FC Dallas announced on Wednesday that a player has tested positive for COVID-19, and that the team has suspended its voluntary individual player workouts "out of an abundance of caution."
No players have been at the facility since last Friday, in part because of players abstaining from voluntary workouts this week as negotiations on the league's collective bargaining agreement continued.
According to the statement, the positive case "does not present a risk" to anyone who has worked or trained at the club's facilities in recent days.
The unidentified player is the second known positive COVID-19 case among MLS players. Philadelphia Union forward Kacper Przybylko also tested positive for the virus back in March.
Below is the club's full statement as read by a club spokesperson prior to coach Luchi Gonzalez's virtual media availability on Wednesday.
FC Dallas had a player who tested positive for the Novel Coronavirus, COVID-19. The Dallas Medical Staff has been working directly with the COVID-19 task force to treat the player, who is observing appropriate isolation protocols and is feeling well. No other cases or symptoms within FC Dallas soccer operations, front office or Toyota Stadium staff have been identified at this time. All the proper social distancing protocols have been followed during our individual team training, but out of an abundance of caution, at this time training has been suspended until further notice.
We will communicate proactively with you when training does in fact resume. No FC Dallas players or technical staff have participated in individual training at Toyota Soccer Center since Friday, May 29. Now based upon guidance from our COVID-19 task force and Major League Soccer health officials, this case does not present a risk to our front office personnel, Toyota Stadium Staff, FC Dallas players or coaching staff, or any recent visitors to Toyota Stadium. In addition to working without infectious disease specialists, we have remained in constant consultation with the CDC, local health authorities and Major League Soccer regarding this situation.
As always, the health and safety of our players, coaches and staff remain our top priority. Luchi Gonzalez will not address questions related to this. Out of respect for the player and his family’s privacy, we won’t have any further comment at this time.
