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MLS: 3 ways to solve coronavirus postponement

By Andrew Dowdeswell

MLS, Don Garber (Photo by Andy Mead/YCJ/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MLS, Don Garber (Photo by Andy Mead/YCJ/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – MARCH 01: Gustav Svensson #4 (L) and Nicolas Lodeiro #10 of Seattle Sounders bring the Sounders’ 2019 MLS Cup trophy to the field prior to their game against the Chicago Fire at CenturyLink Field on March 01, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

1. Squeeze it in, sensibly

The most realistic outcome of all this is that Don Garber squeezes the season in one way or another. Unlike other sporting leagues, MLS has margin for error as they are only at the start of their season. They have time to shift matches around to ensure that all are played by the end of the year.

Now, sacrifices will have to be made. Perhaps teams only play each other once with a playoff system. Perhaps each team plays those in the same conference twice, you split the league into two, before coming together for the playoffs and MLS Cup. Maybe you play some matched behind closed doors such that you can recommence the season earlier than otherwise.

Competitions like the Leagues Cup, Campeones Cup and U.S. Open Cup are all expendable and can be cut or amended to free up midweek slots. And even the CONCACAF Champions League can be changed early in the season to help some teams.

Next. MLS: Top 5 English players in league history. dark

Ultimately, MLS has options to squeeze the season in. The only problem is that they must do it sensibly, safely, and not greedily, and there is reason to doubt that that will be the case.

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