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Today Major League Soccer drew groups for it’s MLS Is Back tournament in Southern Florida. The Timbers found themselves in Group F along with LAFC, Los Angeles Galaxy and the Houston Dynamo. In a surprising turn of events, unlike the U.S. Open Cup - the Timbers were not paired against the Sounders in the same group.
Teams are to are to report to Florida by the 24th of the month with and eye on starting the tournament on July 8th and it will run through August 11th. With the Los Angeles Football Club, comes the number one seed, and with the Timbers picked last in the group, that means the Timbers will have to really bring their A game right out of the gate.
Here are the groups for the MLS is Back Tournament
GROUP A
Eastern Conference
- Orlando City SC
- Inter Miami CF
- New York City FC
- Philadelphia Union
- Chicago Fire FC
- Nashville SC
GROUP B
Western Conference
GROUP C
Eastern Conference
GROUP D
Western Conference
GROUP E
Eastern Conference
GROUP F
Western Conference
- LAFC
- LA Galaxy
- Houston Dynamo
- Portland Timbers FC
As with most tournaments, I can’t hazard a guess how this is all going to go down - especially in the leagues 25th season.
From the Timbers:
Group stage matches will count in the MLS regular season standings and the tournament winner will earn a spot in the 2021 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League. In addition to matches that count in the regular season standings and the Champions League berth, players will have the opportunity to earn additional bonuses as part of a $1.1 million prize pool.
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
MLS IS BACK TOURNAMENT – July 8 – August 11
Number of Matches: 54 (39 group; 15 knockout)
No. of matchdays: 26
Format: Group Stage, followed by Round-of-16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals & Championship match
Minimum Matches: 3 (per club)
Maximum Matches: 7 (per club)