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Socially isolated, cut off from their teammates. Worried about when they will play again. Concerned about their finances and the future of their sport.

The global union for soccer players has found its members are struggling with increased levels of anxiety and depression during the coronavirus pandemic that has shut down most leagues.

As clubs focus on keeping players fit during national lockdowns and faced with cost-cutting needs, FIFPRO is urging them not to neglect providing mental health provisions.

“If a club has to decide between having a second or third right back or a clinical psychologist within the medical team, you know which choice you are going to make, so it’s a kind of priority,” FIFPRO Chief Medical Officer Vincent Gouttebarge told the Associated Press on Monday. “Within the medical staff at any club, we know that the physical health of players is a main priority. But now we have enough objective data that show that mental health is as important as the physical health.

“We need to have an interdisciplinary medical team in place within clubs in order to take care of the mental health of the player.”

Reinforcing the need for clinical psychologists or psychiatrists to be made available to players is a survey led by FIFPRO of 1,602 professional players in Australia, Belgium, Botswana, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Ireland, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Scotland, South Africa, Switzerland and the United States.

It found 22% of female players and 13% of their male counterparts reported depression symptoms when asked in recent weeks, around twice as many as a separate survey with a smaller sample size of 307 players found in December and January.

The findings are only indicative of the mental health issues in soccer due to the small sample sizes and non-scientific polling.

“When you are not engaged with your family, with your teammates, then you have, of course, a decrease of social support and that is likely to lead to an higher rate of mental health symptoms,” Gouttebarge said. “The uncertainty about the end of competition and the uncertainty for the future in the football industry is obviously something that plays a role.”

Players have been away from their teams in most of the world for more than a month as governments try to contain the spread of the COVID-19 disease, although limited training has resumed in Germany.

Players will need several weeks to get match fit again before competitive games can resume. Europe’s major leagues are still trying to find a way of completing their seasons by extending beyond their usual endpoints around May and June.

“We have concerns on match congestion that might be related to resuming the competitions right now and trying to rush towards the end of the season,” Gouttebarge said. “The number of matches played within a few weeks and the very limited number of recovery days between matches.”

If UEFA’s optimistic planning allows the Champions League final on Aug. 29 — three months later than originally scheduled — next season could begin almost immediately in an attempt to recover lost time. With the 2020-21 season due to end for men with the rearranged European Championship, it could mean a lengthy continuous spell of competitive games.

“This season might be very long for many players, so this is a concern,” Gouttebarge said. “The international match calendar has been, of course, under scrutiny for quite a while. We need to find a good balance for players so that they can perform optimally without risk for musculoskeletal injury.”

Sufficient breaks will have to be provided to players while leagues try to fulfil television commitments, having lost several weeks without matches already.

“It’s of course, very important to provide players with sufficient time to have a proper recovery physically and mentally,” Gouttebarge said.

The post FIFPRO concerned about players’ mental health with soccer shut down appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

The Utah Royals are the latest NWSL club to put the league’s new allocation money to use, acquiring two star European stars, according to a report by the Salt Lake Tribune.

Utah added goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi and midfielder Dzsenifer Marozsan after their contracts at Olympique Lyonnais in France end in June.

Bouhaddi is the starting keeper for both her club team and a member of the French national team, clinching a combined 16 titles with her club and 149 caps with the national team. Marozsan is a staple of the German national team, winning Olympic gold in 2016 and serving as the team’s captain from 2016 to 2019.

MLS releases club masks to benefit charity

Major League Soccer is selling masks featuring team logo in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus.

The masks cost $15 apiece and are available with designs from all 26 clubs as well as the league logo. They are made from 100% cotton and include an insert for added protection.

All proceeds from the sale of the masks will be donated to Feeding America and Food Banks Canada, two charities the league has partnered with to fight food insecurity amid the pandemic. Additionally, mask producer Fanatics will donate one mask for every mask purchased.

Represent 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 club while helping those in need #MLSUnites

All @MLS proceeds will be donated to @FeedingAmerica & @foodbankscanada PLUS @FansAuthentic will donate 1 face covering for every face covering purchased!

SHOP | https://t.co/lmX7kIWODJ pic.twitter.com/cuM9X8WaX6

— mlsworks (@MLSWORKS) April 19, 2020

Wayne Rooney: MLS ‘takes advantage’ of U.S. players

European star and former D.C. United player Wayne Rooney joined his former D.C. United teammate Quincy Amarikwa on his podcast, offering criticism of the trade system in Major League Soccer.

