Major League Soccer (MLS) has earmarked 22nd August as the restart date for its 2020 regular season, according to the Athletic, reports, www.sportspromedia.com/.

The digital subscription-based sports outlet said MLS is working towards a 'tentative plan' that would see teams play an initial six games until 13th September before a second phase of fixtures take place from 16th September to 8th November.

A total of 18 teams – nine each from the Eastern and Western Conferences – would then advance to the post-season, which would kick-off on 20th November and wrap up on 12th December.

MLS's three Canadian teams – Toronto FC, the Vancouver Whitecaps and Montreal Impact - would only play against each other in Canada during the first phase of the plan, the Athletic said, adding that the hope is those sides would be cleared to travel to the US by the time the second phase comes into play.

In any case, the Athletic noted that travel will be made as minimal as possible under the plan, which reportedly will not be finalised until next week at the earliest.

The North American elite soccer league's ongoing MLS is Back Tournament is due to conclude on 11th August, which would leave less than two weeks between the final of that competition and the resumption of regular season games.