Wright-Phillips: Staging MLS tournament 'a little bit stupid'
Los Angeles FC striker Bradley Wright-Phillips questioned whether Major League Soccer should be returning amid the coronavirus pandemic, calling the decision to stage a tournament "a little bit stupid."
With players inside a bubble in the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, the league is slated to return Wednesday night with a World Cup-style event that will run into August.
But amid mounting virus figures in the United States - and particularly in Florida - the competition has already encountered several setbacks. FC Dallas pulled out on Monday after 11 club members - including 10 players - tested positive for COVID-19 upon arriving at the complex, while Nashville SC had their opening match pushed back after five players contracted the disease.
Reigning league MVP Carlos Vela, meanwhile, opted out of participating in order to stay home with his pregnant wife.
"I don't really care how I come across here because it's no secret to me," Wright-Phillips said on "The Sports Bubble" podcast. "I just think it's a little bit stupid, If I'm being honest. I just think we could have waited like the rest of the leagues and you train until you're able to play. And that's it.
"You've taken us all to a place now in a bubble where you gotta stay in your room, away from your families. You know, some people got some real-life issues, you know, to deal with and you just got to go and leave your family for how long, you know, but I guess money talks, my friend."
The former New York Red Bulls star said that when he isn't training or playing, he plans to isolate in his room and play video games.
"I'm not gonna try and mingle and go do anything," the 35-year-old added. "I got family to think about."