Ex-MLS star in danger of losing sight in left eye

Jaime Moreno’s golf ball bounced off a cart path and drilled him right in the eye last week. Doctors fear he may never see out of it again.

MLS is Back? More like MLS is wild

The league's restart tournament features a bunch of teams that didn't make the playoffs last year advancing to the latter stages.

Some MLS players catching Berhalter's attention

On a conference call with reporters, U.S. men's national team coach Gregg Berhalter discussed who he's keeping an eye on down in Orlando at the MLS is Back tournament.

MInnesota's MLS team in middle of national stories

The first Minneapolis pro sports team to play since George Floyd's death, Minnesota United also faced Sporting KC on Sunday after a player tested positive for COVID-19.

Pandemic delays MLS expansion plans in 3 cities

MLS announced that the planned start dates for three of its next four new clubs — in Charlotte, Sacramento and St. Louis — would be pushed back by a year.

Pandemic delays MLS expansion plans in 3 cities

MLS announced that the planned start dates for three of its next four new clubs — in Charlotte, Sacramento and St. Louis — would be pushed back by a year.

MLS coach kneels for 8:46 as BLM protest

Montreal Impact's Thierry Henry took a knee for the first part of his team's debut at the MLS tournament in honor of the late George Floyd.

People did not like the logo on the MLS pitch

The league drew swift blowback for digitally slapping a giant sponsor logo across the field as it returned to play.

MLS's return comes with a concerning reality

The league returned to action in Florida, where COVID-19 cases are skyrocketing. And players were left with little choice due to the relatively modest pay.

Upcoming days most vital for MLS bubble, virus

Unlike NBA players, MLS players weren't required to arrive in Orlando at least two weeks before their games began. And that could make a huge difference.

MLS's return comes with a concerning reality

The league returned to action in Florida, where COVID-19 cases are skyrocketing. And players were left with little choice due to the relatively modest pay.

MLS' mess a precursor for what U.S. leagues face

If American sports do return, they'll come with fright and exhaustion. Major League Soccer hasn't even started yet and is already proving that.

Major League Soccer teams head to Florida, albeit in stop-start fashion

TORONTO — MLS teams are gradually making their way to Florida for the MLS is Back Tournament, albeit in stop-start fashion.Toronto FC became one of several teams to delay their departure, pushing its flight from Friday to Saturday, saying more time was needed to complete pre-travel COVID-19 testing.The New York Red Bulls also delayed their Friday departure, saying a staff member had produced an inconclusive COVID-19 test result. While other staff and players had tested negative Thursday, the Red Bulls said they would reschedule their flight once all the test results were confirmed.Toronto did not immediately respond to a request for more information about its delay. The team's 55-word news release did not specify whether there was an issue with its test results or if the results were simply slow to come back.Nashville SC pushed its Thursday departure back to Friday, citing delays in getting results of its pre-travel screening tests.Sporting Kansas City, scheduled to fly Sunday, said it had confirmed that a positive test for a member of its travelling delegation had turned out to be a false positive.While some teams are having issues getting to Florida, establishing a secure MLS bubble there has also proved challenging.Six players from FC Dallas and one from Columbus Crew SC have already tested positive in the Sunshine State. They have been isolated and are receiving care while the other members of their delegations are in quarantine pending more testing.Major League Soccer had required teams to arrive in Florida no later than a week before their first game at the tournament, which runs July 8 to Aug. 11 at Disney's Wide World of Sport Complex in the Orlando area. But issues with test results have caused several delays.The Vancouver Whitecaps were slated to fly Wednesday but held off after the inconclusive COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test results required follow-up tests.The club said subsequent test results were confirmed to be negative. Still the Whitecaps postponed their flight to permit additional testing and remained in Vancouver as of Friday.Toronto was forced to call off training Wednesday after problems getting test results in time.FC Dallas made it to Florida last Saturday, only to have two players test positive upon their arrival at the league's host hotel. Four other players tested positive soon after.All six were assessed and moved to the isolation area of the hotel where they continue to receive "remote care from a health-care provider,'' the league said.Coincidentally, Vancouver and Dallas meet July 9 in the first match at the World Cup-style tournament both.Toronto opens July 10 against D.C. United.The Montreal Impact, who also kick off July 9 against the New England Revolution, arrived Thursday.Eleven other teams had arrived in Florida as of Thursday: San Jose Earthquakes, Orlando City, Dallas, Columbus, Minnesota United, FC Cincinnati, Chicago Fire, Inter Miami, New York City FC, Philadelphia Union and New England Revolution. D.C. United, Portland and Seattle were scheduled to join Nashville in Orlando on Friday.While all 26 teams are staying in the same hotel, they are not supposed to have contact with each other.League protocols include regular screening, testing, social distancing, personal protective equipment and a mandatory quarantine for all individuals upon arrival at the hotel until they have a negative test.MLS has been on hiatus since March 12 when play was suspended two weeks into its season. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 3, 2020.\---Follow @NeilMDavidson on TwitterNeil Davidson, The Canadian Press

