SEATTLE, WASH. – During today’s MLS is Back Tournament Group Draw, Sounders FC was selected into Group B alongside Western Conference clubs FC Dallas, Vancouver Whitecaps FC and the San Jose Earthquakes.
The 26 MLS teams were drawn into one of six groups, with the Eastern Conference having three groups, one consisting of six teams and two consisting of four teams each. The Western Conference has three groups, each consisting of four teams. As 2019 MLS Cup champion, Seattle was given the top seed in Group B, alongside fellow Western Conference top seeds Real Salt Lake (Group D) and Los Angeles FC (Group F).
GROUPS
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)
Seattle Sounders FC
FC Dallas
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
San Jose Earthquakes
GROUP C (EASTERN CONFERENCE)
Toronto FC
New England Revolution
Montreal Impact
D.C. United
GROUP D (WESTERN CONFERENCE)
Real Salt Lake
Sporting Kansas City
Colorado Rapids
Minnesota United FC
GROUP E (EASTERN CONFERENCE)
Atlanta United FC
FC Cincinnati
New York Red Bulls
Columbus Crew SC
GROUP F (WESTERN CONFERENCE)
LAFC
LA Galaxy
Houston Dynamo
Portland Timbers FC
The tournament schedule, including specific matchup dates and full broadcast details, is being announced at a later date.
COMPETITION FORMAT
Each team is playing three group stage matches, and those results count in the 2020 MLS regular season standings. After 16 consecutive days of group stage matches, the top two teams from each group along with the four best third-place finishers move onto the knockout stage. The knockout stage includes a Round-of-16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and the Championship, which takes place on August 11. Matches tied at the end of regulation in the knockout phase will proceed directly to a penalty kick shootout.
MLS worked with U.S. Soccer, Canada Soccer and Concacaf to institute a one-time change to MLS berths to the annual Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League. The MLS is Back Tournament winner will earn a spot in the 2021 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League, regardless of whether it is a U.S. or Canadian club. The winner would replace the berth previously awarded to the MLS regular season points leader in the conference opposite of the 2020 Supporters’ Shield winner.
In addition to matches that count in the regular season standings and the Champions League berth, players have the opportunity to earn additional bonuses as part of a $1.1 million prize pool.
