Revolution Return To Pitch, Hold First Full Team Practice After MLS' Coronavirus Stoppage
BOSTON (CBS) -- The New England Revolution were back on the pitch Monday, taking part in their first full team training session since Major League Soccer suspended play on March 12.
The Revs are one of the first MLS teams to return to practice following the league's coronavirus stoppage. MLS was one of the first pro sports leagues to open practices since the coronavirus pandemic shut things down in March, allowing individual player workouts -- with several restrictions -- to begin in late May.
The Revolution, as you can see, were pretty happy to have the band back together on Monday:
For the players, it essentially marked the start of another training camp. They did several drills and played some small games on Monday.
"It feels great -- finally, we can play football," said left back Alexander Buttner. "It was a long time that we had to train ourselves, but we're back. Everyone is fit because we trained hard by ourselves, but it's different with the team. But it seemed good, it feels good, and it was good to be back."
"We've done a lot of running in past weeks and I think we were all glad to be back playing with a ball again," said defender Henry Kessler.
"The first day of training was good. You can't expect too much on Day 1,' said head coach Bruce Arena. "But we have approximately four weeks to get our team ready for real competition. We're going to work hard and get there. But I was impressed by the effort today."
All players were recently tested for COVID-19 and no one tested positive. They will continue to be tested several times a week.
Atlanta United and Sporting Kansas City also held full team training sessions on Monday.
There is still no word on when the MLS will return to play, or which format the league will go with. But it's looking like they'll try to return with a tournament in Orlando, before potentially resuming league play barring any further outbreaks amid the pandemic. An announcement on a MLS return to play plan is expected to be announced later this week.
