National Sports

VANCOUVER — The new-look Vancouver Whitecaps fought hard but came up just short in their 2019 MLS season opener, dropping a 3-2 decision to Minnesota United on Saturday at B.C. Place Stadium.

CALGARY — Canadians Ted-Jan Bloeman and Ivanie Blondin were tied for sixth halfway through the world all-round speedskating championships on Saturday at the Olympic Oval in Calgary.

LAS VEGAS — Brazil's Johnny Walker needed just 36 seconds to stop Canadian light-heavyweight Misha Cirkunov in spectacular fashion Saturday on the undercard of UFC 235.

Brian Ramsay and the CFL Players' Association plan on holding commissioner Randy Ambrosie to his word when collective bargaining talks begin. The two sides are scheduled to begin negotiations March 11-12. The present deal expires May 15.

CHESTER, Pa. — Michael Bradley scored his first goal since the 2016 season and added another in the second half for his first career multi-goal MLS game as Toronto FC opened the season with a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union on Saturday.

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Bryce Harper sounded like a typical Philadelphian talking about a goal every Phillies fan will endorse.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Leon Draisaitl and the Edmonton Oilers jumped all over the listless Columbus Blue Jackets. Draisaitl had a goal and two assists, Mikko Koskinen made 30 saves and the Oilers beat the Blue Jackets 4-0 on Saturday.

PHILADELPHIA — Michael Bradley scored twice as Toronto FC opened its 2019 MLS season with a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union on Saturday.

DUNEDIN, Fla. — Brandon Lowe was a one-man wrecking crew for the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday, driving in six runs to power his split-squad team to a 6-5 pre-season victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.

SEEFELD, Austria — Canada's Katherine Stewart-Jones earned her first top-30 finish of her career Saturday, placing 28th in the cross-country ski marathon at the cross-country world championships.