Major League Soccer intends to start its 2021 regular season in early March and play a full season despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, league president and deputy commissioner Mark Abbott said Friday.
Instead of an April start date, as had been previously reported by Sports Business Journal, the league will target its usual early March kickoff.
"Based on the crowded international calendar next year, we are targeting to start our season in early March as usual," Abbott said in a statement. "The restrictions on our ability to have fans in our stadiums this year contributed to very significant financial losses.
"Like all leagues, we are concerned about those restrictions continuing for a second year and are continually evaluating how to manage through the impact of the pandemic in 2021."
The 2020 season, which was paused for two weeks starting March 12 because of COVID-19 concerns, began on Feb. 29.
ESPN reported that the league is aiming to avoid a one-city bubble format, instead hoping to play games in home markets. Fans were allowed in some cities on a restricted basis during the regular season.
Last summer, league commissioner Don Garber projected a $1 billion loss for the 2020 campaign, although final figures have not been released.
