant communication with them.
We will provide relevant updates as they become available. FC Dallas will have no further comment at this time.
June 30
Between June 29-30, a total of 392 players, coaches, referees, club staff and league staff were tested for COVID-19. Of that group, four individuals tested positive, all of whom were players.
June 28
As of June 28, a total of 329 players, coaches, referees, club staff and league staff at the host hotel in Orlando were tested for COVID-19. Two tested positive, both of whom were players who had just arrived.
IN-MARKET FULL TEAM TRAINING TESTING: As of June 28, 18 MLS players and six club staff received positive Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests prior to travel to Orlando for the MLS is Back Tournament. A total of 668 players were tested since early June.
In connection with the resumption of full team training on June 4, MLS clubs began comprehensive testing of MLS players and technical staff that consisted of:
- Completion of two PCR tests 24 hours apart within approximately 72 hours prior to the start of training; and
- Continued PCR testing every other day once training began.
Twenty-five of the 26 MLS clubs were able to commence full team training prior to traveling to Orlando for the MLS is Back Tournament, and all of the 25 clubs conducted testing pursuant to this protocol.
Prior to traveling to Orlando, all players, coaches, referees, club personnel and league staff are required to complete an additional two PCR tests 24 hours apart and within approximately 72 hours of travel. Upon arrival in Florida, all individuals are required to immediately take another PCR test and are quarantined until they receive the results of that test.
Positive Test Protocol
Any individual who tests positive for COVID-19 while in Orlando will participate in a clinical assessment by a healthcare provider and moved to the isolation area of the hotel until he or she receives medical clearance.
While in isolation, MLS players and other staff will be in daily communication with and receive remote care from a healthcare provider, including monitoring of symptoms, and regular follow-up testing.
MLS is working in conjunction with the Florida Department of Health in Orange County and Osceola County, to identify any close contacts. Close contacts will also receive follow-up PCR testing and may be restricted from participating in group meals and recreational activities until cleared.
