Orlando City SC "finally moves in" to its new home today as it hosts NYCFC for its '17 MLS season opener. The 5:00pm ET game at Orlando City Stadium has been "sold out for weeks" and will be broadcast on ESPN, "showing a national audience the venue's 25,500 seats that are mostly purple." Additionally, there is a "standing-only supporters section; and a lowered pitch" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 3/5).

Real Salt Lake yesterday drew 19,519 fans for its match against Toronto FC. The figure was "slightly short of a sellout in the earliest home opener" for the team. MLS Commissioner Don Garber was "in attendance" (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 3/5).

Meanwhile, around the league....

• The Galaxy drew a crowd of 23,554 for their game against FC Dallas at StubHub Center (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 3/5).
• The Dynamo hosted the Sounders before a crowd of 20,758 fans at BBVA Compass Stadium (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 3/5).
• Impact-Earthquakes at Avaya Stadium and Minnesota United-Timbers at Providence Park each drew sellouts (Portland OREGONIAN, 3/4).
• DC United's 0-0 draw against Sporting KC at RFK Stadium drew 18,268 fans (WASHINGTON POST, 3/5).
• The Rapids home opener against the Revolution drew 16,126 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park (DENVER POST, 3/5).
• The Crew "entertained the 15,023" at Mapfre Stadium during their 1-1 draw against the Fire (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 3/5).

Atlanta United and WZGC-FM have "reached an agreement to make the radio station the flagship partner of the MLS expansion team." Adam Schick (play-by-play) and Jason Longshore (commentator) will "serve as the broadcast team." WZGC already partners with the Falcons, which are also owned by Arthur Blank (AJC.com, 3/4). Meanwhile, Atlanta United unveiled its team app, which is "available for mobile devices that use Apple or Android platforms" and "includes a variety of features." There is a "ticket-buying button on the top of the home screen." There is also a button that "includes content that previews the game." Beside that is a "countdown clock for the game" (AJC.com, 3/3). Atlanta United plays its first game tonight, hosting the Red Bulls at 7:30pm ET (THE DAILY).

The U.S. Soccer Federation yesterday added a new policy to its bylaws, calling for players to "stand respectfully" during the playing of the National Anthem at matches in which the USSF "is represented." USSF President Sunil Gulati said that there are "no preset consequences" and the policy "would be addressed as it happens" (TWITTER.com, 3/4). The new policy comes after USWNT MF Megan Rapinoe "knelt during the anthem at least twice last year" (N.Y. TIMES, 3/5). Meanwhile, England "stunned" the USWNT 1-0 before a sellout crowd of 26,500 at Red Bull Arena in the second round of the SheBelieves Cup (AP, 3/4).

Lakers President Jeanie Buss on Friday "sought a restraining order against her brothers Jim and Johnny" in L.A. County Superior Court. Jeanie Buss "appeared to thwart an effort by Jim and Johnny that could oust her as the Lakers' president and controlling owner." On Feb. 21 Jeanie Buss removed Jim Buss from his role as Lakers Exec VP/Basketball Operations and named Magic Johnson President of Basketball Operations. Three days later Johnny Buss "notified his sister of a March 7 meeting to elect" the team's BOD. However, the brothers proposed four directors and "didn't include her." The family trusts that own 66% of the Lakers can "elect three of the board's five members." The trusts "mandate the co-trustees -- Johnny, Jim and Jeanie -- take all actions to ensure Jeanie Buss remains controlling owner of the Lakers." She has occupied the role since their father, Jerry Buss, died in '13 (L.A. TIMES, 3/4).

After 48 years, the Univ. of Houston will "say goodbye" to Hofheinz Pavilion. The school will hold "a series of events before, during and after" today's 3:00pm CT regular-season finale against East Carolina. A new era will "begin immediately" with a $60M transformation of the arena, which will reopen as the Fertitta Center for the '18-19 season. During the final ceremony at the end of the game, a "current UH player will make a basket on one end of the court" and the ball will then be "passed through generations of former players." Basketball HOFer and former UH player Hakeem Olajuwon is "expected to take the final shot." Afterward, UH Board of Regents Chair Tilman Fertitta, whose $20M gift will go towards renovation and naming rights, will then "take the ball and walk up a section of steps and out of the arena" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 3/4).

Keith Thurman earned a split-decision victory against Danny Garcia in last night's Premier Boxing Champions card before a Barclays Center "boxing attendance record" crowd of 16,533. The bout, which saw Thurman "unify welterweight titles," was as "good as it gets in boxing." Thurman and Garcia "produced an entertaining fight that was often tactical but had enough exciting exchanges to keep everyone on the edges of their seats" (ESPN.com, 3/5). However, this was "supposed to be Thurman's moment, and honestly, it was an opportunity missed." A Barclays Center boxing-record crowd and a nationally televised audience on CBS "were all things Thurman craved" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 3/5). The crowd "booed during the second half of the bout and after Thurman's split decision was announced" (BOSTON HERALD, 3/5). The fight was "more of a clunker than a classic" (N.Y. POST, 3/5).

UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley defeated Stephen Thompson last night in the main event of UFC 209, and the fight had people asking if it was the "worst title fight in UFC history." Fraught by "major portions of inactivity ... the bout drew boos that grew to roars" from the T-Mobile Arena crowd in Las Vegas. Some fans were "so unhappy over paying for that limited action that they walked toward the exits even before the judges' scores" were announced (L.A. TIMES, 3/5). In the fourth round, the crowd began "chanting 'fight'" (ESPN.com, 3/4). UFC 209 "drew 13,150 fans" (MMAWEEKLY.com, 3/5).

