Football
Jeff Carlisle, U.S. soccer correspondent 4y

Coronavirus: FC Dallas stops training after player tests positive

An unidentified FC Dallas player has tested positive for the coronavirus, a team spokesperson announced on Wednesday.

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"The [FC] Dallas medical staff has been working directly with the COVID-19 task force to treat the player who is observing appropriate isolation protocols and is feeling well," the spokesperson said just prior to a video conference call with manager Luchi Gonzalez. "No other cases or symptoms within FC Dallas soccer operations, front office or Toyota stadium staff have been identified at this time."

The spokesperson added that "out of an abundance of caution" the team hadn't practiced since Friday, May 29, and that training would be suspended until further notice. The spokesperson later confirmed to ESPN that the team is still in the process of testing players and any staff that may have come in contact with the player, and that they have yet to receive all of the results of the tests that have taken place.

The announcement comes at a sensitive time for the league. On Wednesday, MLS and the MLS Players Association announced an agreement on economic concessions by the players for 2020 as well as a modified Collective Bargaining Agreement. That agreement will now allow the league to move forward with its plan to return to play, which includes a tournament in Orlando. Teams are expected to arrive in around three weeks, with matches set to begin two weeks later. The protocol for the testing of players of players and staff has been point of concern for the MLSPA.

The FCD player is the second from MLS to have a positive for the coronavirus publicly confirmed. Philadelphia Union forward Kacper Przybylko contracted COVID-19 back in March, but made a full recovery.

"Based upon guidance from our COVID-19 Task Force and MLS health officials, this case does not present a risk to our front office personnel, Toyota Stadium staff, FC Dallas players who are coaching staff, or any recent visitors to Toyota stadium," the spokesperson added. "In addition to working with our infectious disease specialists, we remain in constant consultation with the CDC, local health authorities and Major League Soccer regarding the situation."

All MLS teams except the San Jose Earthquakes have returned to individual and small group training.

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