During his first week with D.C. United, Rooney said he was surprised when a teammate was traded immediately  after finishing a training session. 

“I was like, ‘Why? What’s going on here? Where is he going? What’s going on?’” Rooney said. “I spoke to [D.C. United captain] Steve [Birnbaum] a lot. I was like, ‘Can he do that? Is it that easy to do? Is it that easy to actually move someone on?’ I know it works that way in basketball and in the NFL, but those players get paid millions and millions of pounds. So, they can afford to actually do that, but MLS players can’t.”

Rooney said he believes the league needs to ditch this system of trading in order to become even with other leagues in Europe.

Cannon gets married amid quarantine

Widespread quarantine didn’t keep USMNT and FC Dallas defender from tying the knot. The star held a small wedding ceremony this weekend, marrying his longtime girlfriend Kendall.

The pandemic forced the couple to postpone their large wedding and maintain quarantine guidelines throughout the ceremony, but Cannon shared that it was still a special day for their family.

“In these times of uncertainty, the one thing I’ve been the most certain about since the first day I’ve met you was you,” Cannon wrote in a post on Instagram. “You have been the biggest blessing that Christ has ever given me and yesterday, I was finally able to call you my wife. You have been my best friend, biggest supporter, strongest rock, and kindest soul. This pandemic has shifted so many things in our lives but God’s timing is nothing short of divine.”

In these times of uncertainty, the one thing I’ve been the most certain about since the first day I’ve met you was you. You have been the biggest blessing that Christ has ever given me, and now I am finally able to call you my wife!! HERE’S TO THE CANNONS!! pic.twitter.com/QWx3eMvCSc

— Reggie Cannon (@ReggieCannon15) April 19, 2020

Former USWNT star Osborne welcomes third daughter

Retired women’s soccer player Leslie Osborne announced the birth of her third daughter, Isabella, during the weekend. 

Osborne was a member of the U.S. women’s national team from 2004 to 2008, playing a major part in the team’s run in the 2007 World Cup. She is now a member of the FOX Sports broadcast team, most recently providing coverage of the 2019 World Cup.

Despite restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, Osborne said the delivery of her daughter went smoothly and the whole family is healthy and happy.

Added another future @USWNT baller to the squad yesterday! Meet Isabella Milan Lewis Thanks for all the love and prayers during this scary time. We are both healthy and happy pic.twitter.com/Sb3a46Jtxf

— Leslie Osborne (@LeslieOsborne12) April 19, 2020

The post Utah Royals acquire European stars Sarah Bouhaddi, Dzsenifer Marozsan appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic used his wealth and a light-hearted death threat to scold fellow LA Galaxy players during his time in MLS, according to his former team-mate Joao Pedro. Milan striker Ibrahimovic spent two years with the Galaxy and broke their single-season scoring record when he notched 30 times in the 2019 regular season. He helped […]

The post I have 300m in the bank and an island! – Ibrahimovic´s team-mate details Galaxy rant appeared first on Soccer News.

The post I have 300m in the bank and an island! – Ibrahimovic´s team-mate details Galaxy rant appeared first on Soccer News.

Sporting Kansas City midfielder Wan Kuzain is more than your average gamer. He’s got street cred.

That’s because when he was 17, Kuzain accepted a challenge from noted video game enthusiast (and former NFL player) Chad Johnson — and beat him.

The former Pro Bowler known as Ochocinco tweeted afterward that the “losing experience was worse than the time I lost my virginity” and added a crying emoji.

So it’s no surprise that Kuzain will be Sporting’s representative in a virtual MLS tournament starting Sunday. A number of the league’s top players, including Chicharito and Nani, will participate in the nationally televised event.

It goes like this: Two players from opposing teams will face off in EA Sports’ FIFA 2020 game. Then the league’s eMLS players will compete in a second leg. The losing team is eliminated. Fox Sports soccer commentators will call the action over the five-week event.

Other sports have also moved to virtual competition during the coronavirus pandemic, notably NASCAR. Like the already established eMLS competition, NASCAR had an iRacing Series for gamers. Drivers joined when COVID-19 suspended real races.

Individual athletes, including Meyers Leonard of the Miami Heat and Women’s World Cup winner Allie Long, are also playing regularly on Twitch, a live streaming platform. The Phoenix Suns played out the season after the season was suspended on NBA 2K20 on Twitch.

