CHICAGO – The National Women’s Soccer League announced Wednesday that five individuals associated with teams received confirmed positive COVID-19 tests during the first week of preseason.

The league did not provide the names of the individuals.

The NWSL’s 10 teams began the 2021 preseason Feb. 1. All players and designated staff were required to complete a seven-day quarantine and receive a negative COVID-19 test prior to participating in any team activities.

Five individuals out of more than 600 tested the week of Feb. 1 received confirmed positive results for COVID-19, including three players and two staff members.

All necessary contact tracing was conducted. The individuals who received positive results, as well as any close contacts, are self-quarantining and following the guidance provided by their respective medical staffs and the league’s medical protocols.

The NWSL will continue to provide COVID-19 testing updates weekly beginning Saturday, Feb. 20.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.