MLB, MLS Struggle to Contain Coronavirus Outbreaks, Threatening 2020 Seasons Again

Sports fan were just beginning to get a whiff of good news over the course of the last two weeks, after nearly 6 months of consternation regarding COVID-19.  The NFL appeared ready to continue with their regularly-scheduled season, the MLB players’ union seemed poised to agree on a way to get to playing, and MLS announced an Orlando-based tournament to catch up on the games that they’ve missed during this prolonged break.

Unfortunately, some of that progress appears to be at risk as new coronavirus cases begin to pop up around the world of American sports.

In case anyone needed a reminder that the labor dispute between Major League Baseball and the Players Association is just one thing that could erase the 2020 baseball season, the Phillies confirmed they are dealing with a coronavirus outbreak at their spring training facility in Clearwater, Fla.

And according to ESPN, the Blue Jays have also shut down their facility in nearby Dunedin, Fla., after a player recently showed symptoms of COVID-19 after spending time with players in Philadelphia’s minor league system.

The Phillies’ outbreak, first reported by NBC Sports Philadelphia, so far includes five players and three staff members who have tested positive for the virus.

Major League Soccer’s only real super club announced that they are also dealing with an outbreak.

Atlanta United today announced that a First Team player has tested positive for COVID-19. The positive result was confirmed today following mandatory club testing. No additional staff or players received a positive result.

In response to the positive test, Atlanta United medical staff have continued to work directly with local infectious disease specialists to treat the player, who was asymptomatic and has been observing isolation protocols since receiving the result.

MLS expansion side Inter Miami, who are new to the league in 2020, are also reporting at least one positive COVID-19 test as well.