Nick Besler, Zac MacMath Cautiously Optimistic About Possible MLS Return

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Real Salt Lake players Nick Besler and Zac MacMath are both cautiously optimistic that the season will return. However, both admit that more answers are required before Major League Soccer can make a decision on whether or not it will be safe enough for the players to return to the pitch.

A proposal to bring the league to ESPN’s Wide World Of Sports complex as soon as June 1st has been circulating the internet as a possible solution for the league return to playing games.

RSL sign @RealMonarchs captain Nick Besler: https://t.co/Dwm1um4h2B pic.twitter.com/xeX7O3jtT1

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) August 24, 2017

“It seemed like it (the proposal to move to Florida) might have been a little rushed in terms of the turnaround, having it start on Just 1st,” Besler said. “It is a big ask for all of the players to spend that many days away from their families.”

“I think it is interesting, I just don’t think there is enough information to make it safe and make sure that the quality of the training and the games is up to par with what would be considered regular-season games,” MacMath said. “I also think the length of time is a bit much and it would be pretty hard for guys with families, or even dogs, to be away from their families for that extended amount of time would be difficult.

Furthermore, both Besler and MacMath agreed that the players require four to six weeks of some sort of pre-season in order for the players to feel adequate about safely playing soccer games again.

“Fitness would be the number one concern and making sure people are fit enough and making sure they are not at risk of injury upon a return,” Besler said. “Four to six weeks I think we would be ready to return,” he added.

The RSL duo is also very cautious when it comes to returning to the field safely. They still recognize that there are many questions that still require answers. Such as, how many tests will be available for the players? What happens if/when a player tests positive? And maybe most importantly, how big is the risk if the league

👏 Congrats to @ZacMacMath and his wife Trish on welcoming their first child to the world! pic.twitter.com/r2ixn0THz8

— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) September 21, 2018

Playing soccer is a priority to every professional MLS player, although, if playing puts themselves and their families at too greater risk, then the league will not return.

Tom Hackett is a Utah and Real Salt Lake Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the It’s Utah’s World Podcast (Utah Football themed) and The Lion’s Den Podcast (Real Salt Lake themed). Follow him on Twitter: @TomCantHackett.