MLS players balance health history with virus risk

Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Andy Rose needed to have a lot of conversations and make hard decisions when Major League Soccer first started moving toward returning to action with a tournament in Florida. The majority of the league’s players will be taking part when the tournament starts next week.

Toronto FC signs third goalkeeper ahead of MLS is Back Tournament

Toronto FC has signed goalkeeper Kevin Silva to a first-team contract, adding a third 'keeper for the trip to the MLS is Back Tournament.The six-foot 189-pounder joins starter Quentin Westberg and backup Alex Bono on the MLS club roster. The 22-year-old American spent last season with Toronto FC 2 on loan from Scotland's Heart of Midlothian, where he was playing for the reserves. He had two shutouts in eight appearances for TFC's USL side.Silva made the move to Toronto FC 2 permanent in January."Kevin has worked hard and performed well throughout his time with TFC 2," Toronto FC GM Ali Curtis said in a statement. "He has a great attitude and will continue to develop working alongside Quentin and Alex on the first team."Silva, a native of Bethlehem, Penn., who played collegiately for UCLA and Rutgers, also spent time on loan with Raith Rovers of the Scottish third division.Toronto FC was slated to charter to Florida on Friday for the World Cup-style tournament that runs July 8 to Aug. 11 at Disney's Wide World of Sports in the Orlando area.Toronto opens July 10 against D.C. United.Toronto coach Greg Vanney said Thursday he is taking 29 players to the tournament. Nigerian forward Ifunanyachi Achara, the 30th man on the roster, is scheduled to undergo knee surgery Tuesday and is gone for the season.The MLS has been idle since suspending play March 12, two weeks into the season, due to the global pandemic. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 3, 2020.The Canadian Press

Positive tests, isolation, uncertainty: MLS' mess shows what other U.S. leagues are in for

If U.S. sports do return, they'll come with fright and exhaustion. MLS hasn't yet started and is already proving that.

