MLS is back -- and so are the fans. Well, sort of. Wednesday night's match between FC Dallas and Nashville SC in Frisco, Texas, made headlines for being the first in major American sports leagues, including the NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL, to welcome fans back.
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Guidelines set by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott allowed for a 50% capacity limit at sporting venues in his latest executive order, but FC Dallas allotted for 25% capacity, putting 5,110 tickets on sale ahead of the match. The attendance Wednesday was 2,912.
According to the Texas Tribune, organizers enforced cashless interactions between fans and staff, issued digital tickets and required liability waivers in which those purchasing tickets agree not to sue MLS, the two teams or Soccer United Marketing -- the commercial arm of MLS -- if they were to contract COVID-19 as a result of being at the game.
Dallas and Nashville were forced to withdraw from the MLS is Back Tournament in Florida due to multiple positive Covid-19 tests among their squads. After spending the entire competition at home, the teams resumed play against one another -- the first of two meetings in Frisco. Nashville won 1-0, with the next game set for Aug. 16 (stream LIVE on ESPN+).
Here's how it played out at Toyota Stadium on Wednesday night.