MLS teams resume voluntary player workouts amid COVID-19

MLS teams resume voluntary player workouts amid COVID-19

MLS players train under strict rules amid the COVID-19 pandemic in the first step toward a resumption of competition for the U.S. soccer league.

SHOWS: KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, UNITED STATES (MAY 6, 2020) (SPORTING KANSAS CITY - MUST COURTESY SPORTING KANSAS CITY) 1.

MUTE - VARIOUS OF SPORTING KANSAS CITY PLAYERS ARRIVING TO TRAINING GROUNDS WEARING MASKS AND GETTING THEIR TEMPERATURE TAKEN IN PARKING LOT BEFORE THEY CAN ENTER GROUNDS 2.

MUTE - VARIOUS OF PLAYERS USING HAND SANTIZER AND GOING THROUGH OTHER HEALTH AND SANITISING MEASURES BEFORE ENTERING TRAINING GROUNDS 3.

MUTE - UNIDENTIFIED PLAYER, TRAINING INDIVIDUALLY 4.

MUTE - FORWARD, KHIRY SHELTON, TRAINING INDIVIDUALLY 5.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) SPORTING KANSAS CITY HEAD COACH, PETER VERMES, SAYING: "I think the biggest thing for us was that we wanted to provide a safe environment for our players in a private-field setting.

It was never about trying to get the guys to be able to come and train and have the coaches work with them, it was more just field access at the beginning.

So, I think this is going to be a huge help to the other markets that maybe have a little bit more restrictions and maybe their government officials aren't very confident about it.

I just think this could hopefully (this) demonstrative performance will help move those different markets along in a meaningful way.

I feel good about that aspect and whatever we can do to help the league continue to move forward is our main objective." 6.

WHITE FLASH 7.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) SPORTING KANSAS CITY GOALKEEPER, TIM MELIA, SAYING: "Everyone's safety right now is the most important thing from the whole organization and everyone else going through this.

It's a positive thing that everyone is doing, taking all the steps they need to do to make sure we're safe." ORLANDO, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES (MAY 6, 2020) (ORLANDO CITY SC - MUST COURTESY ORLANDO CITY SC) 8.

VARIOUS OF ORLANDO CITY PLAYERS WEARING MASKS AS THEY ARRIVE AT SCREENING POINT BEFORE ENTERING TRAINING GROUNDS 9.

ORLANDO CITY SC DEFENDER, ALEX DE JOHN, TRAINING ON PITCH IN INDIVIDUAL TRAINING SESSION 10.

VARIOUS OF PLAYERS TRAINING IN INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS 11.

MUTE - VARIOUS MORE OF PLAYERS TRAINING IN INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS 12.

MUTE - VARIOUS OF DE JOHN TRAINING INDIVIDUALLY STORY: Major League Soccer players returned to training on Wednesday (May 6) under strict rules amid the COVID-19 pandemic in the first step toward a resumption of competition for the North American league that has been shut down since mid-March.

A handful of clubs, including 2018 MLS Cup champion Atlanta United and David Beckham's expansion Inter Miami side, held voluntary training after receiving clearance from the league in line with local public health policies.

The workouts began on the same day Germany said the Bundesliga could restart in the second half of May while Spain's La Liga's clubs are testing players this week for COVID-19 as part of a plan to resume competition without spectators in June.

All 26 MLS teams had played two of their 34 scheduled regular season games when action was suspended in mid-March and matches are currently suspended until at least June 8.

Players and staff arrived at team facilities on Wednesday at staggered times and were even assigned designated parking spaces to maintain maximum distance between vehicles.

The players, wearing protective masks and gloves, were then signalled by a field marshal when they could exit their car to approach a station where they would have their temperature taken and disinfect their hands.

Once cleared, players headed to outdoor fields divided into four quadrants.

During each training session, a maximum of one player per quadrant was allowed with no equipment sharing or playing between players.