With Major League Soccer officially announcing the resumption of the 2020 season today, we are here to explain all you need to know about the #MLSisBack Tournament.
Taking place in our beloved Orlando at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World, the tournament is a welcome relief for soccer fans everywhere amid COVID-19.
With the tournament being hosted in Orlando City SC‘s backyard, local pride is at stake in this exciting one-of-a-kind opportunity.
Playing on the Disney fields during our time in USL, Orlando City SC will be more used to the surroundings than any other team.
#MLSIsBack 🇺🇸⚽🇨🇦 | Here’s everything you need to know about the now confirmed @MLS Tournament at @ESPNWWOS this summer.
Let’s go, @OrlandoCitySC. Home pride at stake. 😬
💜🦁💛#OCTwitter #OrlandoCity #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/vPG1yLB562
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) June 10, 2020
When is the #MLSisBack Tournament taking place?
The #MLSisBack Tournament is taking place over a 35-day period from Wednesday, July 8 to Tuesday, August 11, 2020.
The tournament is being held under strict safety measures at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
Are all Major League Soccer clubs participating?
Yes, each and every one of the 26 active franchises in MLS are taking part in the tournament that will exclusively take place in Orlando.
Will supporters be able to attend the #MLSisBack Tournament?
Unfortunately not. All games will take place behind closed doors.
However, Orlando City SC CEO Alex Leitão said he’s “hopeful that they’ll have at least some fans in attendance” when the regular season resumes in home markets after this tournament.
How many games will take place?
In total, there will be 54 games played at the summer #MLSisBack Tournament across 26 individual gamedays.
Thirty-nine of these will be group stage games with 15 in the knockout stage.
Teams will play a minimum of three matches and a maximum of seven depending on their fortunes.
Where will the clubs be staying?
All Orlando City SC players and players from other clubs will stay on-site at Walt Disney World’s Swan and Dolphin Resort for the duration of their stay in the tournament.
What’s at stake in the #MLSisBack Tournament?
Group stage results will count towards the regular season standings.
Elsewhere, the winning club will earn a spot in the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League plus $1.1 million in prize money.
What is the format of the #MLSisBack Tournament?
The #MLSisBack Tournament will be comprised of a group stage that precedes knockout rounds. This is much like the format of the FIFA World Cup.
- 24 June: Teams begin arriving in Florida
- 8 July: #MLSisBack Tournament group stage begins
- 25 – 28 July: Round-of-16
- 30 July – 1 August: Quarter-Finals
- 5 – 6 August: Semi-Finals
- 11 August: #MLSisBack Tournament Final
When and how are groups determined?
During a live draw that took place at 3:30pm (US ET) / 8:30pm (UK) on Wednesday, June 11, teams were allocated into six separate groups.
Three belong to the Eastern Conference and three belong to the Western Conference.
Given the number of clubs involved (26), Group A comprises six teams with Groups B to F comprising four teams each.
Are Orlando City SC seeded as tournament hosts?
Yes, as the host city club, Orlando City SC are the top seed in Group A which is the six-team group.
As for Groups B to F, the remaining seeds consist of the four semi-finalists from the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs plus Real Salt Lake – the team with the next highest points total in the Western Conference from 2019.
- Orlando City SC
- Atlanta United
- Los Angeles FC
- Seattle Sounders
- Toronto FC
- Real Salt Lake
How do clubs qualify from the group stage?
The top three teams in Group A will advance to the knockout stage. The top two finishers in Groups B to F will also qualify.
Results of the third-placed teams of Groups B to F, and the fourth-placed team of Group A, will be compared against each other. The top three teams of this ranking will advance to the Round-of-16.
The tiebreakers for determining the three best third-placed finishers are: (1) goal difference, (2) goals scored and (3) fewest disciplinary points.
This will culminate with the #MLSisBack Tournament Final on Tuesday, August 11.
How many games will there be a day?
Group play begins on Wednesday, July 8 with multiple matches taking place on a daily basis.
What times will games be played?
For the group stage, games will be played at the following times.
- 9:00am (US ET) / 2:00pm (UK)
- 8:00pm (US ET) / 1:00am (UK)
- 10:30pm (US ET) / 3:30am (UK)
Confused by the weird kick-off times? It’s all to do with the famous Central Florida heat and humidity, especially in summertime.
With local temperatures averaging 28°C in July, playing early and late is preferable over the sweltering midday and afternoon.
How many players are allowed on a matchday roster?
Each team will be able to name a matchday roster featuring up to 23 players.
Will Video Review be in effect?
Yes, PRO Referees will be able to consult Video Review throughout the duration of the tournament.
How many substitutions will be allowed per game?
Each MLS team will be allowed an increased number of five substitutions per game.
Will games be televised?
All 54 tournament matches will be televised across MLS partner networks worldwide.
In late June and early July, both Sky Sports and FreeSports revealed their broadcasting schedule with all three of Orlando City SC Group A games being televised in the UK.
What about the 2020 regular season?
MLS plans to continue its regular season with a revised schedule in home markets after the tournament, followed by the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.