Univ. of Washington WR John Ross set an NFL Combine record yesterday by "running the 40 in 4.22 seconds," breaking Cardinals RB Chris Johnson's 4.24 time in '08. Adidas was offering an island worth $1M to anyone who "broke the record while wearing its shoes," but Ross "wore shoes by Nike" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 3/5). Ross said, "I really can't swim that well. And I don't have a boat, so you know, I had to run in Nikes" (TRIBLIVE.com, 3/4). NBC’s Willie Geist said if Ross is "that fast, he may be able to buy his own island pretty soon" ("Sunday Today with Willie Geist," NBC, 3/5). Packers QB and Adidas endorser Aaron Rodgers tweeted, "Combine thoughts: 40 is overrated for most positions. Game speed vs 40 speed. However, John Ross is really fast. Should have worn @adidasUS" (TWITTER.com, 3/4).

Capitals LW Alex Ovechkin "made the rounds" as a local Papa John's deliveryman on Friday, "surprising customers." He made three delivery stops for a Papa John's location in Sterling, Va. A Papa John's employee at the location said that there was a "'significant' increase in calls, including some that requested Ovechkin as their deliveryman." Papa John's has a "Caps-focused promotion" to receive half-price off a regular menu price online order the day after the Caps win and score four or more goals (WASHINGTON POST, 3/4).

Angels Owner Arte Moreno, an Arizona alum, attended Saturday's home men's hoops game against Arizona State, and his "return is telling." Moreno "kept his distance from UA, at least publicly," while Greg Byrne was AD. The school earlier this week named Dave Heeke its new AD (ARIZONA DAILY STAR, 3/5).

Landon Donovan has "joined the ownership group that is trying to land an MLS expansion team in San Diego" (FOXSPORTS.com, 3/3).

NBA Kings radio broadcaster Gary Gerould, who is in his 32nd season with the team, today will "call his 2,500th game" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 3/4).

The Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic will have its "earliest date ever with adjustments" to the CFP bowl schedule. The game will now be "played on Dec. 29 in a prime-time window for ESPN." The game "had been originally scheduled for Dec. 30" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 3/4).

Indiana Univ. has "pulled out" of next season’s 2K Sports Classic at MSG, and it "will cost the school $250,000 to do so." Saint Louis Univ. "will replace the Hoosiers in the four-team field" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 3/5).

"These two clubs will succeed if they build deep connections with their communities. Over time, they will have their own history and heritage. Over time, nobody will really think about that coincidence" – MLS CMO Howard Handler, on expansion clubs in Atlanta and Minnesota both having "United" in their names (N.Y. TIMES, 3/4).

"Stay off Twitter" – Former NFLer Dallas Clark, on the advice he has shared with NFL prospects while mentoring them at the NFL Combine this week (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 3/4).

"I'm not retiring. I just don't know where I'm going yet. Give me a chance to figure that out. I'm taking all of you with me" – WFAN-AM's Mike Francesa, who will host his final show on Dec. 15 (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 3/5).

"I have really enjoyed it, primarily because 98 percent of what I have done is just talk to K-State folks. It has been really exhilarating. People have been so supportive. It has been fun so far" – Interim Kansas State AD Laird Veatch, on taking over as acting AD this past week (WICHITA EAGLE, 3/5).

"Marvin Miller belongs in the Hall of Fame too. There were so many battles ... but if you make a significant contribution, you belong, and no matter how you felt about him, you cannot say Marvin Miller did not make a contribution" – MLB Commissioner Emeritus Bud Selig, on the late MLBPA Exec Dir (ESPN.com, 3/3).

The BOSTON HERALD's Evan Drellich writes Red Sox President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski is not just into a "slash 'n' burn farming" style of team building. But will "impatience test that philosophy?" While with the Tigers, Dombrowski "acted as a win-now general manager and that is his reputation."

MASHABLE's Sam Laird wrote that how The Players' Tribune "grew up to become a sports media powerhouse is a story of creativity, opportunity and coming up huge." The site has "found its stroke" two years into its existence and "drew 2.6 million readers in December." More than 1,200 athletes "have bylined pieces for the site" since former MLBer Derek Jeter wrote the introductory post.

Elsewhere:

• Univ. of Colorado's Folsom Field is honing its private event game.
• How Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority members got seats at U.S. Bank Stadium.
• Colin Kaepernick's political stand still matters during his free agency.
• ESPN's Tony Reali talks about wearing ash on air during Ash Wednesday.
• Remembering a time when college hoops ruled a different MSG.
• Basketball HOFer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar opens up.
• Notre Dame's gold hockey helmets "sure look familiar."
• Patriots QB Tom Brady's roots "run deep into 19th century Boston."
• Youth hockey helps out new Predators ice center in Bellevue.
• Megabots might end up being the "next big sport." 

2 #NFL sources said Friday #Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is trying to gather investors to fill role Sheldon Adelson had in Vegas for #Raiders

— Jason Cole (@JasonColeBR) March 4, 2017

I remember our MLS opener in Colorado in 2011 well. Tough night but better days were ahead. Loved seeing the terrific Minnesota support here

— Merritt Paulson (@MerrittPaulson) March 4, 2017

Suspect USWNT players are highly annoyed with US Soccer for anti-anthem-kneeling news overshadowing Rampone retirement & their own game.

— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) March 4, 2017

Maverick Carter: We're not trying to replace journalists. We're not journalists. We think of ourselves as like HBO (for athletes) #SSAC17

— doctorgc (@DoctorGC) March 3, 2017

Happy 12th Birthday to @ESPNU which launched 03/04/05 UCLA Trick-Or-Treat ESPN U Commercial https://t.co/YwlbAvSJlL

— Burke Magnus (@burkemagnus) March 5, 2017

Painter Bob Ross was at the Portland Timbers game last night! Sort of. https://t.co/dx4MJ255jw

— For The Win (@ForTheWin) March 4, 2017