The Orange and Blue were midway through Thursday morning’s training session when MLS announced a 30-day suspension for all league matches. Unaware of the change, they were still preparing for Saturday’s scheduled home opener.
Once practice ended, general manager Gerard Nijkamp first told interim head coach Yoann Damet, and then the players, that there wouldn’t be a match this weekend or one for the next month.
“We have to respect this decision,” Nijkamp told the media after addressing the team. “Public health is the most important thing for all of us.”
If the league’s announcement provided an answer to FCC’s scheduled match against D.C. United, it raised more questions about what comes next. Will practice continue as planned on Friday? Will the team be able to schedule a friendly while league games are postponed?
“We have to see in the next (few) hours (how this) impacts the team,” Nijkamp said. “Can we still continue training sessions here at Mercy Health Training Center?”
The GM said he’d keep players and the coaching staff informed about any more changes that might be announced. But he reiterated keeping players and the staff safe is paramount.
“At this moment, the most important thing is our public health,” Nijkamp said. “I spoke with the players and it’s the public health for you as an employee of a club, but also your private (life). This concerns all of us.”
Nijkamp was asked about the pandemic’s impact on a coaching search, but he said everything is on hold until MLS – and health officials – provide more information.
