MLS might play home games in front of fans later this season

On Wednesday, Walt Disney World and Major League Soccer announced that the league will return to play amid the coronavirus pandemic with a tournament held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando that begins on July 8. 

Assuming that tournament ends as scheduled on or around Aug. 11, the top-flight league may look to return all 26 clubs to home stadiums for matches that are played in front of audiences. 

As ESPN's Jeff Carlisle reported, MLS commissioner Don Garber told reporters via a video call that he remains hopeful teams will be allowed to host some fans later in the year. While Garber added he doesn't know when the non-tournament portion of a season will commence, he said: 

"Whether or not we'll have any markets with fans is also uncertain but we're also hearing about different guidelines that have been established state by state where there's even a possibility that some fans might be able to attend games."

Garber has reasons for optimism. Florida and Alabama are allowing some fans to attend NASCAR races this month. Ohio will welcome spectators to a PGA Tour tournament in July. Texas stadiums can be filled to 50 percent capacity, and that number may go up over the next six weeks. New Jersey is allowing large gatherings after the state lifted its stay-at-home order.