Major League Soccer announced today that it will suspend its 2020 season for 30 days due to concerns over COVID-19.
The suspension comes just days before FC Cincinnati's home opener at UC's Nippert Stadium.
Other leagues have taken a similar route. The National Basketball Association announced last night that it is suspending its season amid concerns about the pandemic.
Yesterday, MLS postponed two matches in San Jose and Seattle after elected officials there passed bans on events with more than 1,000 people in attendance.
FC Cincinnati, which gained admission to the league last year, was scheduled to play its home opener Saturday. Team representatives yesterday said that plans were still on for that game, though the team had added handwashing stations and changed locker room access protocols in response to fears of the spread of the virus.
"Our clubs were united today in the decision to temporarily suspend our season — based on the advice and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Public Health Agency of Canada, and other public health authorities, and in the best interests of our fans, players, officials and employees," a statement from MLS Commissioner Don Garber reads. "We'd like to thank our fans for their continued support during this challenging time."
