NWSL close to forming one-off tournament, 2020 All-Star Game canceled, and more: Freedom Kicks for May 20, 2020

It’s Wednesday, and we’re starting to see more and more soccer leagues return to action. Yesterday, it was the Costa Rican league and Estonia that started. ESPN Deportes will show the next 4 Deportivo Saprissa matches for those who have the channel and are interested in watching. Their first match is tonight at 10pm. Now, to catch you up on yesterday:

NWSL is close to finalizing tournament this summer in Salt Lake City - Washington Post

Real Salt Lake’s academy could be the site of a month-long NWSL tournament this summer, which would be the league’s attempt to play some games ahead of attempting to do an abbreviated season later on this year.

2020 MLS All-Star Game, Leagues Cup, & Campeones Cup all cancelled - BRU

Honestly, I thought these had already been cancelled, but the 2020 MLS All-Star Game (which was supposed to be against a Liga MX All-Star team), Leagues Cup, and Campeones Cup will not be played in 2020. Los Angeles Football Club, who were supposed to host the All-Star Game this summer, will instead host it in 2021.

Serie A teams cleared for group training ahead of make-or-break May 28 vote - ESPNFC

Serie A teams are back on the training field as the league hopes to do enough to prompt a vote next week to resume the season.

How the USMNT’s emotional first match after 9/11 spurred their 2002 World Cup run - The Athletic

I still remember that match against Jamaica. It was an emotional one that helped the United States Men’s National Team qualify for the 2002 World Cup, and it helped pave their success at that tournament.

Coronavirus: Watford and Burnley confirm positive tests - BBC

Watford and Burnley are teams that confirm they have positive coronavirus cases at their clubs, prompting Watford captain Troy Deeney to declare that he would not be training to protect the health and safety of his family. We will see if others follow suit should the virus penetrate their ranks in the days and weeks to come.

SSFC Podcast: The return of the Bundesliga, Sergiño Dest’s rumored destinations - SSFC

I’ve recently rebooted the Stars & Stripes FC Podcast! If you need a complement to the awesome Filibuster, come check it out! This week, with the return of the Bundesliga, I recap all the action with the Americans that played over the weekend, and I discuss where Sergiño Dest could end up next season and where I think the best place really is for him to play.

Finally, looks like Loudoun County has altered Loudoun United’s lease in light of the coronavirus hiatus. The team had requested the option to defer lease payments, and the Board of Supervisors will work with the team to make a new lease for the team.

That’s all, that’s it. As I exit, if you’re fancying a USWNT shirt and you want to represent one of the players on the field, Breaking T has new shirts with player names on the back. Sorry, no Rose Lavelle available, unfortunately.

Enjoy the day!