"We are so excited for the day when, safely, we have our fans back in the stadium" - Bob Bradley

Los Angeles FC started their training camp this Monday ahead of the beginning of the 2021 Major League Soccer regular season that is set to begin on 17 April. The team’s preseason will also include an insterquad scrimmage on 19 March and two friendlies against the New England Revolution on 3 and 10 April at the Banc of California stadium.

Fans to return at a limited capacity

Due to the coronavirus pandemic in the United States, Major League Soccer lost around $1 billion in revenue last year since the season had to be played behind closed doors, according to the league's commissioner, Don Garber. But things could change for this season and fans are expected to return at a limited capacity, at least for the first few months of the campaign.

“We are so excited for the day when, safely, we have our fans back in the stadium because their atmosphere has been so important for LAFC from the beginning. When you see some fans back in the stadium our players will start thinking about many things, because a lot of them have played a key role during the pandemic, like essential workers,” said Bob Bradley in Monday’s video conference.

Last Friday the state of California announced part of the measures to start reopening outdoor entertainment events starting 1 April amid the coronavirus pandemic. This means that stadiums can reopen their doors for fans for sporting events as long as they follow the recommendations from health experts in the state.

It is expected that in the next few weeks the California Department of Health will establish a set of rules for fans to attend sporting events. It is expected that in the beginning of the 2021 Major League Soccer season in California, only season ticket members are going to be allowed to return in-person matches.