Toronto FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps restarted full team training Monday ahead of next month’s MLS Is Back tournament.
They join Atlanta United, Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids, Columbus Crew, D.C. United, Houston Dynamo, Inter Miami, Los Angeles Galaxy, Nashville SC, New England Revolution, New York Red Bulls, Orlando City, Philadelphia Union,Seattle Sounders and Sporting Kansas City in holding full team sessions.
The Montreal Impact players are still training in small groups, awaiting authorization to go to the next step.
The teams are preparing for returning to action at the league’s World Cup-style tournament programmed to run July 8 to Aug. 11 in the Orlando area.
The league lifted its team training moratorium on June 4, pending approval of individual club plans by local authorities and the league.
In advance of full team training, players have to complete a physical examination and pass two COVID-19 tests. Players, coaches and select staff must pass tests every other day to attend training.
Testing for antibodies will take place every three months. Testing providers must be authorized by the FDA or Health Canada.
Players can go inside their training center as long as they keep physical distancing.
All 26 teams will take part in a tournament to be held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in the Orlando area starting July 8.
Food is restricted to individual, prepackaged meals and individually wrapped utensils, and 10 feet of distancing is necessary while eating.
Staff is to use appropriate personal protective equipment.
