Report: FC Dallas out of MLS is Back tournament after coronavirus outbreak

Hours after LAFC forward and reigning Major League Soccer Most Valuable Player Carlos Vela announced he won't participate in the MLS is Back tournament scheduled to begin on Wednesday, reports emerged that an entire team is out of the competition.

The Athletic's Paul Tenorio and Sam Stejskal reported on Monday that FC Dallas will not play in the tournament. ESPN's Stefano Fusaro verified that story during an on-air segment.

Last week, FC Dallas confirmed that six players tested positive for the coronavirus upon the club's arrival to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex bubble site. Those players quarantined at the team's hotel away from others.

In total, Dallas has experienced 14 coronavirus cases.

MLS hadn't commented on the story as of late Monday afternoon. Dallas were scheduled to open the tournament versus Vancouver Whitecaps on Wednesday.

Dallas manager Luchi Gonzalez told Fusaro on Sunday that his club was only able to conduct meetings via Zoom since the outbreak and that his team's participation in the tournament was in doubt.  

"There's concerns with our participation, because as the head coach of this team, I have to be very responsible in the amount of training we can get before we can play a high-level professional game," Gonzalez explained. "And that's first and foremost for me because we want to prevent injuries. And we want players to perform the best of their ability. And on top of that, we want to maintain their health and safety and not risk contamination. So it's just a tough balance."

MLS halted play in March after two matchdays due to the uncontrolled virus outbreak. The tournament is scheduled for July 8 through Aug. 11.

Orlando Pride withdrew from the NWSL Challenge Cup in June following a virus outbreak among personnel.