FC Cincinnati will not face DC United Saturday at Nippert Stadium. Major League Soccer Thursday announced it is suspending the 2020 season.MLS is suspending match play for 30 days.
"Our clubs were united today in the decision to temporarily suspend our season – based on the advice and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), and other public health authorities, and in the best interest of our fans, players, officials and employees," says Don Garber, MLS commissioner, in a statement. "We'd like to thank our fans for their continued support during this challenging time."
FC Cincinnati says the following are effective immediately:
- FC Cincinnati Academy operations – including training and games – will be altered based on guidance provided from U.S. Soccer and MLS
- FC Cincinnati Foundation "Served by the Pros" charitable event on March 22 will be rescheduled
- All scheduled player appearances will be cancelled
- The club's MLS WORKS Greener Goals service projects on April 8 and April 14 will rescheduled to later dates
- The FC Cincinnati Downtown Shop's hours of operations will be adjusted
"As we noted yesterday, we support Ohio Governor DeWine and his strong stance on limiting mass gatherings," says Jeff Berding, team president, in a release. "We strongly support the league’s stance to temporarily halt the season as a precaution, and have been working for several days to get to, and prepare for, this outcome. This is an unprecedented situation, and we look forward to further guidance from MLS, public health officials and government officials as we plot the near future."
More information, including ticket policies, will be released later, the team says.
