Real Madrid made short work of Valencia in the semifinal of the Spanish Super Cup on Wednesday night, beating their fellow La Liga side 3-1 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in the new four-team format of the annual competition.

Toni Kroos put Real into the lead in the 15th minute with a heads up play, curling a corner kick into the back of the net off the fingertips of Jaume Domenech after the Valencia goalkeeper and defence had fallen asleep ahead of the restart.

Isco then doubled Madrid's lead shortly before half-time, settling the rebound from a Luka Modric shot with his chest and volleying past Domenech with his second touch to stake his team to a 2-0 lead at the break.

Modric put matters to rest 20 minutes into the second half when he turned home a lovely right-footed shot from a Luka Jovic assist to give Real a three-goal cushion.

A late penalty, awarded for handball on Sergio Ramos after a VAR review, was converted by Dani Parejo to get Valencia on the scoresheet in second-half stoppage time with the result far out of reach at that point.

"We were in complete control throughout the game, we came out with the intention of getting hold of the ball, that's what we did and our plan worked perfectly," Real midfielder Casemiro told reporters.

The 62,000-capacity arena was around two-thirds full for the first game of the competition, which used to be a two-legged season curtain raiser between the Spanish league champions and the Copa del Rey winners but has been given a radical facelift.

Spanish football federation chief Luis Rubiales spearheaded the changes to the format, increasing the number of teams to four and signing a three-year deal to move it to Saudi Arabia which media reports say is worth €40 million annually.

The result sees Madrid into the Super Cup final on Jan. 12 (live at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN3/Deportes) against the winner of Thursday's other semifinal between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid (live at 2 p.m. ET on ESPN3/Deportes).

When asked which of their La Liga rivals he'd rather face in the fina, Casemiro said: "It doesn't matter. We know both are really tough. Atletico Madrid is a difficult game and Barca is too. We'll have to plan well to win. The next game is always more difficult."

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia -- Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde says a desire to make more money has taken four of Spain's top teams to Saudi Arabia for this week's Supercopa.

Barca face Atletico Madrid in Jeddah on Thursday (live at 2 p.m. ET on ESPN3/Deportes), with the winners meeting either Real Madrid or Valencia, who play on Wednesday, in Sunday's final.

The Royal Spanish Football Federation's [RFEF] expansion of the competition from two teams to four has been criticised, but there has been a bigger backlash to the decision to take the tournament to Saudi Arabia.

Barca and Madrid will pocket €6 million each for their participation in the Middle East, while Atletico and Valencia will make around €3m each. Another €1m will go to each of the finalists.

The money comes from a €120m deal which will see Jeddah host the Supercopa for three years after last year's edition was taken outside of Spain for the first-ever time when Barca met Sevilla in a one-off game in Morocco.

"I know the context of the country [we're playing in] has led to a lot of reverberations," Valverde said in a news conference on Wednesday.

"We have to keep in mind that the football we're involved in now is an industry that is always looking for new ways of income. It is what it is."

The Supercopa has historically featured the league winners [Barca] against the cup winners [Valencia] over two legs, but this season it has grown into a four-team tournament and moved to January from August. Atletico and Madrid made up the numbers due to coming second and third in La Liga last season.

Valverde admitted he prefers the old format -- and even moaned that the changes over the last two years have worked against Barcelona as league winners.

"This is my fifth Supercopa and in the first three I had to play the second leg away from home, against the league champions," he added.

"Now, when I have won the league twice [with Barca], we've had a one-off game at a neutral setting and and now these changes this year.

"It's strange to me to have four teams but it is what it is. If I had to choose, I would prefer the previous format, but it's the Federation that decides."

Valverde's mood wouldn't have been helped by a mix up in getting to the Al-Ittihad Sports Centre where his team were training on Wednesday.

He had to delay his news conference until after training after the driver took him and Sergio Busquets -- who was also due to speak to the media before the session -- in the direction of the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium by mistake.

"We've certainly got to know the city a little bit better now," he joked. "The chauffeur thought we were going to the stadium where Valencia and Madrid are playing and we had to turn around. We were quite far away and there was a lot of traffic."

Barca have taken 24 players to Jeddah, including a number of B team players, but are without the injured trio of Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Arthur Melo and Ousmane Dembele for their semifinal against Atletico.

NEW YORK -- New York Knicks forward Bobby Portis was fined $25,000 for recklessly making contact above the shoulders of an airborne shooter, the league announced Wednesday.

