Thrillers and Classics Headline MLS Heineken=C2=AE Rivalry Week: this Week in MLS
May 11, 2020 - Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
MLS is bringing fans a groundbreaking new way to experience the league's fiercest rivalries and most thrilling head-to-head meetings during MLS Heineken® Rivalry Week, as media partners in the U.S., Canada and throughout the world showcase more than 20 classic rivalry matchups from May 11-17 on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, FS1, TUDN, TSN, TVA Sports, MLSsoccer.com and more.
The robust slate of rivalry pairings includes a Wednesday night tripleheader on ESPN2 that features Atlanta United's Josef Martinez breaking the single-season scoring record against Orlando City SC (Aug. 24, 2018) before a come-from-behind New York Derby victory for the New York Red Bulls over New York City FC (June 28, 2015). The evening concludes with Clash in Cascadia between the Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders FC (June 25, 2017), who each overcame a deficit, and each scored a stoppage-time goal in alternate halves.
Throughout the week, MLS digital and social channels will celebrate rivalries through exclusive content and unique experiences that will virtually bring together passionate fans with live chats with MLS stars, rivalry-themed trivia nights, and more. MLS's flagship programs, including Player Chat Live, The Kickaround, Extratime driven by Continental, and The Call Up, will also highlight rivalry-themed content and host a variety of fan-engagement opportunities.
Fans can join the conversation on social media by using #RivalryWeek, the official Heineken® Rivalry Week hashtag.
Additional MLS clubs begin voluntary individual workouts
Additional MLS clubs will begin voluntary individual workouts this week at club training grounds.
MLS Unites to Celebrate Creativity
From music, to art, to dance, and beyond, MLS clubs are sharing and encouraging the creative love that is needed now more than ever. Throughout the week, the league and clubs will also have a series of digital content showcasing ways our MLS community is celebrating creativity. A sampling is detailed below, with more to be featured on @MLS, @MLSWORKS, and club social platforms, as well as available HERE.
D.C. United - Midfielder Felipe Martins of D.C. United and his wife are having fun staying safe at home while dancing.
Portland Timbers - Diego Valeri shows off his guitar skills with his daughter Connie to raise money for the Oregon Food Bank.
Sporting Kansas City - From coloring pages and word searches, to mazes, crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles, Sporting's Kid Zone helps the next generation of soccer stars keep their mental game strong during this challenging time.
Seattle Sounders FC - Sounders FC invited fans to take part in an opportunity to decorate their walls with truly one-of-a-kind pieces of art. Rave Green goalkeeper Stefan Frei and Roger Bennett , co-host of the popular podcast and NBCSN program Men in Blazers, came together to create portraits of one another for auction, with all proceeds supporting the Seattle Sounders FC Relief Fund , which has been established to provide financial support to individuals and small businesses in the neighborhoods surrounding CenturyLink Field that have been impacted by the COVID-19 public health crisis.
Stage is Set for Championship Sunday of eMLS Tournament Special presented by Coca-Cola® and PlayStation®
The final four is set for the eMLS Tournament Special Championship, after Atlanta United defender Franco Escobar and eMLS teammate Paulo Neto won Week 4 of the competition last Sunday. The champions will be decided this Sunday, May 17, with Atlanta United, Los Angeles Football Club, Sporting Kansas City and New York City FC facing off in EA SPORTS™ FIFA 20 competition.
Sunday's matches saw a pair of 4-0 results to start play, with Toronto FC midfielder Marky Delgado and eMLS competitor PhilB94 defeating Vancouver Whitecaps FC over two legs, and Escobar and Paulo Neto rolling past Orlando City SC. In the bracket final, Delgado and Escobar played to a 1-1 draw in the first leg, before Neto scored goals with both Pity and Josef MartÃnez to overcome an early TFC lead from PhilB94, and send Atlanta United to Championship Sunday.
In Sunday's Champions Bracket, Escobar and Neto will face the winner of the Week 3 Tournament, NYCFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson and eMLS FIFA Pro Chris Holly. On the other side of the bracket, Week 1 winner LAFC (Adama Diomande and Martin 'RemiMartinn' Oregel) will face off against Week 2 winner Sporting KC (Wan Kuzain and Alexander 'ALEKZANDUR' Betancourt).
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Major League Soccer Stories from May 11, 2020
- Nashville SC Players Partake in Voluntary Individual Workouts at Currey Ingram Academy - Nashville SC
- Minnesota United to Conduct Individual Voluntary Workouts at National Sports Center - Minnesota United FC
- Thrillers and Classics Headline MLS Heineken=C2=AE Rivalry Week: this Week in MLS - MLS
- FC Cincinnati Weekly Update: May 11, 2020 - FC Cincinnati
- Whitecaps FC Live Skills Clinics Welcome Clubs Across Canada and Abroad - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- Atlanta United Training Update: May 11 - Atlanta United FC
- LAFC Launch the 'LAFC Food Delivery Service' Program - Los Angeles FC
- MLS Heineken Rivalry Week to Showcase Classic Matches and Groundbreaking New Digital Fan Experiences - MLS
- this Week in Orlando City History: May 11th-17th - Orlando City SC
- Columbus Crew SC's Broadcast Schedule of Re-Airs: May 11-17 - Columbus Crew SC
- Atlanta United's Franco Escobar and Paulo Neto advance to Championship Sunday of eMLS Tournament Special - Atlanta United FC
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