One of the highlights Sunday will be a virtual ‘El Trafico’ rivalry match, pitting LA Galaxy striker Javier Hernandez, better known as Chicharito, against LAFC forward Adama Diomande.

MLS Works and FOX Sports will make a donation on behalf of the winning team to Feeding America after each episode. Donations will also be made to Food Banks Canada.

“You’ll see in some instances we’ve got some real gamers among our professional players. They’re going to show up to win. So while it is a great cause, we’re also out to entertain. I think you’ll see a real competitive edge come through as well, ” said Camilo Durana, the league’s senior vice president of properties and events.

Now 21, Kuzain said he’s been playing FIFA since the 2012 edition.

Kuzain was part of Sporting’s academy team before he was signed to the team’s USL affiliate, the Swope Park Rangers.

One day around that time he noticed that Chad Johnson was in the Kansas City area. Johnson was known at the time for dropping in on random gamers to play FIFA, so Kuzain — who had a picture of himself playing soccer on his Twitter profile — tweeted at him. The next thing he knew, Johnson was at his door.

“We played a couple of games. I’d say three or four,” Kuzain said. “He was really good. He was definitely worth all the tweets and commotion that he’s caused within the FIFA community.”

Afterward, Kuzain showed Johnson around a bit, taking him to the local indoor soccer complex.

“Like it’s crazy how nice he is and how he just can fit so many people that he doesn’t know into his schedule like that. So I’m really thankful for that experience,” Kuzain said. “And he did send a nice little tweet, and that was our promise, if I beat him he would shout me out.”

Kuzain signed with Kansas City’s first team as a Homegrown Player in 2018. He appeared in Sporting II’s first game before the season was suspended because of the coronavirus.

Asked if he was the best gamer among his Kansas City teammates, Kuzain didn’t mince words.

“It might hurt some feelings,” he said. “but I would say yeah, for sure.”

The post MLS kicks off 5-week video game tournament to fill void appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

Major League Soccer is pushing back restarting the season to at least June 8 and says it is also discussing possible salary cuts with the players’ union.

Teams had played two matches before the season was suspended on March 12 because of the coronavirus pandemic and the league had been looking at possibly resuming play in mid-May. The league would still like to play a full season.

MLS also said it is exploring possible “changes to player compensation” because of the financial hit the league and teams are facing.

“We are seeking to work collaboratively with the MLSPA to find a solution that provides a safety net for all players, opportunity to earn full salary in the scenario where all matches are played with fans, and in particular provides protection for the players at the lower end of the salary scale,” the league said in a statement Friday.

The Major League Soccer Players’ Association did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Possible salary cuts of as much as 50% for some players were first reported by ESPN, which cited sources. But those cuts would only kick in if games or the season were canceled.

A person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that players would not be furloughed. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the information is not being made public.

MLS and the players’ union agreed to terms of a new contract in early February, but it had not been ratified when the season was put on hold.

The league has long maintained that it prefers to play a full season. Possible scenarios include extending play into December and canceling non-league matches like the Leagues Cup between MLS and Liga MX teams. Games could also be played without fans in attendance.

The post MLS delays restart until June 8, discusses player salary cuts appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

MLS has launched two new sections of its website devoted to using soccer stars to help entertain kids and aid those who want to try out soccer training during the coronavirus pandemic.

As parents try to find ways to engage with children blocked from attending school or gathering groups to play, MLS is highlighting soccer related videos and games for kids on its website.  

Almost bedtime.

Here’s @tealbunb reading “Snow” by Roy McKie and P.D. Eastman (published by @penguinrandom).#SaveWithStories // #MLSUnites // #NERevs pic.twitter.com/gPGJ3V1uPm

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) April 15, 2020

New England Revolution’s Teal Bunbury and Jeff Attinella read books to kids on video, while clubs are offering digital puzzles and coloring pages.

The league also launched “Train with MLS,” which features hundreds of training videos from MLS clubs for coaches, parents and recreational players of all ages and abilities. Check out a few examples below:

Montreal Impact reports first case of coronavirus in MLS club

The Montreal Impact announced Wednesday the first reported case of a club employee contracting COVID-19. The employee suffered mild symptoms for several days, has been quarantined and is nearing a full recovery.

There have been no other reports of coronavirus in the club, and the staff has been following social distancing protocol since the suspension of MLS play and training last month.

