Miami (AFP)

The North American Championship (MLS) resumed Wednesday, with Orlando's snatch victory against David Beckham's Inter Miami (2-1), after an anti-racism ceremony and while the coronavirus could push new teams affected to withdraw from competition.

Portuguese striker Nani, former Manchester United player, gave victory to Orlando (90th + 7), who had equalized by Chris Mueller (70th) after Juan Agudelo opened the scoring shortly after the break, behind closed doors in the ESPN's World Wide of Sports complex at Disney World in Florida.

Shortly before kick-off, dozens of players from different MLS clubs lined up around the pitch to silently protest racism and police violence. Players dressed in black T-shirts and wearing black gloves raised their fists to the night sky for eight minutes and 46 seconds - a reference to the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis after that time, neck under a policeman's knee.

Just after the whistle started the game, the players from Miami and Orlando knelt, a gesture of solidarity with the anti-racism movement "Black Lives Matter" which crossed the world in protest after the death of Floyd.

The MLS, suspended after two days in mid-March, resumed Wednesday in a format similar to the World Cup, with group stage and knockout, in a "bubble" supposed to protect it from the pandemic.

- Doubt over Nashville -

But four new Nashville SC players have contracted the Covid-19, according to the Athletic news site. If the information is confirmed, this would bring the number of team players who tested positive for coronavirus to nine. The first five cases were confirmed on Tuesday.

On Monday, FC Dallas had to withdraw from competition after the confirmed infection of ten of its players and one member of the management.

"We don't want anyone to be sick, have symptoms or have Covid-19," said MLS commissioner Don Garber on ESPN. "The idea was to detect infections upon arrival in Orlando. This is what is happening with Dallas and Nashville. We are working closely with our doctors and we will meet with them."

"If we find that we have a case with Nashville that makes it impossible for them to continue in the tournament, we will make our decision and move on," he added.

© 2020 AFP