Six players, four staffers test positive according to club.
The NWSL Challenge Cup, set to start on Saturday, has been dealt a setback after the Orlando Pride withdrew on Monday due to six players and four staffers testing positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19).
“The health and safety of our players and staff is our number one priority and our thoughts are with those players and staff fighting this infection, as well as the entire club in Orlando that have been impacted as a result,” said NWSL Commissioner Lisa Baird in a statement.
Pride Executive Vice President Amanda Duffy released a statement on behalf of the club:
“We’re all obviously disappointed, but in the current environment, this is a situation that we have prepared for and we will now adjust our plans and schedules to reflect the circumstances.”
“This was obviously a difficult and disappointing outcome for our players, our staff and fans, however this is a decision that was made in order to protect the health of all involved in the Challenge Cup,” said Orlando Pride EVP Amanda Duffy. “While we were all excited to see the 2020 Pride on the field this weekend, our priority is now making sure our players and staff safely recover and providing any support wherever and however possible.”
“While we were all looking forward to seeing the Pride return to the field, we are unfortunately facing a decision that is necessary and in the best interest for the health of our players and staff. The decision goes far beyond just the positives, but also taking into consideration roommates or partners,” said Daryl Osbahr, M.D., team doctor for Orlando Pride and chief of sports medicine for Orlando Health. “I commend the Club for its diligence and reaction following the initial positive test, as well as how the safety of players and staff was prioritized during this difficult and uncertain time. However, the guidelines and process that are put in place, including the important protocols and timelines for contact tracing, make it logistically impossible for the Club to participate in the Challenge Cup in Utah.”
The Pride were due to face the Chicago Red Stars on Saturday at Zions Bank Stadium in Utah and then the Portland Thorns, North Carolina Courage, and Sky Blue FC. An updated tournament schedule will be released “as soon as possible” according to the league to reflect and eight-team tournament.
THOUGHTS: With confirmed cases rising in a majority of states recently, including Florida, it has threatened to derail many sports’ attempts to return. Questions are going to be asked of MLS’s potential return in Orlando given the situation in Florida though it is reported that the Pride and its staff have had no contact with Orlando City SC’s players or staff.
The news is no better in Utah where is reported its highest number of confirmed cases on Friday at 638. At the time of this reporting, Utah has had 17,906 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 158 reported deaths. The state’s seven-day average of confirmed cases and hospitalizations have gone up considerable since Memorial Day weekend.
