Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC franchise will play its home games at Rentschler Field in East Hartford with a September 27 game opposed to Columbus.
MlS is in the process of finalizing protocols for the rest of the normal season and more matches are expected to be announced soon.
The announcement was made Friday through Governor Ned Lamont.
“The Pratt Stadium
Lately there are no plans to allow enthusiasts to participate in the games played at Rentschler Field, according to the Capital Region Development Authority. The CRDA, a quasi-public entity in the state, manages Rentschler.
“I’ve finished guessing what COVID means to all of us, but first and for all of us, and almost speaking, it’s a fanless operation,” said Michael Freimuth, CEO of THE CRDA. “It was actually done because the groups could not access foreign restrictions at this time and they are left betting their games in the American leagues. There were three Canadian groups on that stage and he came up to us.
“It’s meant not to have fans. We’ll rent the construction because we don’t use it [with UConn not playing football this fall because of COVID-19]. This will encourage hotel nights for the team and visiting groups and they must implement all the rules and regulations related to COVID that is being launched by the Ministry of State Health. “
MLS also announced that the Montreal Impact box will be the Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, and the Vancouver Whitecaps will play at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon.
Rentschler Field, shown in a 2013 photo, will host the Toronto FC home games on September 27.
Rentschler Field, shown in a 2013 photo, will host the Toronto FC home games on September 27.
Rentschler Field, shown in a 2013 photo, will host the Toronto FC home games on September 27.
Rentschler Field, shown in a 2013 photo, will host the Toronto FC home games on September 27.
Connecticut and Hartford officials had in the past contacted the Toronto Blue Jays to ask them to play at homes in Dunkin’ Donuts Park in Hartford. Instead, the Blue Jays made the decision to use Sahlen Field in Buffalo, New York, the site of the Toronto Triple-A affiliate, the 60-game MLB season.
“Our state has worked incredibly hard to move our economy through this pandemic, and seeing a professional sports franchise like Toronto FC in Hartford domain as its home is a confirmation that our strategy has worked,” said the commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Economy and Community. Development, David Lehman said in a statement. We are proud to be the transitional home of our new Canadian partner.
Toronto’s active squad, the U. S. national team, consists of Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley.
“As we continue to work with government officials on our protocols, it is vital for the club to have our own home away from home in this next phase,” said Toronto FC President Bill Manning. “The state of Connecticut has opened its arms to us and my congratulations to David Lehman and Governor Lamont for their leadership here.
Rentschler Field hosted friendlies for U. S. men’s and women’s national team systems. But it’s not the first time And the site of Landon Donovan’s last appearance with the US national team is the united States. But it’s not the first time In 2014.
“They recognize it’s a smart football market,” Freimuth said. “They like Rentschler. Rentschler settles very well with professional football. He’s got a wonderful turf field, he’s won well in the foreign matches we’ve played and very well. “designed for those matches. The local team of the usL [Hartford Athletic] is doing well, so it is a football market and identifies as such. But the terrain was smart in what Toronto was looking for and it was also an advantage.
New York City FC faced Houston at Rentschler on September 23, 2017. Nine of the 14 foreign friendlys involving the United States at Rentschler Field attracted more than 20,000 enthusiasts. While not having enthusiasts has an effect on the game day environment There is a possibility that Rentschler will consolidate itself as an option if the MLS is looking for a position to position one of its franchises.