MONROE, Wash. – Evergreen Speedway officials have chosen to cancel Saturday’s season opener at the track due to the ongoing global coronavirus pandemic.

The decision was made following the announcement by Washington Governor Jay Inslee that gatherings of 250 people or more were being banned in Seattle. Evergreen Speedway joins MotoGP, Formula E and Monster Energy AMA Supercross on the list of tracks or events that have canceled or postponed motorsports events.

Below is the track’s full statement regarding the cancelation:

“Following Governor Inslee’s announcement banning sporting events with over 250 people through the end of March, Evergreen Speedway will be cancelling our NASCAR season opener on March 28.

“Along with other sporting organizations, we’re considering the possibility of running competitors only events. However, we hope to be back to full operations by April. First and foremost, our concern is for the health and safety of our communities and the region.

“We continue to work closely with the Snohomish County officials, and are following daily updates from the state and federal authorities.”

Holders Liverpool crashed out of the Champions League in the last 16 after Atletico Madrid scored three goals in extra time to earn a shock 3-2 victory at Anfield on Wednesday that sent them through 4-2 on aggregate.

After falling 2-0 down on the night, substitute Marcos Llorente struck twice in extra time and Alvaro Morata added a late third to ensure a famous victory for Diego Simeone's side against a Liverpool team unbeaten in their last 25 home games in European competition.

Premier League leaders Liverpool enjoyed the greater possession, created more chances, drew a series of saves from Atletico keeper Jan Oblak and scored through Georginio Wijnaldum and Roberto Firmino.

LIVERPOOL, England -- Jurgen Klopp's team will go down in Liverpool history as the side that ended the club's 30-year wait for the league title. Not even the threat of a Premier League shutdown because of the coronavirus will deny Liverpool the chance to lift the trophy, though they might have to do so in an empty stadium if English football is the latest domino to fall among Europe's top leagues.

But the best teams are only as strong as their weakest links, and Liverpool have now been knocked out of two competitions in the space of eight days because their backup goalkeeper is nowhere near as good as their first choice.

With Liverpool eliminated from the FA Cup by Chelsea last week and dumped out of the Champions League on Wednesday, thanks to Atletico Madrid, both defeats came as a direct result of mistakes made by Adrian, the Spanish keeper who is deputising for the injured Alisson Becker.

At the start of the season, Adrian was the penalty shootout hero of the UEFA Super Cup triumph against Chelsea in Istanbul, but as the campaign draws to a close, his fumbles and errors of judgement have played a key role in Liverpool facing up to the prospect of a glorious year fizzling into a tale of what might have been.

Although winning the Premier League title will unquestionably make this a successful season at Anfield, it promised to be so much more when they travelled to Madrid for the first leg of this Champions League tie three weeks ago. Back then, Klopp's men were still unbeaten in the Premier League and still within a shout of adding the FA Cup and Champions League to the Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup they won earlier in the season.

"We know in the last two years we had some lucky moments in the Champions League," Klopp said. "You have to, to reach two finals, but today it was everything was against us in the decisive moments. We accept it, of course, but it doesn't feel right tonight.

"I realise I am a really bad loser, especially when the boys put such an effort in against world-class players on the other side who defend with two rows of four.

"Our main mistake was to not score the second goal five minutes earlier. We scored it in extra time and not in the 90 minutes."

Saul Niguez's goal in Atletico's 1-0 first-leg win at the Estadio Metroplitano has triggered a slump that has seen Liverpool suffer four defeats in six games in all competitions. They are out of the FA Cup, they are no longer unbeaten in the Premier League, and they have seen their hopes of retaining the European Cup ended by Diego Simeone's Atletico.

If Manchester City lose at home to Burnley this weekend, Liverpool can clinch the title on Monday with a win against neighbours Everton at Goodison Park, but once the title is won, there will be an inevitable sense of anti-climax and missed opportunity in the other competitions.

Liverpool should still be alive and kicking in the Champions League, despite Atletico's three-goal show in extra-time, which saw them end the home team's 68-game unbeaten run at Anfield in the Premier League and Champions League. Liverpool created 34 goal-scoring chances, including an Andy Robertson header against the crossbar, and dominated possession with 71%, but their Achilles' heel was the man in goal.

Meanwhile, in the other goal, Jan Oblak made save after save to keep Atletico in the tie to underline his status as one of the best in the world. Perhaps it is harsh to focus on Adrian because the former West Ham keeper certainly did not intentionally make the mistakes that cost his team. But as Liverpool discovered when Loris Karius committed two howlers during the Champions League final defeat against Real Madrid in 2018, if your goalkeeper is not at the same level as the rest of your players, it will cost any team.

