After a long wait, Major League Soccer will resume on July 8th with a new World Cup-style format tournament, which includes a group stage and a knockout stage. Here you will find all 24 teams (FC Dallas and Nashville SC withdrew) involved and their group rivals, with the most notable dates of the schedule and how the group standings will be.
The MLS is Back tournament will be played at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, with a day-long schedule that'll have teams divided into six groups. Each team will play three games over a 16-day period. The two teams with the best record of every group and the four best third-place finishers will qualify for the knockout stage.
All knockout stage games will settle after 90 minutes and tied matches will go straight to a penalty shootout, with no extra time. The winner of the MLS is Back tournament will qualify for the upcoming edition of the CONCACAF Champions League.
MLS is Back Schedule 2020
Stage
Date
Group Stage
July 8th to July 23rd
Round of 16
July 25th to July 28th
Quarterfinals
July 30th to August 1st
Semifinals
August 5th & 6th
Final
August 11
Nani of Orlando City SC (Getty).
MLS is Back Group Standings 2020
Group A (Eastern Conference)
#
Teams
Pts
1
Philadelphia Union
0
1
Orlando City
0
1
New York City FC
0
1
Inter Miami FC
0
Group B (Western Conference)
#
Teams
Pts
1
Chicago Fire FC
0
1
San Jose Earthquakes
0
1
Seattle Sounders
0
1
Vancouver Whitecaps
0
Group C (Eastern Conference)
#
Teams
Pts
1
New England Revolution
0
1
DC United
0
1
Toronto FC
0
1
Montreal Impact
0
Group D (Western Conference)
#
Teams
Pts
1
Real Salt Lake
0
1
Colorado Rapids
0
1
Sporting Kansas City
0
1
Minnesota United
0
Group E (Eastern Conference)
#
Teams
Pts
1
New York Red Bulls
0
1
Columbus Crew
0
1
FC Cincinnati
0
1
Atlanta United
0
Group F (Western Conference)
#
Teams
Pts
1
Houston Dynamo
0
1
Los Angeles Galaxy
0
1
Portland Timbers
0
1
Los Angeles FC
0
# QualifiedforPlayoffsRound of 16 # Third-placed teams
FC Dallas and Nashville SC withdrawal
Major League Soccer announced that FC Dallas and Nashville SC have withdrawnfrom the MLS is Back tournament. Players and staff members tested from both teams tested positive for Covid-19. The decision was made in the best interest of the health of all players and staff participating in the tournament, the league said.
Editor and journalist with more than 16 years of experience. Martín has been working at Bolavip for 5 years, covering different soccer leagues, such as the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1, Liga MX, MLS, and more.