MLS

Jaroslaw Niezgoda scored twice and added an assist as the Portland Timbers clinched a Major League Soccer playoff berth with a 5-2 victory against the visiting Los Angeles Galaxy on Wednesday night.

Diego Valeri, Eryk Williamson and Andy Polo also tallied and Yimmi Chara had three assists for the Timbers (10-5-5, 35 points). Portland moved into a second-place tie with the rival Seattle Sounders in the Western Conference, one point behind Sporting Kansas City.

El Tráfico took center stage on Sunday afternoon as Los Angeles FC hosted the LA Galaxy at an empty Banc of California Stadium but with thousands watching the action unfold on national television. 

The standings — LAFC entered fifth in the Western Conference, the Galaxy dead last — and ESPN.com’s promo photo juxtaposing Bradley Wright-Phillips and Sebastian Lletget told you everything you needed to know about how much has changed for these two clubs over the past year.

The top team in this year's Major League Soccer (MLS) regular season will receive the Supporters' Shield after all, in a reversal of an earlier decision, the league said on Friday.

The Supporters' Shield Foundation said last week that awarding the prize "goes against the spirit of the Shield," amid the COVID-19 pandemic that has disrupted the season and resulted in fans being barred from stadiums.

But the foundation has reversed the decision after discussions with the MLS Independent Supporters Council.

Christian Torres' 93rd minute goal gave Los Angeles FC a 1-1 draw with the Portland Timbers on Sunday night in Portland.

The 16-year-old forward, who entered as a substitute in the 75th minute, scored his first goal of the season, and LAFC stole two points from the Timbers (9-5-4, 31 points).

THE YOUNGEST PLAYER EVER TO SCORE FOR #LAFC.

Toronto FC coach Greg Vanney didn't mince words on Sunday when addressing the decision against presenting the Supporters' Shield this season.

The Supporters' Shield is given annually to the Major League Soccer team with the best regular-season record. The decision against handing out the award was reached by the Supporters' Shield Foundation, which gives out the honor on behalf of the Independent Supporters Council. The award was created by supporters in the formative years of MLS and awarded in 1998 for the first time.

After a dreadful start to their season, the Los Angeles Galaxy will make a change at head coach, according to multiple reports in Ireland.

Former Galaxy standout and Ireland international Robbie Keane will replace Guillermo Barros Schelotto.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the Galaxy did not refute the reports outright, instead characterizing them as a "rumor."

The Galaxy are in the midst of a six-game losing streak, the most recent coming in a 4-0 thrashing at home by the San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday. They are also winless in their last seven games.