A poor Adrian clearance, while Liverpool were 2-0 ahead on the night following goals from Georginio Wijnaldum and Roberto Firmino, led to Marcos Llorente giving Atletico a lifeline on 96 minutes. Adrian also slipped when he attempted to keep out the striker's shot. That goal gave Atleti belief, and they smelled blood. Nine minutes later, Llorente scored again to put the Spaniards ahead overall before Alvaro Morata sealed a 3-2 win with a strike in the 120th minute.

But the crucial moment was Adrian's mistake for the first goal, just as it was against Chelsea in the FA Cup, when he fumbled Willian's early strike into the net. That is the problem with understudy goalkeepers. They are rarely in the same league as the No. 1, so they are exposed when the heat is on, and mistakes are made.

Still, Adrian will get a Premier League winners' medal when they are handed out in May, and he will have earned it for his performances earlier this season when Alisson was sidelined for two months by a calf injury. But had he been more capable, or had Alisson been fit, Liverpool might still be chasing three trophies this season. As it stands, they have just one left to win. They will win that, but one major trophy doesn't feel like quite enough for the remarkable season Liverpool have had.

Wednesday's Oklahoma City Thunder-Utah Jazz game at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City was postponed before tipoff, with the Thunder's public-address announcer saying the decision was made "due to unforeseen circumstances."

The starting lineups were announced, and it appeared the game was ready to start. Then, after conversation among the officials, the teams went back to the locker rooms and the officials left the floor.

The Thunder mascot and the team's hype crew, the Storm Chasers, tried to keep a full house of fans entertained during the delay. The halftime entertainment was moved up to pregame.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

SEATTLE — Feld Entertainment officials announced Wednesday evening that the Seattle round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross season has been canceled because of the global coronavirus pandemic.

The event, which would have been round 13 of the series, was scheduled March 28 at CenturyLink Field, the home of the Seattle Seahawks of the NFL.

The move came after earlier in the day, Washington Governor Jay Inslee announced that gatherings of 250 people or more were being banned in Seattle.

Feld officials released the following statement:

“In accordance with the governor’s restrictions on group gatherings in King County amid Coronavirus concerns, the upcoming Monster Energy Supercross event scheduled on March 28, 2020 at CenturyLink Field in Seattle has been canceled.”

The Seattle round of Supercross is the latest sporting event impacted by the coronavirus outbreak. MotoGP has canceled or postponed the first four races of its season, while NCAA basketball tournament games will be held without crowds.

According to the statement issued by Feld Entertainment, the 13th round of the Supercross season will be rescheduled for another date.

LEEDS, Ala. – Bad weather again led to less track time for the teams taking part in the MotoAmerica Dunlop Preseason Test at Barber Motorsports Park, but Mother Nature cooperated in the afternoon of day two with cloudy skies and a dry race track.

The riders responded with quicker laps as four-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier knocked yesterday’s fast man Toni Elias from the top spot with his 1:24.332.

Beaubier’s best lap came in the seventh session of the two-day test and the first dry session on Wednesday, the 1:24.332 on his Monster Energy Attack Performance Yamaha knocking M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Toni Elias from the top spot with Elias’ best of 1:25.371 coming on Tuesday afternoon.

“I think we got in 25-plus laps this afternoon, which is better than nothing considering the weather,” Beaubier said. “Everything was okay. It was actually pretty nice, riding my new bike on this track and trying to compare it with last year. I’ve ridden it at Buttonwillow the last few times, so it was nice to do kind of a back-to-back because the track surface really hasn’t changed other than it just being clean from the race. It was just nice to get on a new track. I feel like we have a couple things to work on. For the most part, everything was pretty damn good. Right now, I’m leaving content, even with just a few laps. We’re already down to a closer race pace on a super green track than we did last year. All in all, it was good.”

Second fastest on Wednesday and third overall went to Beaubier’s new teammate Jake Gagne with his 1:26.494 moving him ahead of KWR’s Kyle Wyman, who left early to start his drive to Daytona Beach, Florida, where he will defend his Daytona 200 victory this coming weekend. Wyman lapped at 1:26.336 on his Ducati Panigale V4 R on Tuesday.

Celtic HSBK Racing’s PJ Jacobsen, meanwhile, was third fastest on Wednesday and fifth overall on the second Ducati in the class.

Altus Motorsports’ Cameron Petersen was another who opted out of Wednesday’s proceedings, but his fourth quickest time from Tuesday put him sixth overall after the two-day test. FLY Racing ADR Motorsports’ David Anthony, M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Bobby Fong and Scheibe Racing BMW’s Josh Herrin rounded out the top 10 overall from the two days of action.

