Inter Miami among MLS clubs making careful return to training

David Beckham's Major League Soccer team made a welcome return to training even if a raft of coronavirus protocols brutally laid bare the problems of battling a global pandemic and resuming normal service.

Inter Miami were one of four MLS franchises to have players working out at their training facilities for the first time since the league was suspended on March 12 as the COVID-19 crisis wreaked havoc upon the sporting world.

MLS, who have suspended play until June 8 at the earliest, are allowing all clubs to have their players return based on advice from their local and state health authorities.

Orlando, Atlanta and Sporting Kansas also took up the option yet during a video call with reporters, Inter Miami sporting director Paul McDonough, sounded a note of caution for anyone hoping top level sport in the United States is heading for a swift return.

McDonough was delighted to have virtually a full squad reporting back for duty, with players only allowed on site after answering an MLS health and safety questionnaire that asked if they'd had a fever, felt ill or had a cough recently.

Players parked three spaces away from one another in the car park and were greeted by staff members wearing personal protective equipment.

Their temperatures were then taken and once an individual, one hour training session was completed, they departed in a similar manner.

While the United Soccer League -- which is effectively the second tier in the United States -- had already introduced 'non-contact training in small groups,' MLS are moving forward with extreme caution.

"We split the group into two segments and split the field into four," said McDonough who has been in constant contact with Beckham via Zoom.

"There were two entry points to the fields and a trainer in PPE would come to the car, take their temperature , sanitize their hands and then the players would then put on a face mask and go to their assigned quadrant in the facility.

"We funnelled them all through, they did their work and the coaches were present while respecting social distancing barriers.

"No player was allowed in our building."
- Protected environment - =========================
"So we know we have great facilities and can put them in here in a protected environment while social distancing to keep them safe."