MLS to restart its season with tournament starting July 8

NEW YORK — Major League Soccer announced Wednesday that its season will resume starting July 8 with a tournament in Florida.

The league's 26 teams will be divided into six groups for the opening round of the tournament played without fans at ESPN's Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World.

Teams had played just two games to start the season when the league suspended play on March 12 because of the coronavirus outbreak.

While in Florida, players will be sequestered in a resort with a rigorous testing protocol. Each team will have three group matches, played over several consecutive days with multiple games a day. The group matches will count toward the regular season.

RELATED: MLS, players reach a new labor deal plan to resume with tournament

RELATED: Major League Soccer players agree to salary cuts, possible tournament

Sixteen teams will advance to the knockout round, with the winner earning a spot in the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League.

Following the tournament, teams will resume the season in their home markets.

Teams can begin arriving for training on June 24. Those that have already been training in market must arrive no later than seven days before their first match.

RELATED: Reports: NFL teams could start their training camp in mid-July

RELATED: Major League Baseball players cut season to 89 games, but want prorated money

RELATED: NCAA is finalizing plan for an extended college football preseason