MP13 Racing’s test rider Josh Hayes ended up the fastest of the Supersport riders over the course of the two days, topping Altus Motorsports’ Kevin Olmedo and M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Sean Dylan Kelly.

The Liqui Moly Junior Cup riders were led by Rodio Racing’s Gus Rodio, the Kawasaki rider topping Celtic HSBK Racing’s Sam Lochoff.

Juventus defender Daniele Rugani has tested positive for coronavirus, the club announced on Wednesday.

A club statement read: "The footballer, Daniele Rugani has tested positive for Coronavirus-COVID-19 and is currently asymptomatic.

"Juventus football club is currently activating all the isolation procedures required by law, including those who have had contact with him."

Rugani becomes the most prominent professional footballer to test positive for the virus. German club Hannover also announced on Wednesday that defender Timo Hubers tested positive.

All sports in Italy have been halted because of the outbreak, including games in Serie A and preparatory events for the Tokyo Olympics, Italy Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte confirmed in a television address on Monday.

The outbreak has affected football across Europe, with Arsenal's Premier League clash against Manchester City postponed on Wednesday.

Juventus are expected to face Lyon in their Champions League round-of-16 second leg tie in Turin next week.

Michigan has canceled its annual spring football game, which was scheduled for April 18 in Ann Arbor, the school said.

In a broad press release, announcing several layers of strategy surrounding the coronavirus outbreak, Michigan also announced Wednesday that all third-party competitions and events scheduled in and on its athletic facilities through April 21 are canceled, as well.

Outside events scheduled after April 21, the school said, will be addressed on a case-by-case basis or until further guidance is available, and the school will "work proactively with all groups on refunds."

Last month, Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh announced the Wolverines would not take an international trip -- traditionally an offseason staple in the coach's tenure -- due to the coronavirus concerns. With the outbreak worsening domestically, this was the next step.

"The health and well-being of our student-athletes, coaches and staff is paramount as we assess the near and long-term potential impacts," the school's press release said. "This is a rapidly evolving situation."

There are likely to be more programs that will join in this strategy. Earlier Wednesday, with Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine issuing an order regarding "mass gatherings" due to the coronavirus outbreak, Cincinnati announced it would not hold a spring game on April 10.

Juventus defender Daniele Rugani has tested positive for coronavirus, the club announced on Wednesday.

A club statement read: "The footballer, Daniele Rugani has tested positive for Coronavirus-COVID-19 and is currently asymptomatic.

"Juventus football club is currently activating all the isolation procedures required by law, including those who have had contact with him."

Rugani becomes the most prominent professional footballer to test positive for the virus. German club Hannover also announced on Wednesday that defender Timo Hubers tested positive.

All sports in Italy have been halted because of the outbreak, including games in Serie A and preparatory events for the Tokyo Olympics, Italy Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte confirmed in a television address on Monday.

The outbreak has affected football across Europe, with Arsenal's Premier League clash against Manchester City postponed on Wednesday.

Juventus are expected to face Lyon in their Champions League round-of-16 second leg tie in Turin next week.

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Sidelined by an oblique strain, New York Mets outfielder Michael Conforto would not speculate whether he could return for the March 26 regular-season opener against Washington.

"I feel very good right now. It's different for everybody -- the timeline can be short or long," Conforto said Wednesday.

Conforto was injured Saturday against the Nationals and returned to New York on Monday night and was diagnosed with the strain on Tuesday.

"I feel good, definitely feel better than a couple of days ago," said Conforto. "My symptoms weren't all that crazy. After a couple of days of treatment, I felt quite a bit better, and so right now I feel pretty good."

The 27-year-old outfielder got hurt when he lost a fly ball to right in the sun and felt a tug in his right side after a late sudden move to catch the ball. His right side tightened up on him later in the game.

"I didn't think anything of it -- it felt like a cramp," Conforto said.

Game notes
OF Pete Alonso, the National League Rookie of the Year, agreed to a one-year contract paying at a $652,521 salary in the majors and at a $277,500 salary in the unlikely event he is sent to the minors. Alonso will not be eligible for salary arbitration until after the 2021 season. ... Mets RHP Jacob deGrom allowed one hit over four innings in his second start, an opposite-field homer to left by the St. Louis Cardinals' Matt Carpenter. ... RHP Dellin Betances also pitched for the second time and worked a hitless fifth inning, walking one. ... LF J.D. Davis hit a two-run homer and drove in three runs. ... Former captain David Wright arrived Sunday from California and said he enjoys his advisory role in the front office. "For what I'm looking for at this stage, it's kind of perfect for me," said the 37-year-old former third baseman said.