Sports Thursday, July 23, 2020 15 Portman, Williams celebrities behind new women’s pro soccer team AFP The founding investor Buehler, Tisha Venturini- such as the “Time’s Up” move- substantive impact on our LOS ANGELES Hoch and Abby Wambach; ment against sexual abuse in community, committing to group includes Williams’ actors Eva Longoria, Uzo the entertainment industry, extending access to sports for A group of celebrities led by young daughter Olympia, Aduba, Jennifer Garner and said that the franchise hopes young people in Los Angeles.” Hollywood star Natalie Port- and several former US Jessica Chastain; venture “to make a The NWSL, which had man has founded a women’s Women’s National capitalist Kara Nortman; its inaugural season in 2013, professional soccer team set and Reddit co-founder was the first US professional to debut in 2022, the wom- Team players including Alexis Ohanian. sports league to restart ac- en’s pro soccer league said Mia Hamm, Lauren “Today we take an excit- tivities amid the novel on Tuesday. Cheney Holiday and ing step by announcing the coronavirus pandemic. Big-names involved in first women majority-owned The league’s Chal- the effort include tennis Abby Wambach. and led ownership group,” lenge Cup tournament megastar Serena Williams, Gaming entrepreneur said Portman, who won an has been held since as well as Hollywood stars Julie Uhrman will be Oscar in 2011 for her role in June 27, with teams Jessica Chastain, Eva Lon- the franchise president. “Black Swan.” playing in two sta- goria, America Ferrera and “Sports are such a joyful diums in the state of Jennifer Garner. way to bring people togeth- Utah without specta- “A majority woman- “the group has formally er, and this has the power tors and without some founded group” led by coined itself ‘Angel City’ in Serena Williams and husband Alexis Ohanian – as well as their to make tangible change for of its biggest stars, Portman “has secured the honor of its planned home young daughter Olympia – are all part-owners of a new football club. female athletes both in our including Megan exclusive right to bring a in Los Angeles,” the state- community and in the pro- Rapinoe. professional women’s soc- ment said. The founding investor Abby Wambach. Gaming en- fessional sphere,” she said. The tournament’s cer team to Los Angeles to It would become the 11th group includes Williams’ trepreneur Julie Uhrman will Portman, who has final game is scheduled kick off in Spring 2022,” the team in the NWSL. Current- young daughter Olympia, be the franchise president. been active in causes for Sunday. National Women’s Soccer ly, there are nine teams in the and several former US Wom- Others included are for- The United States is a League said. league, but one other team – en’s National Team play- mer US women’s national Oscar-winning Hollywood powerhouse of women’s The team’s formal name the Louisville FC – is set to ers including Mia Hamm, team stars Mia Hamm, Julie actor Natalie Portman. soccer and the current is yet to be announced, but rejoin the league in 2021. Lauren Cheney Holiday and Foudy, Joy Fawcett, Rachel (AFP) world champions. Man Utd hold Chinese West Ham 1-1, Super edge closer This is our moment: Liverpool League to to Champions kick-off after League captain Jordan Henderson six-months AFP MANCHESTER in 2011, taking over from Roy delay While rejoicing on winning the first Premier Hodgson, and he was respon- MANCHESTER United edged League title for Liverpool since 1990, sible for signing Henderson DPA closer to qualifying for the Jordan Henderson also reflected from Sunderland when he was BEIJING Champions League as Ma- just 21-years-old. son Greenwood rescued a 1-1 on the past criticisms which he used as The England international, GERMANY, England, Italy and draw against West Ham on motivational fuel to lift two other trophies now 30, is sidelined for the Spain have completed or all Wednesday. season with a knee injury. He but completed their domestic Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side last year in the 2019 Champions League reflected on the past criticisms football season amid the coro- fell behind to Michail Antonio’s and the FIFA Club World Cup in Qatar. that he used as motivational navirus pandemic while China penalty in the first half at Old fuel to lift two other trophies is only just about to start. Trafford. But teenage forward last year in the 2019 Cham- And the Chinese Super Greenwood struck after the in- DPA son who we all love,” Hender- pions League and the Club League will also not follow the terval to lift United into third LONDON son told the BBC. World Cup in Qatar. Bundesliga, Premier League, place in the Premier League. “Waiting 30 years is a long “Ultimately, you will get Serie A