Major League Soccer announced an updated format and schedule for the MLS is Back Tournament this week after FC Dallas and Nashville SC were withdrawn from the competition due to a number of positive test results for COVID-19.
As a result of the withdrawal of 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 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 (all times ET):
- July 14: Chicago Fire FC vs. Seattle Sounders, 9 am (ESPN, ESPN Deportes in US; TSN in Canada)
- July 19: Chicago Fire FC vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 8 pm (FS1, TUDN in US; TSN in Canada)
- July 23: Chicago Fire FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 9 am (ESPN, ESPN Deportes in US; TSN in Canada)
Additionally, the schedule for one other Group B match has been updated:
- July 19: Seattle Sounders vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 10:30 pm ET (FS1, TUDN in US; TSN in Canada)
The revised Group A schedule has been created to replace those Group A matches which previously included Nashville SC and Chicago Fire FC (all times ET):
- July 14: Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami CF, 10:30 pm (TUDN in US; TSN in Canada)
- July 14: New York City FC vs. Orlando City SC, 8 pm (TUDN in US; TSN in Canada)
- July 20: Philadelphia Union vs. Orlando City SC, 8 pm (TUDN in US; TSN in Canada)
- July 20 Inter Miami CF vs. New York City FC, 9 am (ESPN, ESPN Deportes in US; TSN in Canada)
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.
