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Nashville become second club to be withdrawn from MLS is Back Tournament

Major League Soccer have confirmed that Nashville SC have become the second club after FC Dallas to be withdrawn from the MLS is Back Tournament due to the significant number of coronavirus cases within the squad.

Earlier this month, Dallas were excluded from the tournament after 10 players and one coach tested positive for COVID-19 following their entry into the bio-secure environment in Orlando, Florida.

Within hours of the decision, last season’s MVP and Los Angeles FC forward Carlos Vela confirmed his absence from the five-week event, citing the risky pregnancy of his wife amid the pandemic.

It has now been revealed that Nashville, who are playing their maiden MLS season, won’t take any part in the tournament after nine players tested positive for the coronavirus following their arrival in Orlando.

With the exclusion of both Dallas and Nashville, there has been an equal split of four teams among the six groups. Chicago Fire from Group A have been moved to Group B and they will now face Seattle Sounders, San Jose Earthquakes and Vancouver Whitecaps.

Graphic derived from MLSsoccer.com

The MLS is Back Tournament started on Wednesday night with a Florida derby between Orlando City and Inter Miami in Group A. Orlando came up 2-1 victors after Portuguese star and captain Nani scored a dramatic winner in the 97th minute of the encounter.

The other group game was held earlier on Thursday. Philadelphia Union got the better of New York City FC by a 1-0 score. Alejandro Bedoya lead his team to three points by scoring the solitary goal following the hour mark. New York City dominated the possession and chances statistics, but failed to find the back of the net.

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