Toronto FC leaves for Florida with concerns over COVID-19 situation that awaits

Toronto FC heads to Florida with some unease given recent positive tests there by FC Dallas players and the rising numbers of COVID-19 cases state-wide."There's concern, no doubt," said head coach Greg Vanney. "Because it's showing that the (MLS) bubble is not impenetrable and there are some issues that are going on. The question is how quickly can the protocols that are in place down there get things under control so it doesn't start to spread inside of the bubble."That remains to be seen."Vanney says if he could, he would delay his team's departure to the MLS is Back Tournament at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex in the Orlando area."I don't know where it's going to go," he said of the departure date.Vanney said given the team feels comfortable and safe in Toronto and the situation is less stable in Florida, "it just makes sense ... that we don't go barrelling down right now until they know that have everything under control."Maybe they do."The TFC delegation is scheduled to leave Friday, the latest allowed by Major League Soccer which has mandated teams have to arrive at least a week before their first game. Toronto opens July 10 against D.C. United.The seven-day requirement is presumably to allow players time to be isolated if they test positive in Florida.Not everything has been smooth in the leadup to leaving. Vanney said training had to be scrapped Wednesday because of a delay in getting COVID test results back.Still, Vanney says his players wants to take part in the tournament and are motivated to go deep into the World-Cup style event."At the same time, obviously they're not oblivious to what's happening," he told a media conference call Thursday.Asked if staging a tournament during the pandemic was worth it, Vanney replied: "it's a tough one.""I don't know. For me, if it's my call, there's a lot of things at play here," added the father of four. "I have my concerns for our guys and for our team and our families and all that kind of stuff. But we're doing it. And if we're going to go do it, we're going to go do it with the intent to be successful."Still, what is going on south of the border is worrying."The challenge that we all have on the human side of the group (is) we see what's going on down in the U.S.," Vanney said. "People are not taking things serious and it's completely, in a lot of ways, out of control. And with very little leadership going on down there, outside of the bubble that is whatever MLS is trying to create."The problem is the bubble is only as good as what gets into the bubble. And that's obviously becoming an issue, which is concerning for all of us. Our guys are very aware of it. Are they concerned? Yes. Are they right to be concerned? Yes, I guess."The league said Wednesday that two FC Dallas players tested positive upon arrival Saturday at the league's host hotel in Florida. Another four tested positive within the last few days.The entire Dallas party went into isolation pending additional testing. While teams are staying in the same hotel, they are supposed to be isolated from other squads.The Columbus Dispatch, citing a source, reported Thursday that a Columbus player had also tested positive in Florida. The Crew arrived Sunday.Nashville SC, meanwhile, said Thursday that it had postponed its scheduled departure for Florida because its pre-travel screening tests had not been received in time. It plans to leave Friday, pending receipt of the test results.Vanney says his team wants to "the best of our ability" create its own bubble with the MLS bubble."What we can control is what we do," he said. "That's the first and foremost thing that we've got to try to do."Vanney says all MLS players coming into the bubble bear a responsibility to do the right thing leading into entering the controlled environment."I think some players have failed in some ways of keeping themselves quarantined and away from what's going on around them and not bringing it into the bubble ... The problem is we all rely on each other. That's the way this works."Florida reported a record 10,109 new cases Thursday, more than all the cases reported to date in Norway (8,865) according to the world Health Organization. Toronto is bringing 29 players — all of its first-team players with the exception of rookie forward Ifunanyachi Achara, who is gone for the season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in practice Friday.Star striker Jozy Altidore, who has been training on his own while fulfilling his mandated quarantine after returning from his home in Florida, is due to rejoin the full team Friday for practice.Vanney said they will be careful with his return, saying it would be asking a lot to be ready for the first game.The Vancouver Whitecaps were slated to leave Wednesday. But their departure was postponed after two inclusive tests that later turned out to be negative. The Whitecaps were undergoing additional tests Thursday.The Montreal Impact, who open July 9 against the New England Revolution, were slated to leave Thursday.While the Canadian MLS teams head south to the COVID hot spot of Florida, NHL teams reportedly will be coming the other way to play.Canada, Vanney said, seems to have "a lot better control of the situation.""To be able to go into that environment as a team would be a lot more comfortable than going down to what has essentially become the epicentre of the virus," he said. "So for sure, that (coming to Canada) is a smart move." This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 2, 2020.\---Follow @NeilMDavidson on TwitterNeil Davidson, The Canadian Press

