With the MLS soccer season showing no sign of starting soon, a five-week eMLS Tournament Special will be broadcast on FOX Sports 1 and Fox Deportes at 7.00pm ET from April 19th.
Taking place on PlayStation, the eMLS Tournament Special will feature players such as former Manchester United pair Nani and Chicharito Hernandez, who are both taking part. With 12 franchises involved, here’s how the full tournament schedule looks:
As you can see, each pro footballer will duke it out with the aid of a pro eSports player, and it is week 1 for the exciting appearance of Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez.
Each week will see one set of winners advance to a final week showdown of the four champion pairs. Camilo Durana, who is the Vice President of Properties and Events for MLS, spoke with passion on the event in an MLS statement:
“The eMLS Tournament Special represents the spirit of MLS Unites by entertaining fans and giving back to our communities. We’re thrilled many of the league’s top players are joining our eMLS participants to compete and also provide benefit for those on the front lines. We are also thankful to FOX Sports and all of our partners for their collaboration on the innovative series that will be both fun to watch and make a difference.”
With players including L.A. Galaxy’s Hernandez and Orlando City’s Nani raising funds for Feeding America and Food Banks Canada throughout, it represents big news that a FIFA 20 Tournament such as this will be broadcast on national television, showing just how much the mainstream viewing public in America miss their regular sports broadcasts.
The series will be hosted in-studio by big names too. FOX Sports’ former Houston Dynamo and Bolton Wanderers player Stuart Holden, Rachel Bonnetta and Rodolfo Landeros will present the action, with commentary from Mike LaBelle. Donations will be the name of the game, with fundraising a main aim of the coverage.
With two legs to each match-up, four clubs from the franchise competing every week and a massive five weeks of play to enjoy, the eMLS Tournament Special is sure to offer some much-needed relief and cheer to Americans who are missing their favourite sports in a time that is demanding for anyone.
Who’ll take down the inaugural eMLS Tournament Special? We have no idea, but it’s going to be a lot of fun finding out!
