At long last, it’s time to try to get back to the field. What we’re returning to looks very different from what it used to be like before COVID-19, but it’s a start. In this episode, let’s talk about who’s returning to play, how we’re returning to play, and take in a good example of return to play guidelines.
Is it Time to Return to Play?
In the World:
- German Bundesliga says that it returned to play May 15th
- English Premiere League announced that it will return to play June 17th
- The Italians Serie A announced that it will return to play on June 20th.
- The French have announced that they will not be returning to play in the near term
In the US:
- NWSL announced on May 27th that it will be returning to play with a 25 game tournament that starts on June 27th.
- USL Championship Board of Governors voted to return to play – target July 11th
- The MLS is targeting early July to return to play while they work through a number of obstacles I talk about in the show.
It looks like the time is now to start stepping carefully back onto the field – with restrictions I talk about in the show that are described in the document in the resources section of the show notes below.
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Resources
- Cadeaux, Ethan, and NBC Sports Washington. “NWSL Announces Return to Play with 25-Team Tournament.” NBC Sports Washington, 27 May 2020, www.nbcsports.com/washington/soccer/soccers-back-nwsl-announces-return-play-25-team-tournament.
- Butler, Alex. “Soccer Return: Messi, Barcelona to Play June 13; Ronaldo, Juventus on June 22.” UPI, UPI, 3 June 2020, www.upi.com/Sports_News/Soccer/2020/06/03/Soccer-return-Messi-Barcelona-to-play-June-13-Ronaldo-Juventus-on-June-22/8021591181655/.
- Gardner, Hayes. “USL Championship’s Vote Is Promising First Step in Return to Play.” Journal, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 June 2020, www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/soccer/louisville-city-fc/2020/06/04/loucity-fc-usl-championship-announces-return-play/3146931001/.
- Baxter, Kevin. “MLS Players Union Ratifies Agreement Clearing Way for Return in Early July.” Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2020, www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/story/2020-06-03/mls-players-union-agree-to-return-to-play-plan.
- “Arizona Soccer Association Return-to-Play Guidelines.” Arizona, www.azsoccerassociation.org/arizona-soccer-association-return-to-play-guidelines-/.