Toronto FC lose impressive rookie Achara for the season due to knee injury

TORONTO — Ifunanyachi Achara's roller-coaster rookie ride in Major League Soccer is ending in knee surgery.The 22-year-old from Nigeria tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in training Friday at BMO Field when he became tangled with defender Omar Gonzalez, who has seven inches and 45 pounds on him, while both attempted to get to a cross."It was one of the last plays of the day, unfortunately," said Toronto coach Greg Vanney.Achara is scheduled to undergo surgery next Tuesday. He will miss the rest of the season, whatever that is after the MLS is Back Tournament which runs July 8 to Aug. 11 in Florida.Vanney said the young forward had wasted little time proving he was "goal-dangerous in every game.""If he wasn't in the lineup, he was going to be one of the first guys to come into a game," Vanney told a media conference call.Vanney said he had hoped to build Achara's versatility — he can play striker or wide — into the team toolbox."We were starting to embark on all the different ways we can use this guy in different roles," he said."For me, in terms of my planning he was a really important piece of how we would evolve ... Every challenge we put in front of him, he met with real quality.""So we'll miss him. Somebody's now going to have to fill some of those roles. He's done everything that one man could possibly do to prove his value in the amount of time that he's had."Achara, whose career at Georgetown University was interrupted by injury, was selected in the first round (25th overall) of the Jan. 9 MLS SuperDraft.Despite missing the first part of training camp due to illness, he was rewarded with a contract Feb. 21 after scoring three goals in pre-season."Ready to pour my heart out for this team that gave me everything. Thrilled and super excited for this opportunity!! Let’s get to work God'sPlan," he tweeted at the time. Unable to take part in Toronto's Feb. 29 season opener in San Jose because of red tape, he scored in his MLS debut the next week. After an apparent 11th-minute goal was waved off for offside, Achara scored in the 81st minute for a 1-0 Toronto win March 7.Five days later, the league shut down due to the global pandemic and Achara found himself in lockdown in a high-rise near the team's north Toronto training facility.He looked to make the best of the situation. He was featured in a Toronto FC workout video, hefting cans of tomatoes as makeshift weights.Star striker Jozy Altidore took to social media Thursday to voice his support for Achara, saying "2020 has been a tough one. Hope for a full and speedy recovery for the young buck."Ifunanyachi came to the U.S. at 16 to attend Berkshire High School in Massachusetts, where he spent a year playing with TFC winger Jacob Shaffelburg.As a freshman at Georgetown in 2016, he sprained the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee and played just eight games with one goal. The next season, he sprained the ligament again with seven goals and one assist in 11 games.He was injury-free as a junior and ranked third on the team in scoring with seven goals (including four game-winners) and one assist in 21 games. He was hurt again playing for his Black Rock FC club team prior to his senior season, with a sprained left meniscus requiring surgery.The Hoyas co-captain missed the start of the 2019 season but came back strong with six goals and five assists in 15 games, only to sprain his ankle in the NCAA playoffs. He saw limited action after that but came off the bench in the Hoyas' 7-6 penalty shootout win over Virginia in the College Cup final in December.Toronto is slated to leave Friday for Florida and the MLS is Back Tournament. It opens July 10 against D.C. United before facing the Montreal Impact on July 15 and the New England Revolution on July 21.All the games are taking place at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex in the Orlando area. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 2, 2020.\---Follow @NeilMDavidson on TwitterNeil Davidson, The Canadian Press

Six FC Dallas players test positive for COVID-19 in Florida

Six players with FC Dallas have tested positive for COVID-19 and the entire team has been quarantined ahead of the MLS Is Back tournament.

Atlanta United signs free-agent midfielder Damm from Mexico

ATLANTA (AP) -- Atlanta United has signed free-agent midfielder Jurgen Damm, a former member of the Mexican National Team.

Wednesday Sports in Brief

The NFL will cut its preseason in half and push back the start of exhibition play so teams have more time to train following a virtual offseason made necessary by the coronavirus pandemic, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press. Players are still discussing with their union whether to ask for cancellation of all preseason games, according to two people familiar with their thinking. NEW YORK (AP) -- The St. Louis Cardinals have replaced the New York Yankees as the opponent for the Chicago White Sox in the Field of Dreams game on Aug. 13 at Dyersville, Iowa.

Galaxy's Dos Santos needs hernia surgery, out for tourney

LA Galaxy midfielder Jonathan Dos Santos will miss the upcoming MLS restart tournament to have hernia surgery. The Galaxy announced Dos Santos' injury Wednesday. The club says Dos Santos will be sidelined for roughly six weeks by the minimally invasive surgery, which will be conducted at the Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Santa Monica.

MLS 'bubble' has its first coronavirus outbreak, and it's all on one team

Nine FC Dallas players have tested positive for COVID-19 since arriving in Dallas for the MLS restart.

Bayern nears Sané signing as defender Kouassi arrives

Bayern Munich is close to buying Germany forward Leroy Sane from Manchester City, the Bavarian club said on the same day it signed defender Tanguy Nianzou Kouassi from Paris Saint-Germain. Sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic said on Wednesday that Bayern was ''in very good talks'' with City and Sane's representatives.

Toronto FC players, staff and supporters take stand against racism

Toronto FC and its supporters have combined forces in a stand against racism.Fans from the south end of BMO Field, home to the MLS club supporters' groups, made a giant banner showing a clenched fist below the words "Love Football, Hate Racism."After the tifo was delivered Tuesday to the club's north Toronto training ground, 39 TFC players and staff formed a circle around the banner in the middle of one of the pitches.The club tweeted "we stand together with our Southend supporters."The MLS franchise has mobilized in recent week in support of Black Lives Matter and the fight to end racism.Toronto fullback Justin Morrow is executive director of the newly formed Black Players Coalition of MLS. Jozy Altidore, Ifunanyachi Achara, Richie Laryea and other TFC players have been vocal about the need for change, as have assistant coach Jason Bent and GM Ali Curtis.This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 30, 2020The Canadian Press

