MLS

The players of FC Dallas and Nashville SC will remain in the locker room during the playing of the national anthem ahead of Sunday's MLS regular-season game between the teams. 

Angel Madison of the Dallas Morning News shared the statement from FC Dallas:

Players from both clubs chose to kneel during the anthem in protest of systemic racism and police brutality before Wednesday's match between the teams and were met with some boos from the Dallas fans. One person, who was ejected from the stadium, threw a bottle onto the pitch. 

"You can't even have support from your own fans in your own stadium," FC Dallas defender Reggie Cannon said, per ESPN. "It's baffling to me. As a team we try to give the best possible product on the field, and these last six months have been absolute hell for us. Absolute hell."

He added: "We had someone chanting U.S.A., but they don't understand what kneeling means. They don't understand why we're kneeling. They can't see the reason. They think we're the ignorant ones. It's incredibly frustrating. I'm sorry to have this tone, but you have to call it for what it is."

FC Dallas later said Cannon had been the recipient of "racist comments and death threats" following the match. Both the club and MLS Commissioner Don Garber released statements condemning those comments and threats:

Nashville will be looking to follow up Wednesday's 1-0 win when the teams meet again Sunday evening at 8:30 p.m. ET. 

The Portland Timbers are your MLS is Back Tournament champions.

Led by goals from Larrys Mabiala and Dario Zuparic, the Timbers knocked off Orlando City 2-1 Tuesday evening to win the title. Mauricio Pereyra scored the lone goal for Orlando City.

While the MLS is Back Tournament was technically a preseason event, the win was nonetheless huge for Portland, clinching it a berth in the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League. The event was also a resounding success after a rocky start that saw both the FC Dallas and Nashville SC withdraw because of a number of positive test results for COVID-19.

No games were canceled during the actual tournament, however, and the league didn't register a single positive test result in the past 32 days. The league's plan to gather all of the team's in a bubble environment, without fans in attendance for the tournament, worked quite well.

Portland also took home $300,000 in prize money for winning the tourney.

As for the game itself, it's rare that two center backs provide all the scoring for a club—Portland's Sebastian Blanco had been the team's best player heading into Tuesday's final, with three goals and five assists in the tournament—but such was the case Tuesday.

Mabiala provided the first in the 27th minute off a brilliant free kick into the box from Diego Valeri. All Mabiala had to do was peel off his defender and head down the service, bouncing in the game's first goal past a helpless Pedro Gallese.

Pereyra pulled one back in the 39th minute, however, after Nani found him with a low cross in the box. Pereyra managed to corral the pass, fend off a defender, regather his balance and smash home the equalizing goal.

But another set piece in the 66th minute was the killing blow for Orlando City.

This time, Jeremy Ebobisse deflected a ball in the box toward Zuparic after a scramble off a corner. Zuparic showed some quick reflexes to redirect the ball past a kick-save effort from Gallese.

The Timbers' experience shone through in the win, as their normally stout defense mostly contained the dangerous Orlando City attack, led by Nani, and they capitalized on opportunities from set pieces.

The MLS will now turn to its regular season, which is set to begin Wednesday in Frisco, Texas, when FC Dallas hosts Nashville SC. The league will attempt to hold its season in various local markets, include travel between cities, largely be held without fans and include a comprehensive testing program.

"We have to see if it works," MLS Commissioner Don Garber said, per ESPN. "If it does, we go through with it. If it doesn't, we'll have to adjust."

Major League Soccer announced Saturday it's going to resume the 2020 regular season Wednesday with matches taking place in teams' home markets following the completion of the MLS is Back Tournament, which took place in a "bubble" environment at the Disney World complex in Orlando, Florida.

MLS noted clubs are going to play 18 more regular-season games, though Dallas and Nashville will add three head-to-head meetings to that total after withdrawing from the tournament because of positive COVID-19 tests.

"Due to travel restrictions between the U.S. and Canada, Major League Soccer is working with the league's three Canadian clubs regarding plans to continue the regular season," the league stated. "More details on schedules for the Canadian teams will be announced in the near future."

The MLS is Back Tournament group games counted toward the regular-season standings. Less than two weeks of matches had taken place before play was halted in mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Portland and Orlando City will play in Tuesday's final.

MLS announced it will increase the playoff field from 14 clubs to 18. The postseason is scheduled to run from from Nov. 20 through Dec. 12 following the conclusion of the regular season.