The Impact stated in a news release the club has communicated with government agencies and is following coronavirus pandemic best practices to help slow the spread of the disease.

Throwback: Brian Dunseth nets winner in Real Salt Lake’s first victory

Pro Soccer USA writer Julian Cardillo spoke with former U.S. men’s national team and Real Salt Lake star Brian Dunseth about his first goal for the club — a game-winning header in the final minutes of the team’s home opener to clinch the first win for Real Salt Lake.

The goal went down as one of the most celebrated in Dunseth’s career, and it’s one that he looks back on fondly to this day. Dunseth told the story of the match and the minutes leading up to the goal, along with the aftermath of the win — including a torn labrum from his Superman-like leap into the air.

“I always know the date is coming up, around this time of year, because my producer, Kenny Neal, and the team that calls Salt Lake games on broadcast will do a call back to the 2005 home opener date,” Dunseth said in a phone interview. “It’s still crazy. But the older I get, the more I feel it was just yesterday that we were all part of it. It’s wild to wrap my head around.”

Read the full story here.

The post Life without soccer: MLS offers online games for kids, training videos for all ages appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

U.S. Soccer announced it is shutting down all boys and girls Development Academy programs effective immediately.

In response, Major League Soccer is launching a new competition platform to provide matches for MLS academy teams and other youth development clubs that previously participated in the U.S. Soccer program.

The spread of the coronavirus pandemic previously led to the suspension of the 2020 Development Academy season. The 2020-21 season was slated to start in September.

This is the first major change made under new U.S. Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone and new federation CEO Will Wilson, who were appointed in March. In a joint statement from Parlow Cone, Wilson and U.S. Soccer sporting director Earnie Stewart, the federation cited budgetary restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic as the immediate reason for the decision to shutter the DA.

However, Soccer America documented the problems with the academy system, including universal regulations that didn’t work well for various communities across the country.

“This was an incredibly difficult decision to make, but the extraordinary circumstances around the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in a financial situation that does not allow for the continuation of the Development Academy program into the future,”  the statement read. “We know that suddenly discontinuing a program that has been with U.S. Soccer for many years is shocking, but these unprecedented times required acting now.”

In the absence of the DA, the federation said it will increase its efforts in coaching education and talent identification across the country.

The new MLS platform will look to fill the void created by the cancellation of the former U.S. Soccer program. The new league will include regular season matches and both regional and international tournaments against foreign youth clubs. 

Additionally, MLS is evaluating expanding this league to provide opportunities for girls.

“Participating in high quality, competitive matches on a consistent basis is essential to the development of our young players,” vice president and technical director of MLS player development Fred Lipka said. “Launching this new competition will allow us to consistently challenge players, staffs and teams, optimizing the potential of every player on the field.”

The U.S. Soccer Development Academy was founded in 2007 to create a foundation for youth development in collaboration with Major League Soccer. The academy programs for every team in MLS — including the league’s three clubs in Canada — were created in collaboration with U.S. Soccer and included in the boys’ DA system.

The U.S. Development Academy boys programs have produced a range of U.S. and MLS stars, such as Jordan Morris, Paul Arriola, DeAndre Yedlin and Gyasi Zardes.

U.S. Soccer has not collaborated with NWSL on women’s player development, with the league primarily sourcing its players from colleges and international teams. However, the federation did establish a girls’ program in 2017. The girls DA program collaborated with clubs such as Colorado Rush and Cincinnati United Premier Soccer Club, which had previously helped to develop stars such as Lindsey Horan and Rose Lavelle.

However, several girls clubs left the system in recent months for the Elite Clubs National League, which includes top programs across the country such as Real Colorado, which produced Mallory Pugh.

The post U.S. Soccer shuts down Development Academy; MLS launches new youth competition appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

Dr. Anthony Fauci says professional sports can’t return this summer with fans in the stands.

In an interview with Snapchat’s Peter Hamby this week, Fauci said the only way sports can return is if teams play matches without fans and confine players to hotels to prevent contamination.

“There’s a way of doing that,” said Fauci, a top infectious disease expert who is on the White House Coronavirus Task Force. “Nobody comes to the stadium. Put [the players] in big hotels, wherever you want to play, keep them very well surveilled. … Have them tested every single week and make sure they don’t wind up infecting each other or their family, and just let them play the season out.”

Fauci specifically addressed NFL and MLB seasons being played in isolation, saying he believes there would be enough interest from fans of the two sports to watch games remotely.

