New York sports teams permitted to resume training

Since MLS announced that the season would be temporarily suspended due to the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic a little over two months ago, there’s been little in the way of news pertaining to when we can get the ball rolling again (no pun intended).

As of today (May 24), that has officially changed. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has said that, effective immediately, New York sports teams have the green light to resume in-state training camps. This announcement comes off the heels of Cuomo stating his desire to have sports return to the Big Apple this past Monday.

“Starting today, all the New York professional sports leagues will be able to begin training camps,” Cuomo said in his press conference at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh. “I believe sports that can come back without having people in the stadium, without having people in the arena, do it! Do it! Work out the economics if you can. We want you up. We want people to be able to watch sports to the extent people are still staying home. It gives people something to do. It’s a return to normalcy. So we are working and encouraging all sports teams to start their training camps as soon as possible, and we’ll work with them to make sure that can happen.”

The fact that Cuomo has been enthusiastic about New York sports teams not just getting back into the swing of things in training, but potentially playing games in empty arenas bodes well for New York City FC, who have had a huge advantage playing at their current home ground of Yankee Stadium.

These new regulations allow NYCFC to join 20 other MLS clubs who have also resumed training sessions. As of right now, the only five clubs not training are the Chicago Fire, D.C. United, New England Revolution, San Jose Earthquakes, and the New York Red Bulls. Let’s hope they can get back at it so we can potentially get this season rolling again.