Major League Soccer announced today an updated format and schedule for the MLS is Back Tournament and that Nashville SC have been withdrawn from the competition. Chicago Fire FC will join Group B alongside the San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders FC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The Fire were previously scheduled to compete in Group A.
Since arriving in Orlando, nine players on Nashville have had confirmed positive test results for COVID-19. The decision was made in the best interest of the health of all players and staff participating in the tournament, and in line with protocols created in conjunction with local and national health authorities and infectious disease experts.
As a result of the withdrawal of FC Dallas and Nashville, MLS has reconfigured the groups into six groups, each consisting of four teams, as well as an update to the qualification for the Knockout Stage presented by Audi.
Group Alignment
Chicago Fire FC have moved from Group A to Group B in the MLS is Back Tournament to join San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders FC, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
Chicago and Nashville will remain in the Eastern Conference for the rest of the 2020 regular season.
The new match schedule for Chicago Fire FC in Group B is as follows:
July 14 - Chicago Fire FC vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 8:00 a.m. CT (ESPN/ESPN Deportes)
July 19 - Chicago Fire FC vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 7:00 p.m. CT (FS1/TUDN)
July 23 - Chicago Fire FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 8:00 a.m. CT (ESPN/ESPN Deportes)
The Fire’s “Drive-In Matchday, presented by Continental Tire” will be held for the match versus the San Jose Earthquakes on July 19 at 7:00 p.m. CT on the Waldron Parking Deck at Soldier Field. Parking lots will open at 5:30 p.m. CT.
Additionally, the schedule for one other Group B match has been updated:
July 19 - Seattle Sounders FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 9:30 p.m. CT (FS1/TUDN)
The revised Group A schedule has been created to replace those Group A matches which previously included the Fire and Nashville SC:
July 14 - Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami CF, 9:30 p.m. CT (TUDN)
July 14 - New York City FC vs. Orlando City SC, 7:00 p.m. CT (TUDN)
July 20 - Philadelphia Union vs. Orlando City SC, 7:00 p.m. CT (TUDN)
July 20 - Inter Miami CF vs. New York City FC, 8:00 a.m. CT (ESPN/ESPN Deportes)
Qualification for the Knockout Stage presented by Audi
After 16 consecutive days of group stage matches, the top two teams from each group along with the four best third-place finishers will move on to the knockout stage, which begins July 25.