VANCOUVER, BC – Sporting director Axel Schuster and head coach Marc Dos Santos discussed the upcoming MLS is Back Tournament in Central Florida with the media this week, and shared their reaction to being drawn into Group B with FC Dallas, San Jose Earthquakes, and Seattle Sounders FC.
MLS IS BACK
“It's another good day,” Schuster said. “We were here one week ago, and we were able to speak about finalization of the CBA which was a very good and important step for the league. One week later we again have information for you, and we have good news because finally we know and we are very excited that we are coming out of the gates, that we will soon be in Orlando and we'll go on with playing football.”
Dos Santos looks to hit the ground running with the first game the ‘Caps will play and understands the unique nature of the tournament.
“I've spoken about this probably looking like a World Cup format and you have to face it like a World Cup format,” Dos Santos said. “The first game is very important because it could put you in a position right away to almost qualify for the knockout round and then go like that, game by game, knowing that the points in the group stage allow you to also accumulate points for MLS standings so this is a unique type of format.”
Albeit excited for the tournament , Schuster made sure to add that the success the team had during quarantine should not be overlooked.
“What I think is the thing everybody was waiting for, the thing everybody wanted to do, our group is ready for that,” Schuster said of the resumption of the season. “We showed up in this crisis, all our players have stayed in the market, every player showed up at every single session throughout the whole time and we are very happy as an organization.”
Adding to Schuster’s praises, Dos Santos applauded the work of the squad over the extended pause of play.
“On this break, they weren't on vacation, they were able to follow a program and stay fit,” Dos Santos said of his team. “When we saw them again at the individual training on our field, we saw a level of fitness that was totally different with a very positive and good mindset.”
SAFETY FIRST
As Canada and the rest of the world begin to see a slow yet steady reopening to society, safety is the foremost priority for the league and the team. MLS has outlined specific guidelines on health and safety that will be implemented once players arrive in Orlando on June 24.
“I know that the league is working closely together with all chief medical officers,” Axel Schuster said. “We were provided with a lot of information about what the setup is, and we know that it will be a safe workplace.”
Additionally, Marc Dos Santos understands the risks but trusts that the league will ensure a safe tournament.
“It's a little bit in the back of our heads,” Dos Santos mentioned of the virus. “What we believe in is that MLS - from now until the first day that every team arrives - are going to take all the measures to be as secure as possible and we don't have a doubt in that.”
UP NEXT
With the bulk of information already disseminated, the next steps for the 'Caps involve navigating their way through the novel tournament and beyond. For Dos Santos, his first thoughts are on the ramifications the tournament can have on the club.
“Our focus as a club and as a team has to be solely on what we have to do in Orlando,” Dos Santos said. “Take the tournament as an opportunity and our biggest motivation should be let's grab that Champions League spot before anything else, before knowing what tomorrow has to offer us. Our biggest motivation, I think, would will be that.”
After having learned of their opponents, Dos Santos explained that the 'Caps relish the opportunity to face three strong Western Conference clubs in the Sounders, FC Dallas, and the Quakes.
"I was very confident that we were going to be drawn with (Seattle) because it's something that needs to happen and it creates a good buzz inside the group," Dos Santos said in an interview on TSN. "They're all good and dangerous teams to play against. We're ready, we didn't really care who we were drawn with."
Not only they face their Cascadia rivals in the Sounders, they also lineup against the defending champs. Add to that two more clubs the 'Caps have previously faced in the postseason.
"You want to play the best. They're the MLS Cup champions for a reason. You want to play against opponents like that," Dos Santos explained. "You're talking about a Dallas team that probably gave the toughest game to Seattle last year in the Playoffs. San Jose is very energetic and fights in every single game."
Finally, Schuster discussed what the post-tournament landscape could look like in Vancouver and the rest of the league. At the moment, MLS plans to resume a revised regular season following the completion of the tournament.
“As with the tournament, the league is working on that; adjusting, readjusting and looking for the very best solution,” Schuster said. “It will take time to finally come out with a plan. Right now, the league is looking for the very best solution to play most of the games, but that depends on if things develop in the right direction.”