The incident, for which Portis was assessed a Flagrant Foul 2 and ejected, occurred with 8:02 remaining in the second quarter of the Knicks' 117-87 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday night at Staples Center.

The Lakers led the Knicks 39-30 with 8:02 remaining in the second quarter when Kentavious Caldwell-Pope streaked in for a transition layup off a Rajon Rondo feed. Portis, trailing from behind, swung his right arm and struck the top of Caldwell-Pope's head with the inside of his biceps.

The blow sent Caldwell-Pope's headband flying, and the play ended with Caldwell-Pope on the floor wincing in pain while several of his Lakers teammates -- LeBron James and Rondo among them -- confronted Portis.

Caldwell-Pope, after rubbing the sides of his head while being attended to by Lakers head athletic trainer Nina Hsieh as he stayed on the floor, subbed out of the game to receive further medical attention.

Lakers guard Danny Green was elected to shoot free throws in Caldwell-Pope's place, going 1-for-2.

The Lakers said that Caldwell-Pope underwent a concussion evaluation, which was negative. He checked back in with 2:21 remaining in the third quarter.

"It wasn't intentional at all," Portis said in the postgame. "I went for the ball. My intent was never to hurt anybody or anything like that. Just trying to make a play on the ball. Missed the ball and hit him in the head. My apologies to Caldwell-Pope. Happy to see him go out and do his thing, come back into the game and impact the game."

CINCINNATI -- Shogo Akiyama knew the Cincinnati Reds were the only Major League Baseball team that never had a player born in Japan. The chance to break a barrier was part of his impetus to sign.

Akiyama got a $21 million, three-year deal this week with the Reds. They introduced him Wednesday at Great American Ball Park, where the five-time Japanese All-Star figures to play one of the outfield spots and bat high in the order.

"The fact that they've never had a Japanese player was something that was very attractive, and their presentation was impressive," said Akiyama, 31, through translator Roger Kahlon. "It made me want to play here."

The Reds scouted the outfielder for the past few seasons in Japan's Pacific League and made the biggest push to sign him when he became a free agent, which also made an impression.

"We were the first team to approach him, the first to give him scouting materials, the first team he met with at the winter meetings and the first to offer him a contract," said Dick Williams, the Reds' president of baseball operations.

The deal includes salaries of $6 million this year, $7 million in 2021 and $8 million in 2022. If traded, Akiyama would get a $1 million assignment bonus from the team that acquires him. He can't be sent to the minors without his consent.

Akiyama would get $250,000 for winning Rookie of the Year, $200,000 for finishing second and $150,000 for third through fifth, and the same amounts for his finish in league MVP voting. He also would get $100,000 each for All-Star selection and winning a Gold Glove or Silver Slugger.

The deal also includes standard perks given to Japanese players joining an MLB club, including a team-provided interpreter, personal trainer, one-time moving allowance, English lessons for himself and family, and round-trip business class airline tickets to the U.S.

Cincinnati is trying to emerge from a streak of six straight losing seasons. The Reds finished near the bottom of the NL in runs last season despite playing in one of the most hitter-friendly ballparks.

During nine seasons in the Japanese major leagues, Akiyama batted .301 and was honored four times as one of the league's top defensive outfielders. He set a Nippon Professional Baseball season record with 216 hits in 2015.

With Seibu last season, he batted .303 with 31 doubles, four triples, 20 homers and 62 RBI, winning his fifth All-Star spot.

"Shogo excels in so many of the areas that we identified as areas in which we wanted to get better," Reds manager David Bell said. "He's going to play, and he's going to play a lot. We have to see how it all shakes out, but with the way he plays, we project him as being at the top of the lineup."

The center fielder could move to one of the corner spots in Cincinnati's unsettled outfield. Center fielder Nick Senzel is returning from surgery on his right shoulder, and the addition of Akiyama gives the Reds another option at that spot. They also have outfielders Aristides Aquino, Jesse Winker and Phillip Ervin.

The Reds also signed second baseman Mike Moustakas to a $64 million, four-year deal in the offseason to upgrade the offense. They added left-hander Wade Miley to the rotation on a $15 million, two-year deal.

CLEVELAND -- Francisco Lindor's status with the Indians has been slightly upgraded.

Team president Chris Antonetti said Wednesday he's more confident the All-Star shortstop will be in Cleveland's lineup to start the season after the Indians didn't receive a trade proposal to their liking over the past few weeks.