The league is also planning to reduce the amount of time visiting teams spend on the road. In most cases, they will arrive and depart the opposing city on match day.

"At this time, the majority of the matches will be played without fans in attendance," the announcement stated. "MLS and club leadership are working with local health authorities and government officials on a plan for limited capacity at certain games where allowed."

MLS Commissioner Don Garber said Wednesday the league will carry over what it learned from putting together a successful bubble in Orlando to the resumption of a standard schedule.

"We learned a lot in the bubble," he told reporters. "We learned about testing. We learned about the incredible commitment of our players wearing masks and social distancing and taking real responsibility for keeping themselves safe. And that really will give us the sense of what we need to do to finish the season, have playoffs and have an MLS Cup before the end of the year."

Finishing the season by Dec. 12 should allow MLS to begin its 2021 campaign on time in late February or early March.

Portland Timbers and Orlando City will square off Tuesday in an unexpected MLS is Back tournament final matchup.

Portland was viewed as a trophy contender at ESPN's Wide World of Sports complex in Orlando, Florida, but it faced one of the toughest paths to a championship.

Giovanni Savarese's team earned first place in a group with tournament favorite Los Angeles FC and fought through three battles with Eastern Conference foes to reach the title match. 

Orlando City has looked like a completely different team from its five previous years of MLS existence. Manager Oscar Pareja has brought a new life into the squad and it established itself as one of the contenders from the tournament's opening game. 

Portland is looking to add to its trophy case that includes the 2015 MLS Cup, while Orlando is in search of its first-ever piece of hardware as an MLS club.

MLS is Back Tournament Final Information

Date: Tuesday, August 11

Start Time: 8:30 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN 

Live Stream: ESPN.com or ESPN app

Odds (via Oddschecker): Portland (+160, bet $100 to win $160), Orlando (+140)

Preview

Portland enters with an advantage in trophy-winning experience in MLS. 

Jorge Villafana, Diego Valeri and Diego Chara were part of the squad that hoisted MLS Cup in 2015. 

Seven members of the current squad were in the starting lineup for the 2018 MLS Cup defeat to Atlanta United. 

Valeri and Chara bring the most experience to the pitch, but it has been the players alongside them in midfield who have been Portland's top performers at MLS is Back. 

Sebastian Blanco produced one goal and three assists in the group stage and followed that up with two tallies and a pair of helpers in the knockout round. 

Eryk Williamson has been a revelation next to Chara, as he has made countless key stops in front of the back four to limit the threat on goal. 

In the semifinal win over Philadelphia, Williamson thwarted the movement of Brenden Aaronson and Jamiro Monteiro and made life hard on the Union to create anything in the middle of the attacking third. 

Williamson and Chara will be tasked with achieving that again Tuesday versus Nani, Chris Mueller and the Orlando City attack. 

Nani extended his incredible tournament form Thursday with a pair of goals in the semifinal win over Minnesota United.

The former Manchester United player has the most individual talent in either lineup, and the final result could come down to how he performs. 

If Portland continues to restrict space in the middle of the field, Nani and Mueller may be limited to sending in crosses from the wings, if they can get those off against Villafana and Chris Duvall. 

While Nani has received most of the spotlight, Orlando's defense has quietly put together a strong tournament. 

The Lions have not allowed more than one goal in any of their six games. In the 2019 season, they were gashed for 52 goals. 

Part of that success should be credited to Pareja, who won a Supporters' Shield and U.S. Open Cup with FC Dallas and reached the playoffs once with the Colorado Rapids.

If Ruan and others limit the attacking space left for Valeri, Blanco and others, we could see a defensive chess match in play Tuesday. 

Portland holds a slight advantage because of its previous experience, and if it contains the threat of Nani, all it could need is one goal in 90 minutes to earn the title.

Prediction: Portland 1-0

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90

Statistics obtained from MLSSoccer.com

Orlando City is heading to the MLS is Back Tournament Final, and it has Nani to thank. 

The veteran winger was brilliant Thursday night, notching a first-half brace in the club's 3-1 victory over Minnesota United. Mason Toye pulled one back for Minnesota United in the 83rd minute, but Benji Michel's breakaway goal in second-half stoppage time sealed Orlando City's place in the final.

