#Red Bulls hopeful MLS bubble problems will decrease

After spending 11¹/₂ years with English Premier League side Wolverhampton FC, Kevin Thelwell was appointed to the newly created Head of Sport position for the New York Red Bulls in February. Just over a month later, however, the MLS had to shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Now, the Red Bulls are scheduled to play Atlanta United in their first game as part of the MLS is Back tournament on Saturday. The tournament is taking place in Orlando, where the players and staff are attempting to maintain a “bubble” at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex.

The bubble already has been threatened, however, as two teams — FC Dallas and Nashville FC — already have withdrawn from the tournament after multiple players tested positive.

After watching his former Premier League restart its season largely without a hitch, Thelwell said he is optimistic his new league can rebound and do the same.

“My hope would be, is that as we progress to the games portion, which is what we’re in now, we’ll have less and less problems, and we’ll be able to focus down on the soccer,” Thelwell said Friday. “And that’s not too dissimilar to where the Premier League was at the very start. They had a process whereby they had several players test positive in the first instance, but then they managed that process very well. And of course, I think the MLS has managed Dallas and Nashville as well as they possibly could as well.”

Defender Aaron Long said the news about FC Dallas and Nashville FC was “worrisome” on Thursday. Despite the early concerning signs, however, the new Red Bulls boss said he has total confidence in the MLS and its safety protocols.

“My experience in the MLS is that it’s not too dissimilar [than the Premier League] really. If you’re asking me what I think of the bubble here and the way in which this has been organized and handled, I think the MLS has done a fantastic job,” Thelwell said. “The transportation to get from our state to Orlando was excellent. The testing process and protocol was very well organized and very prompt. The hotel is well-managed and well-coordinated, and we’re well supported and well-serviced.”