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D.C. United player tests positive for coronavirus

United did not identify the player, who the club said experienced mild symptoms and was not hospitalized. No other players or staff members fell ill, the team said.

Audi Field, D.C. United's home stadium.
Audi Field, D.C. United's home stadium.Read moreAlex Brandon / AP

A D.C. United player has tested positive for the novel coronavirus and will remain isolated at home for at least two weeks, the MLS organization announced Saturday.

United did not identify the player, who the club said experienced mild symptoms and was not hospitalized. No other players or staff members fell ill, United said, and the team has continued practicing daily, with limitations, at Audi Field.

"The positive result was received during a round of mandatory club testing held earlier this week in preparation for a return to full team training," United said in a statement. "In response to the positive test, D.C. United medical staff [has] been working directly with local health specialists to treat the player, who is observing appropriate isolation protocols."

Two other MLS players have tested positive since the pandemic began, according to their teams: the Philadelphia Union’s Kacper Przybylko in March and an unidentified FC Dallas member this month.

» READ MORE: Kacper Przybylko says he was Union player who tested positive for coronavirus

The United player is the third known D.C. sports figure to test positive, following Georgetown men's basketball coach Patrick Ewing and former Washington Redskins star Dexter Manley.

United has conducted practices in small groups at Audi Field for the past 10 days. Under MLS guidelines for the second phase of resuming workouts, players maintain physical distancing throughout the sessions and do not use any of the team's indoor facilities.

United is awaiting clearance from the league and local health officials to begin full training, which would involve physical contact.

The infected individual, the team said, was not among about a dozen players who participated with families, staff and fans in an event Sunday at Audi Field. About 50 people helped paint "I Can't Breathe" and "Black Lives Matter" on the playing surface in support of protests stemming from George Floyd's death while in custody of Minneapolis police last month.

United’s announcement came three days after MLS unveiled details of a 26-team tournament next month in greater Orlando, Fla. All players and staff, totaling more than 1,200 leaguewide, will reside at a Disney resort for up to six weeks, and the teams will practice and play matches at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

MLS is slated to become the first U.S. men’s team sport to resume competition. The National Women’s Soccer League will conduct a nine-team tournament in the Salt Lake City area starting June 27.

As part of its tournament announcement, MLS shared a detailed list of health, safety and medical protocols. Before traveling to Florida via charter flights, players must undergo two coronavirus tests 24 hours apart and an antibody test as part of an exam that also includes a temperature check and a screening questionnaire. Upon arrival, all individuals will immediately take another coronavirus test. Teams will not be allowed to begin workouts until everyone in the delegation receives a negative result.

» READ MORE: NWSL to be first major U.S. sports league to resume during coronavirus pandemic

United is planning to travel to central Florida on or around July 2. The tournament is set to begin July 8 and conclude Aug. 11.

In Florida, players and staff will undergo testing every other day during the first two weeks of their stay. After that, the league said, everyone will be tested regularly, including the day before each scheduled match. Although players and staff will not be allowed to leave the "MLS bubble," hotel workers and other support staff will come and go.

On a conference call with reporters Wednesday, MLS Commissioner Don Garber played down the threat of the infection spreading to the league delegation, saying players and staff will have little or no interaction with hotel staff.

"There is a difference between contact and being in the vicinity," he said. "We are confident we will be able to manage our tournament."

MLS has not set a threshold for the number of positive tests that would prompt the tournament to be canceled, Garber said.

The league has not provided detailed information about the extent of screening for hotel workers and others. Disney referred questions to MLS. The Swan and Dolphin resort sits on Disney property and is managed by Marriott, which last month said it is using a “multipronged platform to elevate its cleanliness standards and hospitality norms and behaviors.”

» FAQ: Your coronavirus questions, answered.