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U.S. Soccer, MLS, NWSL To Implement Trial Program For Concussion Substitute

COMMERCE CITY, CO - JULY 29: Clint Dempsey #2 of MLS All-Stars works against Jan Vertonghen #5 of Tottenham Hotspur during the 2015 AT&T Major League Soccer All-Star game at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on July 29, 2015 in Commerce City, Colorado.

The U.S. Soccer, MLS, and the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) will be joining a joint trial program aiming to test concussion substitutes.

Last December, the concussion trial was approved by the International Football Association Board, who is in charge of approving rules for the game. The concussion trial will run through August, 2022.

In addition, U.S. Soccer is working to implement the pilot program across the United States. This includes the top Women’s and Men’s soccer leagues, the United Soccer League, and the National Independent Soccer Association.

“We do think it’s incredibly important for players and player safety, and it speaks to our role of being a leader in this area” said Jeff Agoos, vice president of competition for MLS. “And prioritizing health and safety above really anything else that we do as a league.”

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Normally a team is allowed three substitutions. However, because of the pandemic, it has increased to five substitutions. The concussion protocol will allow teams to have two additional substitutions for suspected concussions.

Concussion substitutions can still be made even if a player has returned to the field to play. If a team uses one of their concussion substitutes to sub out a player, then the passing team gets an additional sub.

“It was critical to come together as a sport with our professional leagues and proceed in this pilot program, prioritizing the well-being of our players above all,” Dr. George Chiampas, U.S. Soccer’s chief medical officer, said in a statement. “We’ve worked hard to raise awareness of head injuries in soccer over the last several years, and this change should go a long way in protecting players suspected of suffering a concussion.”

The concussion rule was used during the SheBeleives Cup in February. FIFA is currently debating whether to implement the rule during the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. The English Premier League has allowed the use of concussion substitutes since early February.

MLS will be using the concussion rule this season. In order to accommodate the use of the rule, the different cards will be used by officials to indicate subs. White cards are for a normal sub, pink for a concussion sub and blue for an additional sub.

The MLS regular season will start on April 16.