MLS Season and CCL Suspended Due to COVID-19 Concerns

Major League Soccer and CONCACAF both made announcements today that play in both competitions would be suspended due to concerns about the current COVID-19 pandemic. Below are statements from both organizations.

Major League Soccer Statement:

Major League Soccer has suspended match play for 30 days, effective immediately, as the league continues to assess the impact of COVID-19 with its medical task force and public health officials.

At the appropriate time, the league and clubs will communicate plans for the continuation of the 2020 season and update the status of league events.

“Our clubs were united today in the decision to temporarily suspend our season – based on the advice and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), and other public health authorities, and in the best interest of our fans, players, officials and employees,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. “We’d like to thank our fans for their continued support during this challenging time.”

CONCACAF Statement:

At Concacaf the welfare of everyone associated with our matches and competitions is of paramount importance to us. We have been closely monitoring the public health situation as it has been evolving in the US and across the entire region. Given the developments last night, including new guidance issued by countries, cities and states, we have made the decision to suspend the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League with immediate effect. We are continuing to discuss arrangements for other upcoming Concacaf competitions and will make a further public statement in due course.

New York City FC was set to travel to Monterey to take on Tigres UNAL in the CONCACAF Champions League next Wednesday. Following last night’s game at Red Bull Arena, City was going to have a tall task ahead of them to overturn a 1-0 deficit down in Mexico. At the moment, CONCACAF has given no time table on when the competition may return or even if the competition will continue during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In MLS play, NYCFC was set to host FC Dallas on Saturday for their home opener of the 2020 season. MLS gave a time timetable of 30 days before the league may start up again. Don Garber and top officials around the league will continue to monitor the situation and determine when league play can continue.

CONCACAF and MLS are following the NBA, who suspended their season after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for the virus last night. Major conference tournaments in college basketball have been cancelled or postponed as well. The U.S Soccer Federation also announced that national team games, for both the mens’ and womens’ teams, would be cancelled in March and April. News is constantly rolling in about new cancellations and postponements around the world of sports.

For information about COVID-19, please refer to resources provided by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention or the World Health Organization. From all of us at Hudson River Blue, stay safe and healthy.

This is a developing story and updates will be provided if need be.