and Primera Division United are ahead of fourth LIVERPOOL captain Jordan time. They’ve had good man- criticised, whether that’s in the who used the traditional for- placed Chelsea on goal differ- Henderson says being award- agers and good teams in the past, now or in the future as a mat of home and away games ence, but the Blues would re- ed the Premier League trophy past and it just hasn’t hap- footballer,” said Henderson. for the remaining games. gain third if they avoid defeat by club legend Sir Kenny Dal- pened, so to be part of a team “People (were) telling me The only similarity is that against champions Liverpool glish later on Wednesday will that has been able to do it is a I was not good enough or not the matches in China from later on Wednesday. “make it more special.” really special feeling.” big enough for Sunderland, Saturday onwards will also be Regardless of the result The Reds played Chelsea Liverpool were the runa- Liverpool, England - I’ve al- held behind closed doors. at Anfield, United will finish in their final home game and way leaders from January, ways had questions marks. The cautious Chinese are in the top four if they draw or were then to be ceremonially with as much as a 25-point “As you get older, you just rather playimng in hubs, like win in their decisive showdown crowned as Premier League lead over second-placed Man- use it in a different way. Now I basketball’s NBA and ice-hock- with fifth placed Leicester on champions in a special pres- chester City. “I don’t normally look for the criticism because ey’s NHL in North America. Sunday. United are one point entation at Anfield. like referencing the length of it gives me the extra motiva- All 16 teams will be play- ahead of Leicester going into Juergen Klopp’s men have time Liverpool has endured tion to prove people wrong.” ing in two cities, Dalian and their last game of the season at had a record-breaking season before claiming this title,” said When Liverpool were Sozhou, in two groups of the King Power Stadium. Sol- by winning the title in June Klopp wrote in his matchday confirmed as champions last eight. The top four of the skjaer’s team were well below with seven games to spare – programme notes ahead of the Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson lifts the 2019 FIFA Club World month, there were some inju- round robin stage advance their best against West Ham, the earliest, in terms of fixtures Chelsea game. “So often when Cup trophy at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha in December. ries after a large gathering. into a championship round, but they are now unbeaten in 13 completed, that a team has working to clinch it my mes- Henderson urged fans to and the bottom four into a league matches and will com- ever claimed the richest league sage was to ignore the weight Wednesday’s presentation will title. They sacrificed, individu- stay at home and obey corona- relegation round. plete an impressive surge into in European football. It will of that gap.” be a moment to savour. ally and collectively, and they virus restrictions for “the health The league reported on the Champions League if they be Liverpool’s first league title However, their wait was “This achievement is their have their rewards. This is our and safety of the country.” Wednesday that all 1,870 Cov- emerge unscathed at Leicester. since 1990 when Dalglish was a prolonged with just two wins achievement. Their focus. moment. We have all earned it. “They might not be in id-90 tests conducted ahead SCORELINE: Manchester player and manager of the club. from clinching the title in Their dedication. Their talent. So embrace it and cherish it.” Anfield tonight in person of the start have returned United 1 (Greenwood 51) West “He’s an iconic figure at March due to coronavirus. Their hunger,” Klopp added Dalglish had a second but their spirit can be felt,” negative, and teams will have Ham 1 (Antonio 45+2-pen). this football club, a huge per- Manager Klopp says “That’s what has delivered this spell as Liverpool’s manager added Klopp. to follow strict safety and hy- giene measures. Players and officials will be confined to their hotels, the training field and stadi- ums only, and harsh sanction beIN SPORTS viewers in for exhilarating sports offering would be imposed on those who breach the regulations. take place on Saturday 1 Au- until Sunday 13 September. “Our measures are very Coupe de France, gust at the famous Wembley The worlds most famous strict, and those who violate stadium as London rivals Ar- tennis players will be competing them could be kicked out of FA Cup final, senal and Chelsea go head to against each other in one of the the league for this season,” head for a chance to win the toughest tennis tournaments.