SAN JOSE, Calif. – 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Soccer announced today an updated format and schedule for the MLS is Back Tournament and that Nashville SC have been withdrawn from the competition. The San Jose Earthquakes’ third match of the competition, originally scheduled for July 20 vs. FC Dallas, will now take place on Sunday, July 19 vs. Chicago Fire FCat 5 p.m. PT, presented by Sutter Health. The match will be broadcast nationally on FS1 and TUDN, and on radio via KNBR 1050, 1370 KZSF and TuneIn Radio.
Nashville SC, originally part of the six-team Group A, has been withdrawn from the competition after nine players have had confirmed positive test results for COVID-19. Chicago Fire FC, also initially in Group A, has been moved to Group B to replace FC Dallas, who was withdrawn earlier this week.
“We have withdrawn Nashville SC from the MLS is Back Tournament. Due to the number of positive tests, the club has been unable to train since arriving in Orlando and would be not be able to play matches,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. “For every decision we make in our return to play, the wellbeing of our players, staff, officials and all participants is our top priority.”
As a result of the withdrawal of Dallas and Nashville, MLS has reconfigured the distribution of teams into six equal groups of four, as well as made an update to the 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.
The alterations now see Group A consist of Inter Miami CF, New York City FC, Orlando City SC and the Philadelphia Union. Group B now consists of Chicago Fire FC, the San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders FC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC. All other groups remain unaffected. For the complete MLS is Back Tournament schedule, please click here.
San Jose’s updated group stage schedule can be found below:
| SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES GROUP STAGE SCHEDULE | |||
| Date | Time (PT) | Opponent | TV Channel |
Friday, July 10 | 6 p.m. | Seattle Sounders FC | ESPN |
Wednesday, July 15 | 7:30 p.m. | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | TUDN |
Sunday, July 19 | 5 p.m. | Chicago Fire FC | FS1/TUDN |
The free drive-in viewing parties at Earthquakes Stadium will continue as planned, adjusting for changes made to the team’s schedule. Tickets already claimed for the team’s match on July 20 will remain valid for July 19.
