Real Salt Lake players will now get to practice as a team.
Major League Soccer on Thursday lifted the restrictions on full team training, paving the way for players to work toward match fitness as the tournament in Orlando later this month looms. Teams may now begin submitting plans to the league for their returns.
“Individual club plans must be reviewed and approved by the club’s medical staff and local infectious disease expert prior to submission to MLS for review,” the league said in a statement.
The league also removed the “voluntary” tag from training sessions. Players were previously allowed to opt to of individual and small group sessions.
“Full team training will be mandatory for all players as teams take the next step toward a return to match play,” the league said.
Team plans to return to full training must first be approved by team doctors and local health and government policies before being submitted to the league. Furthermore, players take a physical, must be tested for COVID-19 twice — 24 hours apart, 72 hours before the start of training — and also take an antibody test.
Players can only train if the two tests are negative and they have competed their physicals and antibody tests. Players, coaches and select staff will only be allowed to attend training sessions if tests taken every other day come back negative.
MONARCHS TO RETURN JULY 11
The Real Monarchs are closer to their return to play after both the National Women’s Soccer League and Major League Soccer have recently announced their returns.
The United Soccer League Championship’s board of governors on Thursday voted in favor of a return to play with a provisional date of July 11. The vast majority of the league had played only one game before the season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other than the provisional date, no other details were announced. Those are still being ironed out, the league said in a statement.
"While additional information on competition format, scheduling, broadcast and other important details will be made available in the coming weeks, it’s important to note that the league’s return to play will be conducted in strict alignment with all local and state public health guidelines,” the league said.
— Alex Vejar
Follow @AlexVReporting