Awaiting Orlando City are the Portland Timbers, who beat the Philadelphia Union 2-1 in the other semifinal Wednesday night. The two teams will fight for top billing Tuesday night at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. 

Both of Nani's goals were stunners. 

The first was set up by Robin Jansson's lofting ball over the top of the Minnesota United defense in the 36th minute. Nani took a brilliant first touch to corral the pass, shielded his defender and managed to poke his shot past goalkeeper Tyler Miller to open the scoring. 

His second was just as impressive, as he was given way too much space on the edge of the box in the 42nd minute and curled an inch-perfect screamer past a fully outstretched Miller to double the lead. 

Those goals earned Nani top marks on social media, and justifiably so:

It was those moments of brilliance that spoiled a performance from Minnesota that it'll be disappointed didn't lead to a place in the final. The teams split possession evenly, but United put up 17 shots to just seven for Orlando City. The difference was that just three of them were on target and only one found the back of the net, while Orlando City put four on target and buried three of them.  

One side was clinical, and one side was not. It was really that simple. 

Minnesota United's one goal was a nice effort from Toye, however, and an even better one from Kevin Molino, who set it up with a stunning, incisive pass:

That was the culmination of a steady torrent of threatening moments from United, including this free-kick that required a brilliant save from Pedro Gallese:

But despite mounting pressure, Orlando City held off those attacks before Michel finished Minnesota United for good. Unsurprisingly, it was Nani who sent him on his way:

The stiffer defense of the Portland Timbers awaits. Portland did well to stifle the Philadelphia Union's dangerous attack, packing the middle of the pitch and hitting Philly on the counter. It's hard to imagine the veteran Timbers giving Nani much space to operate with Tuesday. 

Granted, Nani proved he doesn't need much room to make a major difference. 

The Portland Timbers are heading to the MLS is Back Tournament Finals.

Led by goals from Jeremy Ebobisse and Sebastian Blanco, Portland knocked off the Philadelphia Union 2-1 Wednesday night. Andrew Wooten scored the lone goal for Philly.

That put Portland in the Tuesday final (8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN), where they'll await the winner of Orlando City SC vs. Minnesota United FC. Those clubs square off Thursday night at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

The Timbers struck first. After Philadelphia goalkeeper Andre Blake barely saved Marvin Loria's effort and pushed it out of play, Portland earned a corner. The Union lost track of Ebobisse, and he found himself with a free header in the middle of the box, burying it to put Portland ahead in the 13th minute.

The Union had a chance to tie the game in first-half stoppage time after Blanco fouled Jamiro Monteiro, but Sergio Santos skied the penalty over the goal, wasting a crucial chance for Philly.

The game settled into a familiar pattern in the second half. The Union held the majority of the possession but struggled to break down Portland's defense or create meaningful chances. The Timbers would then look to hit on the counter once they regained possession, taking advantage of the numbers Philly was pushing forward.

Portland's ability to neutralize Philly's dangerous, lightning-quick attacks proved crucial in keeping the Union off the board for most of the contest. Namely, young star Brenden Aaronson was mostly kept quiet, though the Union have struggled in the past to beat teams that bunker down and condense into the center of the pitch. It was a trend that repeated itself Wednesday, even as Philly held 62 percent of possession.

And it was another corner that led to the Timbers' second goal.

Yet again, Blake made a big save to create the corner, pushing aside Andy Polo's curling effort from the edge of the box. But on the ensuing corner, Dario Zuparic headed the ball down to the left of the box, finding Blanco all by his lonesome. The ball bounced up to Blanco's head, and he guided it into the net, doubling the Timbers' lead.

Blanco has had quite the tournament for the Timbers:

But the Union weren't done and dusted. After pushing several free kicks well over the frame earlier in the contest, Monteiro finally tested Steve Clark in the 85th minute, forcing a save from the goalkeeper. That created a big rebound for Wooten, who buried it to cut the deficit in half.

Moments later the Union appeared to have potentially drawn even, as Kacper Przybylko found the back of the net off a lovely pass by Aaronson. He was ruled offside on the pitch, and replay confirmed the call, though it was incredibly close and likely gave Timbers fans a brief heart stoppage.

It was a nervy final few moments for Portland, and Alejandro Bedoya had space outside of the box on what would prove to be the final touch of the game. But he hit a pedestrian shot that Clark easily saved, sending Portland to the final.