Red Bulls delay travel plans after staff member has possible positive covid-19 test

The New York Red Bulls have postponed their charter flight to Florida for the MLS is Back Tournament. As announced by the club, an undisclosed staff member had a test for the novel coronavirus come back with an “inconclusive” result and has been quarantined. The remainder of the team still plans to travel to Orlando following additional testing procedures.

This news comes on the heels of speculation that FC Dallas may be dropping out of the tournament altogether after several players have tested positive, leaving their ability to field a full squad for the tournament that begins next week. As of Friday morning, several other teams besides Red Bulls have also delayed their entries this week, with an additional confirmation coming that a member of the Columbus Crew first team has come down with virus since entering the much-publicized “bubble” set up by MLS at the Disney sporting resort.

While not directly related to the delay of the team’s travel plans, one Red Bulls player has disclosed that he contracted the virus over the course of the suspension period. In a statement to website HispanicSportsMedia, midfielder Cristian Cásseres Jr stated that he “overcame an asymptomatic coronavirus” during the suspension. Cásseres had remained in the New York area during the onset of pandemic this spring.