Antonetti did not disclose specifics about what has been offered for Lindor, a four-time All-Star and one of baseball's best all-around players. Cleveland has him under contract through the 2021 season, but the Indians have been unsuccessful in their attempts to sign him to a long-term deal. There appears to be little chance he will re-sign. Offseason rumors much of the winter connected Lindor to the Dodgers, Reds and Padres, among other teams.

Antonetti believes Lindor will be around for at least a little while. "I still have every expectation that Francisco will be our shortstop Opening Day," Antonetti said on a conference call. "I'm more confident today in saying that, as more of the offseason has passed. But that's still our expectation."

Lindor's uncertain future hangs over the Indians like a storm cloud ready to burst. The 26-year-old has become the face of the franchise, a rare player who drives ticket sales and drives in runs while performing defensive wizardry. The team understands that the longer it hangs on to Lindor, the tougher it will be to get a quality package of players in return.

Cleveland won 93 games last season, just missing the playoffs, and the Indians expect to be in the postseason hunt again this year, assuming Lindor is on the roster.

Lindor hit .284 with 32 homers, 74 RBIs and 22 steals while batting leadoff last season.

"I don't think it's constructive to get into specifics on any individual player, on what trade conversations we've had or haven't had," Antonetti said, remaining consistent with a message he has delivered for months. "I don't think that's fair to the player, and I'm also not sure it's most constructive for our dialogue with other teams."

Earlier this week, the Indians said Lindor will be appearing at the team's fan event on Feb. 1. The team did note that the list of players scheduled to attend is subject to change, and there's always a chance Lindor could get moved if the Indians get the right proposal.

But Antonetti said that hasn't happened, and he's not sure if it will.

"I have never had a different expectation other than Francisco will be our shortstop Opening Day," he repeated. "That was my expectation when the season ended, that's still my expectation as I'm sitting here today. I can't control the conduct of other teams as far as them calling us with interest and wanting to explore things.

"We have a responsibility to be responsive to those teams when they engage with us. I can say that we've had conversations on the majority of our major league roster and a bunch of players in our minor league system over the course of the offseason. The majority of those guys, other than just a couple, are still with us."

The Indians did make one alteration to their infield this winter, signing free agent Cesar Hernandez, who spent the past seven seasons with Philadelphia. Hernandez fills the hole created by the team's decision not to re-sign Jason Kipnis, and it means Jose Ramirez will stay at third.

"We had targeted Cesar as a really good fit for our roster and to complement the group of guys we have," Antonetti said. "We're excited that we were able to get that done and bring him into the fold."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

TOPEKA, Kan. – After a run of seven different venues over seven years, Sports Car Club of America’s leadership will shift its strategy for the SCCA National Championship Runoffs, starting in 2022.

A thorough analysis of the entire Runoffs venue rotation program, which included member and participant feedback from National Championships and participation trends from each of SCCA’s nine divisions over the last seven seasons, has resulted in a decision to again focus on Runoffs venues east of the Mississippi following the 2021 National Championship.

Additionally, Sports Car Club of America will now also consider two-year stints at select venues in the future.

While Runoffs rotation did offer some members an opportunity to compete who otherwise would not have, analysis shows rotation also introduced inconsistency across divisions.

Participation typically increased locally when the Runoffs was “coming to town.” However, in off years, involvement actually decreased below levels seen prior to the rotation.

Research revealed that even some of the most dedicated national racers opted to skip a Runoffs event because of location in a single year.

SCCA leadership – which includes the Board of Directors, Club Racing Board and national staff – recognizes any strategic shift may disappoint some of the membership, and decisions are not made lightly.

However, the changes are appropriate to support the goals of the organization as a whole – to fuel a safe, fun and exciting motorsports experience for automotive enthusiasts – as well as build healthier, more stable road racing programs across the country.

The decision to adjust the Runoffs rotation comes in concert with creation of a Runoffs Appearance Fund, an initiative designed to assist top-performing racers during the season with funds to attend the Runoffs, particularly those drivers who travel a great distance.

As for conducting Runoffs events for two consecutive years at some venues, that decision resulted from feedback provided by drivers, teams, workers and fans, who all voiced a desire to develop greater familiarity with a track, facility and surrounding areas with visits in consecutive years.

