4 Phoenix Rising FC players test positive for COVID-19

Four Phoenix Rising FC players have tested positive for COVID-19.

Phoenix Rising general manager Bobby Dulle made the announcement during Wednesday’s Zoom call with media and manager Rick Schantz.

Dulle would not identify which individuals have tested positive for the coronavirus, but did say that they were all asymptomatic and under the care and guidance of team physicians at Mayo Clinic.

Due to the positive tests, Wednesday’s training session was canceled.

“I’m encouraged that our protocols seem to be working as we have quarantined those that tested positive and implemented our procedures for those that were in close contact,” Dulle said.

“While we would have loved to start full-sided training today, the health and safety of our players, as well as the community that we live in remains our highest priority.”

Wednesday also marked the first day in which USL Championship clubs could return to full-contact training.

Dulle added that Phoenix Rising intends to hold a full-contact training session on Thursday for the first time since March.

“We will continue to educate ourselves and use these moments as opportunities to learn,” Dulle said.

“We anticipate these players to return to full team training in the near future and we greatly appreciate all the efforts of the USL to put protocols in place to help us manage these situations and ultimately put us on a path to playing games next month.”

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