Diego Alonso out as coach of Inter Miami after one season

MIAMI » Diego Alonso will not be back for a second season as coach of Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami, part of a tumultuous offseason for the expansion team.

Alonso got Inter Miami to the MLS Cup playoffs in 2020, marking the seventh time an MLS newcomer reached the postseason. But Inter Miami was routed by fellow expansion club Nashville in that playoff appearance, finished 10th in the Eastern Conference and wound up with 7 wins, 13 losses and 3 draws.

“This was a difficult year and a very tough decision for everyone, but we believe it is the right step for the club,” Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas said in a statement. “We have great expectations for Inter Miami in the short and long term.”

Alonso’s successor could be Phil Neville, who is coaching the England women’s team and been due to lead a British squad at the rescheduled Olympics this year.

Kenin opens season with win

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES » Sofia Kenin opened her season Thursday by beating Yang Zhaoxuan 7-6 (4), 6-2 in the first round of the Abu Dhabi Open.

The American hit 11 aces against Yang to set up a second-round match against Kirsten Flipkens.

Aston Villa reports virus outbreak

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND » Aston Villa reported a “significant” coronavirus outbreak and closed its training ground on Thursday, putting in jeopardy its scheduled FA Cup home game against Liverpool.

The club said “a large number “of players and staff returned positive tests following routine testing on Monday, and they “immediately went into isolation.”