USL Championship Final canceled due to positive COVID-19 tests
TAMPA, Fla. – The United Soccer League announced today that the 2020 USL Championship Final scheduled for Sunday, November 1 will not be played.
The decision has been made for the health and safety of everyone involved after multiple persons on the Tampa Bay Rowdies covered persons list tested positive for COVID-19 upon a second round of rapid testing on Saturday morning at the Tampa Bay Rays’ medical facilities. The affected individuals have been immediately isolated at home, are recovering in good spirits under the care of team physicians and infectious disease experts, and all league, local and state health and wellness protocols continue to be followed.
USL HQ, in collaboration with the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Phoenix Rising FC, has therefore made the determination that the season will conclude after Tampa Bay and Phoenix each progressed through their conference playoffs to win the Eastern Conference and Western Conference titles, respectively, last Saturday.
“First and foremost, we want to applaud these two teams on an incredible season,” said USL President Jake Edwards. “They deserved the opportunity to play for the USL Championship Final trophy and we are disappointed that we won’t be able to watch them on Sunday night. With that said, we want to thank all of our clubs, our supporters, our players and our staff for all of their time, hard work and energy this season. We’ve grown closer under difficult circumstances and we can’t wait to be back together again soon.”
Additionally, USL HQ, the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Phoenix Rising FC will explore the possibility of a 2021 Season Kickoff game between the two clubs prior to the start of the 2021 Championship season.
“While we are disappointed that the Championship and League One Finals have been cancelled, we understand and appreciate the decision to put player health and wellness first,” said the USL Players Association Executive Committee. “We look forward to seeing all our players back in action at the start of next season.
More information will be announced as soon as it is available.
Related News
USL Championship reveals 2020 All-League Teams
All-League teams from the USL Championship.
Tampa Bay Rowdies advance to USL Championship Final for first time in club history
Tampa Bay is onto the USL Championship Final.
Phoenix Rising FC wins USL Championship’s Western Conference title
Phoenix has reached the USL Championship Final.
SOCCERWIRE MARKETPLACE
- Loudoun College Showcase 2025: Earlybird Registration is OPEN NOW
- GET SEEN AT OUR COLLEGE ID CAMP!
- Maryland United College Showcase Series 2025
- The St. James Winter Futsal Program
- Chelsea FC 3v3 Youth Winter Cup
- International Tryout in Spain
- ECNL Girls Goalkeepers Wanted!
- Adidas College Showcase 2024
- Apply today for the 2025 Jefferson Cup!
- International Soccer Tours & Tournaments
College Recruiting Commitment Tracker
Featured Players
Geoffrey Shi
COLLEGE RECRUITING STARTS HERE
Join the SoccerWire College Soccer Recruiting Search Engine and learn how to be seen OVER 1 MILLION TIMES PER YEAR.
- Basic $99 – for life
- Featured $299 – for life
- Featured PLUS $399 – for life