Two-year stints will also allow event organizers the opportunity to amortize new venue expenses and focus on other elements of the road racing program.

SCCA’s Runoffs – the year-end, winner-take-all championship event for the Summit Racing Equipment SCCA Road Racing program – began its rotation back in 2014 with a visit to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in California.

Daytona Int’l Speedway then hosted the Runoffs in 2015, followed by Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in 2016, Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2017, Sonoma Raceway in 2018 and VIRginia International Raceway this past year.

In 2020, the event will return to Road America, which previously hosted the National Championship from 2009-2013, before returning in 2021 to Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

DAYTON, Ohio – Two new multispoke designs – the 15-spoke NW102 and split V-spoke NW103 – have expanded Forgeline’s range of fully-forged, one-piece monoblock racing wheels.

The new NW102 and NW103 designs are available in 18-, 19-, 20-, 21- and 22-inch diameters and range of offsets to suit virtually any application.

Like all Forgeline wheels, each set is custom-built to customer specifications, including color and finish. Order and dealer information are available at www.forgeline.com.

“These new wheel choices represent an important evolution in Forgeline wheel design,” said Forgeline president Dave Schardt. “Their bold, detailed multispoke styling pushes our design language further, delivering a stronger visual statement with even more complex machining details.”

Forgeline’s fully-forged, one-piece monoblock wheels are machined from a single 6061-T6 aluminum forging, creating a wheel that is stiff and strong, yet also lightweight.

The new NW102 design features 15 multidimensional spokes, including five split spokes that span integrated lug holes, with chamfered edges and five unique, grooved single spokes that reach outward beyond the lug holes.

The distinctive NW103 has a design featuring five split V-spokes that span integrated lug holes with multidimensional edges – each featuring a unique cutout along the spokes’ inner edge.

The NW103 also includes a deep chamfered outer edge, precision-engraved with “Forgeline Motorsports,” “Monoblock,” “Forged 6061-T6,” and “Made in USA.”

“For customers that desire the stiffest, strongest and lightest racing wheels possible, the Forgeline monoblock series delivers,” said Schardt. “And no matter which style you select, they will look as good as they perform.”

SYDNEY, Australia – After developing a formula that has gained traction in North America, the Trans Am 2 category rule set will expand to a new market this season.

The roar from American muscle cars will now be heard from the United States to the Land Down Under through 2026, as the Trans Am Race Co. and the Australian Racing Group Pty Ltd. have agreed to a multi-year licensing deal allowing the TA2 branding to be used in Australia and New Zealand.

ARG, one of the premier race promoters in Australia, will build a TA2 National Series that will elevate the status of the TA2 brand to new heights.

The company has already established a strong paddock that has recently seen grids of more than 40 entries, with the familiar Ford Mustangs, Chevrolet Camaros and Dodge Challengers doing battle in the Australian TA2 Muscle Car Series.

The new agreement will see ARG secure the license for the TA2 specification, as the Trans Am formula makes its first international expansion.

“It is gratifying to have our brand recognized worldwide,” said Trans Am Race Company President John Clagett. “TA2 drew its international success from focusing on cost control, driver talent, strict regulations and promotion of close competition, and other countries want to implement that platform. It is fantastic that TA2 has gained an international acknowledgement as a tremendous technical package at an affordable price point.”

The international collaboration has also included a competition component, as reigning Australian TA2 Muscle Car Series champion Ashley Jarvis competed in the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli TA2 finale at Daytona Int’l Speedway in November.

Jarvis finished the 100-mile race in points position behind the wheel of a Stevens-Miller Racing Chevrolet Camaro.

The deal will also allow Trans Am Series partners to expand their sales internationally. The Prefix “TA2 Choice” engine will be the approved engine for the Australian TA2 Series and Five Star Race Car Bodies will provide the bodywork with TA2 USA chassis builders providing chassis.

ARG will allow participants to purchase pre-raced cars and chassis from USA-based teams, and also allow chassis from TARC-approved chassis builders or their appointed dealers within the territory.

Additional announcements, including tire and final technical specifications, will be made in due course.

“It is an honor to have the official endorsement from the Trans Am Race Company as we look toward a big, bold future for Trans Am classes in Australia and New Zealand,” said Australian Racing Group CEO Matt Braid. “Trans Am is such an iconic racing brand and its series has been a stalwart of the American racing scene for decades, and is respected throughout the world. There are now a significant number of TA2 cars in the country, and we are working with the current competitor base and category administrators on the best way forward for all.

