SANDY — Real Salt Lake midfielder Nick Besler said of course he wants to start playing soccer again soon, and the possibility of a league-wide tournament in Orlando later this summer is very intriguing, but there are numerous hurdles to still clear.
One of RSL’s representatives for the MLS Players Association, Besler said the players have concerns about Major League Soccer’s proposal of a summer tournament in Orlando sent out this week.
For starters, players would be in Orlando for 60 days beginning on June 1 without their families. In addition, there’s concern that the “Disney Cup” would just be a glorified exhibition tournament without any real reward for winning. There’s concern about the availability of COVID-19 testing for players, as well as player salary and what percentage they’d still make this season.
“We want to do it with parameters that make sense to us players as well,” said Besler. “Everything right now in terms of negotiating is on the table. We want to play and we want to get paid what we think is right.”
Under the proposal sent to the players this week, the first half of the 60 days in isolation would be training camp beginning in just two weeks. A tournament would follow, beginning with group play and then continuing to a knockout stage. Teams would play between five and eight games.
One of the biggest concerns that Besler and RSL goalkeeper Zach MacMath expressed to reporters on Friday’s post-individual workout Zoom calls was the incentive to win.
“As of now, the winner doesn’t really get anything so it’s more of just bragging rights. Typically you play for an MLS Cup, and Open Cup, for (CONCACAF) Champions League, you play for a prize pool. Right now there’s nothing in place,” said Besler.
Added MacMath, “If it’s to happen, there needs to be some sort of incentive to get players on board. We don’t want it to be a preseason tournament essentially. We want it to be serious play where guys play and fighting for something like it were a regular season game.”
Some of the games would start at 9 a.m. as well for TV time slot listings, which Besler said does feel a bit amateurish. He said it’s doubtful any of the MLS players have played a competitive match that early since middle school.
Perhaps the biggest concern is the length of time in isolation.
“The length of time is a bit much. It would be pretty hard for guys with families or even dogs to be away from families for that extended amount of time. It would be difficult for the player pool and all those that would be involved down there,” said MacMath.
“Everything right now in terms of negotiating is on the table. We want to play and we want to get paid what we think is right.” — RSL’s Nick Besler
Damir Kreilach’s wife is due with their second child in the first week in July, the midway point of the 60 days in Orlando. That puts Kreilach in an extremely difficult situation of where to be.
“It’s a big ask to spend that many days away from their families. Everyone is in a different situation,” said Besler, who said the MLSPA is trying to negotiate a shorter length of time in Orlando.
And what about after Orlando?
“What’s the plan potentially after Disney? Is there plan in place for us to play after?” said Besler.
Will there be a shortened regular season beginning in August after Orlando? Besler said he would really like to see games played in home markets after that point, even if it’s without fans, as it would allow players to remain with their families.
Despite many lingering questions, Besler admitted it’s promising that MLS is exploring ideas about restarting the 2020 season in some capacity.