Toronto FC defender draws response from MLS over Florida food tweet

"An army marches on its stomach," Napoleon once said. And so do pro sports teams, it appears. Toronto FC defender Omar Gonzalez, who has yet to arrive in Florida for the MLS is Back Tournament, drew a quick response from the league Tuesday after a tweet showing an apparent sample of the in-room dining that apparently awaits them at the Swan and Dolphin Hotel.Gonzalez posted a photo of a spartan boxed lunch — a sandwich, banana and what may have been a salad in a small container — along with a one-page MLS is Back in-room dining menu."Yummm ... MLSisBack," wrote the U.S. international.TFC defender Eriq Zavaleta posted another photo of a basic sandwich, with a grimacing face emoji as his review."Enjoy your meal," responded Toronto defender Chris Mavinga, with an upside-down face emoji."Nothing like a $65 sandwich to get the recovery going!! Can't wait..." tweeted Toronto goalkeeper Alex Bono. The league says the players won't pay for such meals. Sandwiches on the menu provided by the league read better: Bourbon-glazed Virginia ham, alpine Swiss cheese, Dijon mustard on a caraway kaiser and house-brined, cracked pepper turkey breast, smoked gouda, honey mustard on medianoche bread. Teams have already started arriving in Florida for the tournament that runs July 8 to Aug. 11 at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex in the Orlando area. They will all be staying at the one hotel.Referencing Gonzalez's tweet, the league said the in-room dining meal menu in question is only for the 12 hours that players, staff and other officials are in quarantine after their arrival.Once the clubs get their COVID test results and complete quarantine, they will eat together in their team meal rooms.The league said players also have access to four other restaurants and two other eateries including Shula's Steak House: American Seafood and Steakhouse and the rustic Italian cuisine of Il Mulino.Toronto FC players may be spoiled when it comes to food. They rave about Elaine Flamenco, the head chef at their training centre. Flamenco and her staff provided meals for the players at home during the pandemic lockdown.Raptors guard Fred VanVleet, who is in Fort Myers, Fla., preparing for the resumption of the NBA season in the Orlando area, also mentioned food as one of his concerns given teams could spend a long time in the NBA bubble if they go deep into the playoffs.He said being fed by the same chefs every day, the food options will become "bland" pretty quickly.On the plus side, the Raptors had a team barbecue recently.The NBA season resumes July 30 with playoffs to begin in mid-August and the NBA Finals going into October.This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 30, 2020.\---Follow @NeilMDavidson on TwitterNeil Davidson, The Canadian Press

Thierry Henry, Impact hope to adapt to 'awkward' situation with MLS return

MONTREAL — "Mr. Gram" has been a big help to Montreal Impact manager Thierry Henry these past few weeks.The former Arsenal great joked that "Gram" (first name "Insta") has been his go-to for figuring out any new developments with Major League Soccer's plans to resume play in Florida during the COVID-19 pandemic that has resulted in over 150,000 confirmed positive cases in the state."That's where I get my news," Henry said.There has been no avoiding talk of the coronavirus in the daily news cycle, and it has even affected Henry's personal life. The manager told media in a videoconference Tuesday that some members of his family, as well as friends, have had the virus. They have since recovered."It was, and it still is, a weird situation that we need to adapt (to)," Henry said. "It will never be the same after COVID-19. As long as the vaccine is not there, we're going to have to respect distances and wear a mask. Being on the field with a mask and try to (coach) a session isn't the easiest thing."As for how the virus could affect matters on the field at the MLS Is Back Tournament, set to take place July 8-Aug. 11 near Orlando, the manager says he will prepare his team for any challenge that could come their way — even if there may be some unknowns with the virus."Nobody has lived that before," Henry said. "We're going to have to go through that. Whatever's going to come our way, we're going to have to be ready for that. It's an awkward one, as we all know."Henry also weighed in on the Black Lives Matter movement and anti-racism protests that have risen since the death of George Floyd May 25 in Minnesota. Earlier this month, Henry released a statement demanding change and calling Floyd's death "tragic and unnecessary."Henry says he'd like to show his support to the movement in some way while in Orlando, but declined to expand further. He also said he is unaware of what the league will let him and his team do."I think that we all know that Black Lives Matter," Henry said. "We've been talking about it. Everyone is doing it, everyone is showing that they're starting to understand our pain."The Impact will travel to Florida on Thursday in advance of the 26-team tournament, which will begin with each team playing three group play matches. Montreal is in Group C alongside New England, D.C. United, and Toronto FC, which means the tournament will serve as Henry's first taste of the Montreal-Toronto rivalry even if it will lack spectators."You know I know it is a special game," Henry said. "I'm not going to pretend I know all about it because I don't. I just arrived and I know I'm going to feel it. We won't have fans and fans usually bring a special addition into the game, normally, but we're going to have to deal with what we're going to have to deal as you know the situation."It is an important game and, trust me, everybody is letting me know how special it is."Montreal opens the tournament versus New England on July 9 before playing Toronto FC on July 15 and D.C. United on July 21.This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 30, 2020.Julian McKenzie, The Canadian Press