“The Trans Am 2 class is a great addition to ARG’s suite of categories and events, and with such heroic brands involved with nameplates like Mustang, Camaro and Challenger, they are sure to become even more popular both on and off the track.”

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Nolan Pope will continue his racing career in the CARS Tour this season after inking a contract extension with Lee Faulk Racing and Development.

Pope, 22, will continue to drive for Lee Faulk Racing and Development as he embarks upon his first full season of competition with the CARS Late Model Stock Tour.

“I’m glad we can finally announce this,” said Pope, a native of Missouri. “I’ve worked with the teams at Lee Faulk Racing and MPM Marketing the last few years and they are incredible people. LFR always bring great race cars to the track and I always have a chance to win in their race cars. The CARS Late Model Stock Tour is the toughest tour around and I’m looking forward to the challenge for sure.

This won’t be Pope’s first season racing with the CARS Solid Rock Carriers Tour. In the last three seasons Pope has run the full CARS Super Late Model Tour schedule twice, earning a fourth-place championship finish in 2017 and a third-place result in 2019.

He’s scored four top-five finishes in that time, including a career-best finish of third at Virginia’s Dominion Raceway.

In addition to his time racing a super late model, Pope has also raced regularly in a late model stock.

He’s scored three late model stock car triumphs since 2018, including two wins at South Carolina’s Anderson Motor Speedway and a victory at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway.

“We’ve watched Nolan mature as a race car driver the last few seasons and we’re excited to continue working with him in 2020,” said Lee Faulk Racing and Development’s Michael Faulk. “He’s already raced at a lot of the tracks on the CARS Late Model Stock Tour schedule during his time in a super late model, so he’ll already be familiar with a lot of the tracks on the schedule. That can only help him and us as we chase trophies this year.”

On top of his CARS Late Model Stock Tour schedule, Pope and Lee Faulk Racing and Development will also compete in several weekly late model stock car events around the Southeast.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Justin Williams is back with the Carolina Hurricanes. The question now is how long it will take him to be ready for game action.

The 38-year-old former captain said Wednesday he isn't sure exactly when he'll be ready to play, though he has been skating and working out in hopes of easing the transition back to the ice after he stepped away from the sport last fall.

"Roddy and I, we'll talk through it," Williams said of coach Rod Brind'Amour. "It's in our hands now. I'm just going to, as I said, work my way back to where I feel comfortable and Roddy feels I'm comfortable to play.

"Listen, you can't put a time on it. Just whenever it happens, it happens. We've got a great forward core and hopefully I can find a hole somewhere."

Williams appeared at a news conference Wednesday with team owner Tom Dundon along with president and general manager Don Waddell, saying he didn't want to be a distraction as he rejoins the teams and continues work to get ready.

"Throughout these last few months, I just knew that maybe perhaps I wanted to come back, I still wasn't sure," Williams said. "But if I was going to come back, I knew had to do something. I just couldn't come right off the couch and hop into an NHL dressing room and think I could do that.

"I'm no dummy. I know that to be elite -- and play against the world's best -- you can't just come off the couch after not playing for six months."

The team announced Tuesday night that it had signed the three-time Stanley Cup champion to a one-year contract for the remainder of the season, with Williams earning a base salary of $700,000 along with the potential to earn another $1.3 million on bonuses.

One of Williams' Cup wins came with the Hurricanes in 2006, and Williams was the captain last year as the team reached the playoffs for the first time since 2009 and pushed all the way to the Eastern Conference final.

The Hurricanes have built off last year's finish, but clearly have work to do in the congested Eastern Conference to return to the postseason. As play begins Wednesday, Carolina, with 52 points, was in the first wild-card slot, but also just three points from being outside the playoff picture.

Williams -- known in league circles as "Mr. Game 7" for his exploits in those final games -- was noncommittal about his future as an unrestricted free agent after the Hurricanes were eliminated in May. Then in September, he said he "felt unsure" about whether he had the mental and physical commitment to keep playing for a 19th NHL season.

That opened the door for Jordan Staal to become this year's captain.

Williams said he had watched the team as a fan, occasionally offering text messages to his former and eventual teammates. There was also a part of him that mulled whether to turn his time away into retirement, mentioning he had been around to help his children with homework or coach his son's hockey team.

"I missed hockey," Williams said, "but I certainly wasn't bored."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.