Carlos Vela, the Mexican superstar who signed with Los Angeles FC in 2018, decided not to participate in the tournament because his wife is pregnant. Vela is the biggest name to date to retire.
"I would like nothing more than to be with my teammates at Orlando," Vela said in a statement to his club. "I always want to give everything I have to my club, our fans and supporters and the city of LA
"However, it is in the best interest of my family's health to stay at home and be with my wife during what is a risky pregnancy. I will miss being with my teammates and coaches, but I will encourage and support LAFC distance. "
MLS on break
In a normal world, FC Dallas would have almost reached the middle of its season at this stage, the players impatiently awaited the star break at the end of July. But of course, we've come a long way since February, when MLS kicked off its 25th season.
Before we can get into it now; we have to remember how the season started.
Meanwhile, the Nashville SC beginners got off to a great start, but could only watch local rival Atlanta United spoil the party with a 2-1 victory. And in Los Angeles on the first day of March, David Beckham saw his Inter Miami team make their MLS debut with a somewhat disappointing 1-0 loss to Los Angeles FC.
How it works
With the exception of FC Dallas, the other 25 teams will meet in a cup-style competition, with a group stage and then knockout matches.
Results from the group stage will count towards the regular season standings that MLS hopes to resume after the tournament ends.
The final will take place on August 11 pitting the best teams from East and West.
The tournament winner will have an automatic place in the CONCACAF 2021 Champions League, the regional club tournament across the Americas and the Caribbean.
Rides added to the tournament include a full video review available for referees and five substitutions as opposed to the normal three.
In accordance with almost all the football leagues around the world that have taken over, due to health problems, no fan will be allowed to enter the match venues.
Inside the "bubble"
The 25 teams will stay at the Disney Swan and Dolphin Resort and play their games at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando. MLS has created a series of security protocols to try to avoid a coronavirus outbreak among the teams. These measures include regular testing, social distancing, and the use of face masks.
"I think the guys understand why the protocols are there and it is very important that we respect them," said Inter Miami CF goalkeeper Luis Robles. "It is not just one person; it is the whole community, so we need to be safe."
Players will be quarantined in their hotel all the time, and for some players, this means being away from their family for much longer than they are used to.
"Being away from your family during a pandemic is always a big concern for the players. I think Major League Soccer has done a good job of ensuring their protocols are tight," said the defender for Toronto FC Justin Morrow, father of two youngsters. girls, said CNN Sport.
"That being said, this virus is very unpredictable, so we will all be invited to strictly follow the protocols and do our best to make sure this tournament starts off well."
Health and safety concerns
The MLS Players Union has recognized the complex nature of hosting a tournament during the coronavirus pandemic.
"The withdrawal of FC Dallas from competition in Orlando is a reminder of the difficult circumstances surrounding the return to work in all sports in the midst of this pandemic," said the players' union in a statement posted on Twitter.
And Dallas isn't the only team handling positive tests. Statistics provided by the league indicate that of the 557 players currently in Orlando, 13 players have tested positive for the coronavirus - including the 10 players from FC Dallas.
Teams like Toronto FC and the Colorado Rapids have delayed their arrival in Orlando, citing recent test results. The Rapids had two positive players before their scheduled arrival.
For the players and teams who are already in Orlando, most are trying to remain optimistic and hope that everything can be contained and that the tournament can continue as planned.
"We understand that this is not the most ideal situation, but everyone is thrilled to be able to play again," said Houston Dynamo player Zarek Valentin.
Portland Timbers head coach Giovanni Savarese added: "It was a little bit strange at first ... it was a situation in which MLS tried everything to organize themselves in the best possible way, and I have to be very proud of our guys because I think we feel very safe around us. "
However, Matt Lampson, a Columbus Crew goalkeeper and cancer survivor, feels more unsure about the return of the MLS, tweeting "it's serious".
With cases of coronavirus spreading in the United States and Florida in particular, some are wondering if the rapid return of sports is the most prudent thing to focus on right now.
"A large part of me wants sport back," said CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta in a recent podcast. "This is how I relax. I would love to sit back and enjoy a game with my family right now.
"But at the same time, it's hard to reconcile that with what's going on in the country and in the world ... and with what I do everyday - go to the hospital, tell people on TV and on this podcast to stay at home, distance yourself physically, wear a mask, do everything in your power to limit the spread of the virus. "
Dr Gupta added: "As much as I want sport to come back - and I do - it is also essential that the health of players and staff comes first, especially when infections increase across the country. "