Toronto FC newcomer Pablo Piatti finally ready for his MLS close-up

TORONTO — Some five months after signing as a designated player for Toronto FC, Pablo Piatti is finally going to get his MLS close-up.Sidelined by injury in pre-season and then the global pandemic, the 31-year-old Argentine winger has been somewhat of a mystery man. A conference call Tuesday was his first interaction with local reporters since his signing was announced Feb. 7 on a free transfer from Spain's Espanyol.For fans wondering what kind of player Piatti is, the Argentine says just watch me."Everything that they need to know, they will be seeing very soon, hopefully," he said through an interpreter. "I'm a very extrovert person that likes to be out there trying to help the team the best way I can because I consider myself a person who has a winning mentality and I like to reach objectives and goals."I think with the team we have and with the mentality I have, we can accomplish great things with this team."Piatti and Toronto FC leave Friday for Florida and the MLS is Back Tournament, which runs July 8 to Aug. 11 at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex in the Orlando area. Toronto opens July 10 against D.C. United.Piatti, nursing a strained hamstring, and captain Michael Bradley, who was recovering from January ankle surgery, were the two players allowed in the team's north Toronto training centre to undergo daily rehab during the lockdown.Piatti underwent anterior cruciate ligament surgery in February 2019 while with Barcelona-based Espanyol. He returned from the surgery in late September but was soon sidelined again by a muscle injury, with Toronto team president Bill Manning saying one of his doctors believes Piatti came back too early.Toronto put the five-foot-four 139-pound Piatti through extensive tests involving medical experts from the Raptors, Maple Leafs and Blue Jays before signing him. And it has handled the Argentine with kid gloves ever since.Piatti has played just seven games since the surgery, none since arriving with Toronto.The hamstring issue kept him out of pre-season and the two regular-season games Toronto was able to play before the league suspended play on March 12.Piatti said while the injury was not serious, Toronto just wanted to take things slowly. He said he has used the time off to work on his health and fitness."I took advantage of the extra hours that I had to work on it. And I'm really happy with the level I am right now."He praised the Toronto franchise for its quality and organization on and off the field."Not only on the sports side but also making sure that we're good as a family," he said. "Something that I'm very thankful for."Piatti said the pandemic has drawn he, wife Nuria and baby daughter Olivia closer together as a family."We spent time on things we don't normally have time to spend on," he said.Piatti is no stranger to Toronto. He was part of the talent-rich Argentina team that won the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada , defeating Chile in the semifinal and the Czech Republic in the final, both at BMO Field.He has since earned one cap for the senior Argentina team.Each MLS club will play three group games at the Orlando tournament with the results counting in the standings. Sixteen of the 25 teams will advance to the knockout rounds."It's going to be hard to leave my family behind but it's a part of my job," Piatti said.Piatti joins Spanish playmaker Alejandro Pozuelo and U.S. international striker Jozy Altidore as Toronto's designated players. Bradley signed a new deal in December involving targeted allocation money. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 30, 2020.\---Follow @NeilMDavidson on TwitterNeil Davidson, The Canadian Press

Veteran Brazilian midfielder Juninho retires from LA Galaxy

CARSON, Calif. (AP) -- Veteran Brazilian midfielder Juninho has retired with the LA Galaxy.

