MLS is Back Tournament
Group C, Matchday 3
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Orlando FL.
Friday, July 10 – 8:00 PM ET
After Major League of Soccer went into a shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic only 2 weeks into the MLS 2020 Regular Season, the trop flight of soccer is making a comeback in the MLS is Back Tournament which will kick off in July 9th in Disney’s Epcot Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Florida.
All 26 MLS teams are already heading to Orlando for training and preparation for a World-Cup style tournament that will start with group stages, of which winners will progress a Round of 16 followed by Final series.
Matchday 3 of the MLS is Back Tournament will begin in July 10 with two Major League Soccer Eastern Conference sides, Toronto FC and D.C. United.
Toronto FC are comping after a terrific 2019 Season with one victory away from winning the MLS Cup. The Canadians started the MLS 2020 Regular season with a 2-2 draw on the road against Western side San Jose Earthquakes, followed by 1-0 home victory against NYCFC at home.
But Toronto FC of the beginning of the MLS 2020 Regular Season is quite a different side than it is now. The acquisition of Argentinian attacking midfielder Pablo Piatti from Spain’s La Liga is considered one of the club’s biggest moves in the offseason, and like skipper Michael Bradley, Piatti didn’t start the season with the club yet due to a suspected injury back then, but now both are fit to play.
They will be joined by Toronto’s powerful, attacking and well-quardinated midfield that is orchestrated by Captain Bradley, and together with Alejandro Pozuelo and Jozy Altidore are expected to be a powerful side at the MLS is Back Tournament.
D.C. United had to rebuild itself for the MLS 2020 Regular Season after the departure of Wayne Rooney back home to England and Luciano Acosta who left after four seasons at the Capital.
United acquired Edison Flores, Julian Gressel and Yamil Assad – a trio that should make an impact in the black and reds’ midfield. D.C. started the MLS 2020 Regular Season with two home games, losing their season opener 1-2 to Colorado Rapids, and following with a 2-1 over MLS expansion team Inter Miami CF.
The last time the two sides met was in the 2019 Regular season back in June in Audi Field in Washington D.C. The game ended with a 1-1 draw, curtesy of now-gone Rooney for D.C. and Toronto’s Nick Deleon for the visitors.