USA TODAY SportsMLS is Back Tournament winners and losers: Orlando City surprises, LA Galaxy and Atlanta United are duds
As the league moves forward with its regular season restarting (again), here's a look back at the best and worst from the MLS is Back Tournament.
AFPChampions League 'Final Eight' kicks off as PSG and Atalanta clash in Lisbon
Four months behind schedule because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Champions League has reached the quarter-final stage with Paris Saint-Germain taking on outsiders Atalanta in Lisbon on Wednesday in the first game of the 'Final Eight'. A straight knockout final tournament held in one place, akin to a World Cup or European Championship, was the only solution available to UEFA in order to complete its most lucrative club competition, suspended for five months from March until last weekend. Two-legged quarter-finals and semi-finals have been done away with, and all eight teams have come to Lisbon, where they are following strict health guidelines including regular testing.
The Associated PressPortland beats Orlando 2-1 to claim MLS is Back championship
Soaked in sweat and doused in water, the Portland Timbers hoisted the MLS is Back trophy at midfield and then headed toward a giant TV screen filled with fans cheering from afar. Dario Zuparic's first goal of the season gave Portland a 2-1 victory against Orlando in Major League Soccer's return tournament finale Tuesday night, capping a month-long event that showed sports can be played safely inside a bubble. ''I always think the more difficult the fight is the more beautiful the victory is at the end,'' said Portland's Larrys Mabiala, who scored the game's first goal.
Headlines
- Portland Timbers top Orlando City 2-1 to take MLS is Back Tournament title
- Window Shopping: Canadian star Jonathan David joins USMNT's Tim Weah at Lille
- Kathryn Nesbitt will become the first woman referee in MLS championship
- Messi's brilliance pushes Barcelona into Champions League quarterfinals
- Bayern cruises past Chelsea, reaches Champions League quarterfinals