National Sports

TORONTO — Major League Soccer conceded Tuesday that a return to play in mid-May is "extremely unlikely," as is fitting in the entire season. And when play does resume, it will likely do so at empty stadiums.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As sponsor after sponsor dropped Kyle Larson after he used a racial slur during a live-streamed virtual race, his NASCAR team owner was backed into a corner.

A list of Canadian international and domestic sporting events impacted by COVID-19: OLYMPICS — 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics postponed until 2021.

Melissa Humana-Paredes finds comfort on the eight-by-eight-metre half of a beach volleyball court. Feeling the soft sand underfoot, the world champion begins to mentally decompress.

Canadian international Janine Beckie has signed a two-year contract extension with Manchester City. The 25-year-old's current deal was to expire at the end of June.

Edmonton Oilers chairman Bob Nicholson remembers Colby Cave as a tireless worker on the ice and in the community.

At 24, Ashley Lawrence is the reigning Canada Soccer female player of the year — an influential fullback/midfielder who has already won 91 caps for her country. But the Paris Saint-Germain player has other things on her mind these days.

TORONTO — Two-time Stanley Cup champion Kris Versteeg has retired after 11 NHL seasons. The 33-year-old forward from Lethbridge, Alta.

MINNEAPOLIS — Jacqueline Cruz-Towns, the mother of Minnesota Timberwolves centre Karl-Anthony Towns, died Monday due to complications from COVID-19 after more than a month of fighting the virus. She was 58.

NEW YORK — The NHL has extended its self-quarantine recommendation for an additional 15 days due to the COVID-19 pandemic.