After a regular season did not seem feasible due to the corona pandemic, the National Women’s Soccer League decided to host the championship in cup form – but the Orlando Pride team will not be there at the start next Saturday: six players and four employees or Employees have tested positive for the corona virus.
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The tournament was to be the successful starting signal for the gradual return of North American sport. The male colleagues of the MLS will follow on July 8, and the NBA basketball players will start on July 31 – both leagues have chosen Disney World as the venue.
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The club decided to withdraw communicated on Monday. “It is in the best interests of the health of the players, the staff and the rest of the league that we voluntarily withdraw.” President Lisa Baird reacted for the league: “Of course we are disappointed, but under the current circumstances we were prepared for this and will adjust our plans and game plans.” The Pride players were disappointed. “I am heartbroken,” wrote striker Sydney Leroux Dwyer on Twitter, for example.
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After the team’s withdrawal from Florida, there are now only eight clubs instead of nine at the NWSL Cup. The original plan was to eliminate a team in a first round and then move on to a knockout round. It is not yet clear whether it will start knockout games directly. The opening game between the Portland Thorns and North Carolina Courage is currently still scheduled for Saturday.
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