Minnesota United FC On Extended Lockdown At Disney World As They Prep For MLS Tourney
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Major League Soccer is moving its teams to Florida to participate in the "MLS Is Back" tournament, which is scheduled to begin with a group stage on July 8.
Minnesota United FC will begin on July 12, facing Sporting Kansas City. They arrived in Orlando Sunday morning, and are now at the EPSN Wide World of Sports Complex inside Disney World -- for the foreseeable future.
Anyone inside must receive written permission to leave or they will be subject to enhanced testing and a 10-day quarantine. Eight security checkpoints are set up with closed-circuit television to monitor.
Forward Mason Toye says it's all in the effort to give players peace of mind while they focus on one thing.
"Of course it's to win at all costs, and to bring home a championship. That's my goal, that's everybody's goal, and then for me personally is just to help the team in any way, and hopefully that's by scoring goals and being dangerous, and just bringing energy," Toye said.
MLS officials announced that as of Sunday, 329 on-site COVID-19 tests have been done, with two players testing positive. They will be isolated until medically cleared. A total of 18 players and six staff members have tested positive since full-team training began on June 4.
Before traveling to Orlando, all players, coaches, officials, club personnel and league staff had to complete two tests 24 hours apart, and within 72 hours of travel. After arrival, they take another test and remain under quarantine until they get results.