Nashville SC will not play in MLS is Back tournament in Orlando; tourney will have six groups of four teams

Nashville SC becomes the second club to withdraw along with FC Dallas

Nashville SC, which is in the midst of its first season as an expansion team, has become the second club to withdraw from the MLS is Back Tournament. Nashville SC joins FC Dallas as the two clubs to withdraw from the MLS event as a result of positive COVID-19 tests.

"We have withdrawn Nashville SC from the MLS is Back Tournament. Due to the number of positive tests, the club has been unable to train since arriving in Orlando and would not be able to play matches," MLS commissioner Don Garber said in a press release. "For every decision we make in our return to play, the well-being of our players, staff, officials and all participants is our top priority." 

On July 7, the MLS announced that Nashville SC had five different players that had tested positive for the coronavirus. In addition, The Athletic reported that four more players had positive tests following the initial five.

On Monday, FC Dallas withdrew from the MLS is Back tournament after 10 players and a single coach tested positive for COVID-19.

According to The Athletic, Nashville players voted on the right course of action on Wednesday evening and the majority wanted to participate in the tournament. However, the club could've been at a higher risk to test positive and hadn't practiced as a team since June 30.

Nashville SC did arrive in Orlando on July 3. However, two more players tested positive last week and three more on July 6. 

As a result of another team backing out, the Chicago Fire will move from Group A to Group B, which sets all six groups with four teams. Nashville SC was supposed to play in Group A initially. The Fire now join San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders FC, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

Group A had six teams, but went down to five after Nashville SC reportedly withdrew from the tournament. For a look at the complete tournament schedule, click here.

The MLS is Back tournament began on Wednesday with Orlando City FC topping Inter Miami 2-1. Play continued on Thursday with the Philadelphia Union blanking New York City FC 1-0.