I am testing this new format out

NWSL plans to be first American sports league back, but some USWNT players might not be on board The National Women’s Soccer League is on the cusp of announcing it will return with a tournament-style competition in late June, making it the first American sports league to return during the COVID-19 pandemic. But there are still more questions than answers, even as sources told Yahoo Sports an official announcement could come as early as Tuesday. The tournament, sources said, would begin the last week of June and run until late July in Utah. The first part of the tournament, which would feature the same round-robin format of a World Cup group stage, would be hosted at Zions Bank Stadium, home of the USL’s Real Monarchs. The semifinals and final to crown a league champion would be played at Rio Tinto Stadium, home of the Utah Royals NWSL team. Under the proposed plan, teams would take charter flights from their home markets to Utah and players would be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival, multiple sources said. A few days later, they would be tested again, and continue to be tested twice per week throughout the competition. Antibody tests to identify which players have had COVID-19 already are also being evaluated, sources said. Where NWSL and USWNT players stand The plan will only move forward if players are on board. All NWSL players have the choice to opt out, sources said, and several USWNT veterans are expected to decline to participate. At least five USWNT players have opposed the plan internally, sources said, while at least three others have voiced support. But most players remain undecided and are waiting for additional details before making a final decision. The divide of players who don’t want to participate tends to grow by age — the older players who are at greater risk of injury and are aiming for a spot at next year’s Olympics are less likely to participate.