VANCOUVER, BC
– MLS is Back and Vancouver Whitecaps FC are set to play Seattle Sounders FC, FC Dallas, and San Jose Earthquakes in Group B of the upcoming tournament in Florida next month.
“We are ready,” said Marc Dos Santos, Whitecaps FC head coach. “Every player has worked extremely hard over the last three months, stayed committed and focused during this stoppage in league play. We are looking forward to the tournament and representing our club and city.”
The historic MLS is Back Tournament is set to kick off at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida beginning Wednesday, July 8. The three group stage matches will count in the MLS regular season standings and the tournament winner will earn a spot in the 2021 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League.
Groups
GROUP A
Eastern Conference
- Orlando City SC
- Inter Miami CF
- New York City FC
- Philadelphia Union
- Chicago Fire FC
- Nashville SC
GROUP B
Western Conference
- Seattle Sounders FC
- FC Dallas
- Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- San Jose Earthquakes
GROUP C
Eastern Conference
- Toronto FC
- New England Revolution
- Montreal Impact
- D.C. United
GROUP D
Western Conference
- Real Salt Lake
- Sporting Kansas City
- Colorado Rapids
- Minnesota United FC
GROUP E
Eastern Conference
- Atlanta United FC
- FC Cincinnati
- New York Red Bulls
- Columbus Crew SC
GROUP F
Western Conference
- LAFC
- LA Galaxy
- Houston Dynamo
- Portland Timbers FC
Throughout the tournament, ’Caps fans will be able to follow the team through
Extra Time presented by Bell
, a video series that will provide exclusive, behind-the-scenes access to the team. Through a combination of short documentary style video features and raw footage from Florida including an inside look at team travel, meetings, training sessions, matches and more, Extra Time presented by Bell will offer fans unique access to the players’ experiences as the ‘Caps return to play and compete in the first competition since the COVID-19 suspension.
COMPETITION FORMAT
Each team will play three group stage matches, and those results will count in the 2020 MLS regular season standings. 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. The knockout stage will include a Round-of-16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and the Championship match will take place on August 11. Matches tied at the end of regulation in the knockout phase will proceed directly to a penalty kick shootout.
Click Here
for the
MLS is Back Tournament
Competition Guidelines.
MLS worked with U.S. Soccer, Canada Soccer and Concacaf to institute a one-time change to MLS berths to the annual Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League. The
MLS is Back Tournament
winner will earn a spot in the 2021 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League, regardless of whether it is a U.S. or Canadian club. The winner would replace the berth previously awarded to the MLS regular season points leader in the conference opposite of the 2020 Supporters’ Shield winner.
In addition to matches that count in the regular season standings and the Champions League berth, players will have the opportunity to earn additional bonuses as part of a $1.1 million prize pool.
KEY DATES
June 24:
Teams begin arriving in Florida
July 8:
MLS is Back Tournament
group stage begins
July 25-28:
Round-of-16
July 30- Aug. 1:
Quarterfinals
August 5-6:
Semifinals
August 11:
MLS is Back Tournament
Final
MLS IS BACK TOURNAMENT
– July 8 – August 11
Number of Matches:
54 (39 group; 15 knockout)
No. of matchdays:
26
Format:
Group Stage, followed by Round-of-16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals & Championship match
Minimum Matches:
3 (per club)
Maximum Matches:
7 (per club)
