New York City FC delay their trip to Orlando due to Covid-19 cases
On Monday 14 December, New York City Football Club announced that three players had tested positive for coronavirus ahead of their match against Tigres UANL.
The Concacaf Champions League resumes today with the quarter-final between Tigres UANL and New York City FC. In the first leg the Liga MX team defeated the MLS outfit 1-0, so they have the advantage in the second leg and the match will take place in Orlando, Florida.
Covid-19 cases among players
Prior to this game, NYCFC reported three cases of coronavirus, so they had to make emergency loans. The MLS team acquired goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar on loan from Orlando City as the fourth keeper option, Sean Johnson, didn't travel because he was in close contact with the players who tested positive.
"I'm sad to say I won't be joining the team in Orlando as I was declared a close contact of one of the players who recently tested positive for covid," Johnson said on Twitter. "I have tested negative to this point and hope I continue to do so."
Ronny Deila, head coach of NYCFC, said that second goalkeeper Luis Barraza will take Johnson’s place in the starting XI and Stajduhar will be the second option in case of an injury. "Luis has been fighting for two years to be close to the team and I'm very happy now that he gets a chance," Deila said.