MLS announced Tuesday it is “extremely unlikely” the league to return in mid-May as previously planned. Commissioner Don Garber told ESPN’s Taylor Twellman the league is considering playing matches without fans and other options to play as many matches as possible.

LAFC coach Bob Bradley shares MLS memories  

As the pandemic forces him to take a pause after more than three decades as a manager, LAFC coach Bob Bradley reflected on his history as a coach in the NCAA, MLS and abroad.

ProSoccerUSA writer Glenn Crooks took a look at some of Bradley’s best memories — including coaching at Princeton, winning MLS Cups and managing big personalities. He also dove into his relationship with his son, U.S. Soccer captain Michael Bradley, and his well-known fiery personality on the sidelines.

“I am who I am,” Bradley said. “I always hear the bit about intense but I’m not sure it’s the right word. I try to be real – I try to be honest. Nothing I ever do is scripted – I don’t play act.”

Read the full article here.

England women’s national team makes joint donation to NHS

The England women’s national team joined players across the country offering support for the National Health Service through the Players Together initiative this week.

The squad announced Tuesday every player on the roster will make a donation to the fund, which works with over 150 NHS charities. The Lionesses join many Premier League players in their support of NHS and the Players Together movement. 

#PlayersTogether pic.twitter.com/nkyyh1delS

— Steph Houghton MBE (@stephhoughton2) April 14, 2020

LAFC owner Will Ferrell joins Jordan Harvey’s podcast

LAFC defender Jordan Harvey kicked off his new podcast with LAFC executive vice president Larry Freedman with a special guest — comedian and club co-owner Will Ferrell.

During the hour-long interview, Ferrell shared how he became a soccer fan and how an elementary school drop-off helped him forge a friendship with LAFC majority owner Larry Berg, marking the start of his relationship with the club.

“When I saw the model of the stadium, where it was going to be and what they were planning on doing I was like, ‘Oh, this is gonna kill,” Ferrell said. “This is gonna be a slam dunk.'”

Introducing Shootin' The Shot with @JordanCHarvey and #LAFC EVP and Chief Business Officer, Larry Freedman.

Take a sneak peek at tomorrow's episode with special guest and LAFC Owner, Will Ferrell. pic.twitter.com/ZHd7QTnMaC

— LAFC (@LAFC) April 14, 2020

The post Dr. Anthony Fauci: Only way sports can return this summer is without fans appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

“Our goal remains to play as many games as possible, and while we currently have enough dates to play the entire season, we recognize at this time that it may become difficult to do so,” the statement read. “We continue to learn more every day from the medical experts, and we expect to have additional details in the coming weeks regarding when we can return to play. As we have throughout this process, we will update our fans with every decision, and we thank them for their support and understanding during this extremely challenging time.”

MLS Statement on Return to Play pic.twitter.com/BKuFw9Mb17

— MLS Communications (@MLS_PR) April 14, 2020

When the league does resume, Garber told Twellman it’s likely matches will initially be played without fans in the stands. These games would be called “MLS Studio” games and would still offer broadcast options for fans to watch from home.

Garber added the MLS training moratorium — which currently ends on April 24 — will be extended for “at least a couple weeks.”

The commissioner said the league has not formally discussed a reduction in player salaries; however, he said that will be expected if the suspension continues. 

The commissioner noted he is watching the progress of leagues in Europe to gain insight into how to proceed with a return to training or matches.

“Our hope is to still continue to do that but that decision can’t be made sitting here today,” Garber said. “The plan is to play as many games of the 34 game season as possible.”

ICYMI @thesoccerdon had news yesterday about what @MLS plans on doing with its season as of now.
Full interview on #BanterTT Wednesday. https://t.co/KCqZZy2NLUpic.twitter.com/A2RUlzJSS8

— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) April 14, 2020

FIFA vice president says international soccer unlikely to return until 2021

A FIFA vice president overseeing the organizing body’s coronavirus task force said he believes most international soccer will not resume until 2021.

Concacaf president Victor Montagliani has been an active part of the FIFA group working to respond to the pandemic, which has now shut down most of the soccer world for over a month. Montagliani said he believes travel restrictions will limit the ability of countries to organize international matches. He added that widespread club play will need to resume before international play returns.

Due to this, Montiagliani said he believes national team matches could be canceled through November.

