FC CINCINNATI – FC Cincinnati have been drawn into Group E for the upcoming MLS is Back Tournament, set to be played Wednesday, July 8 through Tuesday, August 11 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla.
The Orange and Blue will square off with Atlanta United FC, the New York Red Bulls and Columbus Crew SC in the group stage of the tournament. The tournament schedule, national television partner networks, and other important details for the MLS is Back Tournament will be released in the near future.
The MLS is Back Tournament will consist of 54 total matches during the course of 26 matchdays. All 26 teams have been drawn into one of six groups. The Eastern Conference has three groups, one consisting of six teams and two consisting of four teams each. The Western Conference has three groups, each consisting of four teams.
All teams will play a minimum of three matches, while the two teams that advance to the championship match will play the maximum seven matches. The results of each of FC Cincinnati’s three group stage matches will count in the 2020 MLS regular-season standings. The top two teams in each group will advance to the knockout rounds, as well as the next two best teams overall.
MLS is Back Tournament Groups
Group A
Orlando City SC, Inter Miami CF, New York City FC, Philadelphia Union, Chicago Fire FC, Nashville SC
Group B
Seattle Sounders FC, FC Dallas, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, San Jose Earthquakes
Group C
Toronto FC, New England Revolution, Montreal Impact, D.C. United
Group D
Real Salt Lake, Sporting Kansas City, Colorado Rapids, Minnesota United FC
Group E
Atlanta United FC, FC Cincinnati, New York Red Bulls, Columbus Crew SC
Group F
LAFC, LA Galaxy, Houston Dynamo, Portland Timbers
MLS worked with U.S. Soccer, Canada Soccer and Concacaf to institute a one-time change to MLS berths to the annual Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League. The MLS is Back Tournament winner will earn a spot in the 2021 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League, regardless of whether it is a U.S. or Canadian club, replacing the spot that was usually awarded to the MLS regular-season points leader in the conference opposite the MLS Supporters' Shield winner’s.
MLS is Back Tournament Key Dates
June 24: Teams begin arriving in Florida
July 8: MLS is Back Tournament group stage begins
July 25-28: Round-of-16
July 30-Aug. 1: Quarterfinals
August 5-6: Semifinals
August 11: MLS is Back Tournament Final
In a twist of fate, two of FCC’s MLS is Back Tournament opponents will be repeat opponents from the 2020 season’s first two weeks. On March 1, Cincinnati traveled to New York Red Bulls for the season opener, ultimately lost 3-2. On March 7, FCC then traveled to Atlanta where they lost, 2-1. The season was suspended on March 12, two days before the Orange and Blue’s home opener on Saturday, March 14.
For up-to-the-minute information about FC Cincinnati, visit the team’s official website at fccincinnati.com, or follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @FCCincinnati. For the on-going updates about MLS and FCC’s return-to-play plans, please visit fccincinnati.com/season-suspension-updates.
Deposits are now being accepted for premium seating opportunities at West End Stadium, which will open in Spring 2021. A $100 deposit made by June 12 secures a place in line to select seats in one of the stadium’s four distinct premium club areas. Traditional reserved seating will go on sale later in 2020. For more information about 2021 season memberships, visit westendstadium.com, or the stadium’s social properties at @WestEndStadium.
