MLS teams could face playoff forfeits due to future COVID-19 outbreaks

COVID-19 outbreaks cost FC Dallas and Nashville SC spots in the "MLS is Back" tournament used to restart the 2020 Major League Soccer season held amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

Clubs competing in the MLS Cup playoffs could face similar fates. 

ESPN's Jeff Carlisle reports that the top-flight's playoff protocols allow for the rescheduling of postseason games if a virus outbreak affects one or both teams involved. With the MLS Cup slated for Dec. 12 and the league looking to begin the 2021 campaign in early March because of calendar congestion caused by multiple international tournaments and dates, teams could be bounced from the league playoffs if sidelined indefinitely due to COVID-19 issues. 

In such scenarios, the club battling the outbreak and subsequent quarantines will forfeit. If both teams aren't cleared to play during a playoff round, though, the club with the higher regular-season points-per-game average will go through. 

While "MLS is Back" was held in a secure bubble at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, playoff fixtures will occur in-market, in part because personnel did not want to isolate away from family members for the second time this year.