MLS’s Chicago Fire confirm one player positive for COVID-19

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LOS ANGELES, Aug 22, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – As Major League Soccer tries to get
its regular season back on track in teams’ home markets, the Chicago Fire
said Friday that a first-team player had tested positive for COVID-19.

“All other players and members of the club have returned consecutive
negative test results and do not have symptoms,” the Fire said in a
statement.

“Upon receipt of the initial positive result, the player, who is
asymptomatic, self-isolated under a strict and detailed protocol.”

The team said the player hadn’t travelled Thursday to Columbus, Ohio —
where the Fire fell 3-0 to the Crew — and would remain in isolation until he
is medically cleared.

The Fire are scheduled to host FC Cincinnati on Tuesday at Soldier Field.

MLS protocols for preventing the spread of coronavirus has MLS players
undergo tests every other day, including the day before each match.

Confirmation of a positive test occurs when a player receives two
consecutive positive results.

“As a result of this confirmed positive test, the Fire will now begin daily
testing of the entire first team and football staff,” the team said.

MLS shut down its season in March after just two weeks of play in the midst
of the coronavirus pandemic.

They resumed with the MLS is Back tournament, played without spectators on
a Disney World campus in Orlando, Florida, and resumed matches in teams’ home
grounds on August 12.

Sporting Kansas City maintained their place atop the Western Conference on
Friday with a 2-1 victory at Minnesota.

The week’s action is highlighted on Saturday with the Los Angeles Galaxy-
LAFC derby dubbed El Trafico.