American de la Fuente, Barcelona reach 2-year extension

American winger Konrad de la Fuente and Barcelona have agreed to a two-year contract extension through the 2021-22 season. Barcelona said Monday the deal with de la Fuente includes a pair of club options and a buyout clause of 50 million euros ($44.5 million). The buyout clause would double if de la Fuente is promoted to the first-team roster.

Toronto FC, Whitecaps say no one has tested positive for COVID-19 at their club

Toronto FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps say no one at their club has tested positive for COVID-19.The Montreal Impact, who announced in mid-April that a club employee had tested positive, did not want to discuss the issue."We are not commenting on our results," a club spokesman said Monday.Major League Soccer said Sunday that 18 MLS players and six club staff had received positive Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests prior to travelling to Orlando for the MLS is Back Tournament.As of Sunday, a total of 668 players had been tested since early June.COVID-19 testing for MLS players and staff ramped up with the resumption of full team training earlier this month, with more tests mandated on the eve of departing for Orlando. Upon arrival in Florida, everyone is required to immediately take another PCR test and remain quarantined until they receive the results.The league said 25 of its 26 clubs were able to commence full team training prior to travelling to Orlando for the World Cup-style tournament, which runs July 8 to Aug. 11 at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex.The San Jose Earthquakes, the lone team unable to resume full training in their home market due to local health authority restrictions, were the first side to arrive in Florida — touching down last Wednesday."Some of the things have taken a little bit to get used to but I already feel like I'm at home here," San Jose defender Tommy Thompson told a media Zoom call Friday."It was a little bit intimidating at first but now guys are already starting to feel more and more comfortable," he added. The league said Sunday that of the 329 people given PCR tests on-site in Florida, two were positive — both players who had just arrived. Anyone who tests positive while in Orlando is moved to the isolation area of the hotel until they get medical clearance.Florida reported 9,557 new cases of COVID-19 among state residents on Friday although that number had dropped to 5,409 on Sunday, according to the Florida Department of Health, Division of Disease Control and Health Protection.Orange County, which includes Orlando, reported 345 new cases among Florida residents on Sunday.MLS suspended play on March 12, two weeks into the season, due to the global pandemic. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 29, 2020.\---Follow @NeilMDavidson on TwitterNeil Davidson, The Canadian Press

Toronto FC trains at BMO Field for first time since global pandemic lockdown

Toronto FC was about to train at BMO Field on March 12 when the session, and then the season, was suddenly halted.On Friday evening, 106 days, later they returned for a first practice at their home stadium since the global pandemic ground Major League Soccer to a halt. "And we back," 20-year-old defender Rocco Romeo tweeted Saturday."Hello BMO Field," added midfielder/forward Tsubasa Endoh."Good to be back on the field," said defender Chris Mavinga."Getting close," wrote midfielder Jonathan Osorio.Toronto is preparing for the MLS is Back Tournament, which runs July 8 to Aug. 11 at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex in the Orlando area.A club spokesman said the team had opted to train at BMO Field rather than its north Toronto training facility to get in an evening workout in a stadium setting ahead of the World Cup-style tournamentToronto returns to action July 10 against D.C. United in a game that kicks off at 8 p.m. ET. Two of its three group games are evening starts.Toronto, drawn in a group with D.C. United, Montreal Impact and New England Revolution, is scheduled to charter to Florida next Friday.Knocking a ball about at an empty BMO Field could be a precursor for later in the season, if teams resume play in their home markets.The club released a short video and some photos on Saturday afternoon showing the BMO Field session. Under MLS rules governing the return to training during the pandemic COVID-19 era, practices are closed to the media.MLS has been off since play was suspended two weeks into the season. Toronto tied its season opener 2-2 at San Jose on Feb. 29 before defeating visiting New York City FC 1-0 on March 7.Following league and local government protocols, TFC returned to training gradually — starting with voluntary individual sessions on May 11, small group sessions on June 1 and full team training on June 15. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 27, 2020.\---Follow @NeilMDavidson on TwitterNeil Davidson, The Canadian Press

Gladbach reaches Champions League, Düsseldorf relegated

The German soccer league's restart is complete. Borussia Monchengladbach qualified for the Champions League and Fortuna Dusseldorf was relegated by a single point on the last day of the Bundesliga on Saturday. Germany becomes the first major European men's soccer league to complete a full season after restarting during the coronavirus pandemic in empty stadiums.