“I personally think that might be a bit of a challenge, not so much because of just the health issues around the world and the various degrees of preparedness, but also committing to international travel as soon as we come back,” Montagliani said in an interview with The Associated Press. “I think that domestic football is a priority. September is still in the books, but I would garner to say that I’m not sure it’s there on solid ground the way things are trending right now.”

University of Cincinnati cuts soccer program due to budget concerns

The University of Cincinnati announced it will discontinue its men’s soccer program immediately. Athletic director John Cunningham cited budgetary concerns amid the coronavirus pandemic as the reasoning behind the “difficult decision” to remove the program.

The NCAA canceled its championship season for winter and spring sports last month, including March Madness, one of the main streams of revenue for successful basketball schools such as Cincinnati. Currently, all training and recruiting is suspended for all NCAA programs with campuses across the country shut down and students attending classes online.

Cunningham added that the university will honor all scholarships for players on the current men’s soccer roster. Additionally, any student athletes looking to transfer will be released immediately.

“Our men’s soccer student-athletes have been outstanding representatives of the University in the classroom and on the field,” Cunningham said. “They may not fully understand this decision, but I want them to know they were truly and conscientiously considered. I am most sincerely grateful to everyone who has supported the men’s soccer program at the University of Cincinnati… Your legacy at UC will not be forgotten and your accomplishments will continue to be recognized.

Fans in Bundesliga pay for cardboard cut-outs in stadium

The German Bundesliga remains uncertain of when the league will return to play, but fans of Borussia Mönchengladbach are ready whenever their team returns.

When league play resumes, it’s likely that early matches will be played in empty stadiums. So supporters of the club have paid for life-sized cutouts of themselves to be placed in their seats to create a sense of a packed crowd.

The cutouts won’t be able to cheer or sing along throughout the games, but fans are doing their part to show support even if they can’t enter the stadium on match day.

Borussia Monchengladbach fans have paid to have cardboard cut-outs of themselves put in their stadium…

…so if the Bundesliga resumes behind closed doors, Gladbach will still have a crowd pic.twitter.com/BbmU5qz1he

— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 14, 2020

The post MLS says it will not resume play in mid-May as planned, will likely restart without fans appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

Chicharito has yet to make his mark in the rivalry between his Los Angeles Galaxy team and LAFC, but the star will get his first shot at a virtual El Tráfico match this weekend.

The star will represent the Galaxy in the eMLS Tournament Special, an online PlayStation FIFA20 tournament designed to entertain fans during the suspension of the MLS season.

Chicharito will face off against LAFC striker Adama Diomande Sunday, with the teams’ two professional eMLS competitors — Martin ‘RemiMartinn’ Oregel and Giuseppe ‘GODFATHER’ Guastella — playing afterward. The striker is one of many MLS players participating in the tournament, joining Nani, Tyler Miller and Paul Arriola.

The tournament be broadcast starting Sunday on FS1, with commentary provided by Fox Sports anchors Stu Holden, Rachel Bonnetta, Rodolfo Landeros and Mike LaBelle.

Matches will feature two legs — MLS players will face off in the first and then the professional competitors will take over for the second. The team with the highest aggregate score between the two legs will move on to the next round. All competition will take place remotely, with competitors playing from their respective homes.

Sixteen teams will take part in the tournament — the Chicago Fire, FC Cincinnati, LAFC, LA Galaxy, Minnesota United, Sporting Kansas City, D.C. United, New England Revolution, New York Red Bulls,  NYCFC, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, Vancouver Whitecaps, Toronto FC, Atlanta United and Orlando City SC.

The first rounds will pit rivals against each other, including Orlando City vs. Atlanta United, Houston vs. Dallas and New York Red Bulls vs. NYCFC. 

The tournament will air on five consecutive Sundays, with a final championship match on May 17. After each episode airs, MLS Works and Fox Sports will make a donation on behalf of the winning club to Feeding America and Food Banks Canada.

“The eMLS Tournament Special represents the spirit of MLS Unites by entertaining fans and giving back to our communities,” said Camilo Durana, MLS senior vice president of properties and events. “We’re thrilled many of the league’s top players are joining our eMLS participants to compete and also provide benefit for those on the front lines. We are also thankful to Fox Sports and all of our partners for their collaboration on the innovative series that will be both fun to watch and make a difference.”

Here is a look at the full schedule for the tournament:

The post LA Galaxy star Chicharito to be featured in MLS FIFA20 tournament appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.