MLS extends training moratorium through March 27

Major League Soccer on Friday extended its training moratorium for all clubs through, and including, March 27. Players are expected to remain in their local markets and exercise safe social distancing measures. 

Read the statement below:

Major League Soccer has extended the team training moratorium through, and including, Friday, March 27. During this time, MLS players are expected to remain in each club’s respective market and have been advised to exercise safe social distancing measures. 

At this time, team training facilities may only be accessed for physical therapy purposes at the direction of club medical staff to ensure adherence to safety protocols.

MLS remains in close contact with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) on this continually evolving situation and will provide further updates as they become available.

The statement follows an announcement by MLS on Thursday that suspension of the league would be extended in accordance with recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The target return date is May 10.

UPDATE, March 15 (4:45 pm ET): Major League Soccer has extended the team training moratorium through, and including, Friday, March 20. During this time, MLS players are expected to remain in each club’s respective market, and have been advised to exercise safe social distancing measures.

MLS is working with public health authorities, in collaboration with the MLS clubs, the MLS Players Association, and in consultation with the other North American professional sports leagues to finalize a protocol that would permit players to access training facilities for rehab or individual training under safe conditions during the team training moratorium. 

MLS remains in close contact with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) on this continually evolving situation and will provide further updates as they become available.

MLS instituted a team training moratorium for all of its clubs beginning on Friday, March 13 and running through Sunday, March 15 as the league continues to review training protocols to ensure a safe environment for players and staff in the wake of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

The training moratorium applies to first-team trainings, reserve teams and academies.

The communication of the moratorium to clubs came on the same day that MLS suspended the 2020 season for a period of 30 days.

During the training moratorium, MLS players are expected to remain in each club’s respective market and they are permitted to work out independently should they voluntarily choose to do so.

In addition to the MLS regular season, several soccer competitions and tournaments have been postponed, including Concacaf (Olympic qualifying and Champions League) and U.S. national team events, USL Championship, Generation adidas Cup for academies and eMLS Cup.