2020 Sports Year in Review
With only a few days left of 2020 it’s time to look back at a sports year like no other. Without going too much into the Covid pandemic and its effects on the sports seasons, we have put together and listed the most memorable events and performances of 2020. Follow all major sports leagues on TV or stream by using Livesportsontv.com and find out when and where to watch the next game live.
1 January – NHL Winter Classics
The sports year started in normal fashion as the 2020 NHL Winer Classic was held in Dallas, Texas. Over 85 000 fans witnessed the game between Nashville Predators and Dallas Stars, making it the second-most attended NHL game in the history. The Predators opened the game best and led by two goals after the first period. Dallas Stars, cheered on by the home fans, managed to turn the game around and after three periods the scoreboard showed 4-2 and a win for Dallas.
2 February – Super Bowl LIV
The Super Bowl LIV game was one of the last sports events to be held before the Covid-19 pandemic struck. In front of 62 000 fans Kansas City Chiefs managed to end their 50-year championship drought. The game was tied after two quarters and the game was just as exciting and thrilling as we had wished for. The 49ers had a 20-10 lead after the third quarter but after three touch downs by the Chiefs in the fourth and final quarter the end result showed 31-20 and the Cheifs had won their first Super Bowl game since 1970.
6 August – 2020 PGA Championship
Without any spectators the 2020 PGA Championship was held at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco. This was the first major to played in over a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Golf fans from all over the world had been waiting for this day and the excitement was huge as it was decided that the tournament would be played. After an interesting final round where several players were in contention for the champions title, Collin Morikawa managed to break away from the rest of the players with a birdie on the 14th and an eagle on the 16th. The 23-year-old American became the third youngest player to win the PGA Championship since World War II, only beaten by Rory McIlroy and Jack Nicklaus.
31 August – 2020 US Open
What’s normally the fourth and final Grand Slam tournament of the year, US Open was this year the second event of 2020. The tournament was played at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. Even though both of the defending champions, Rafael Nadal and Bianca Andreescu, chose to not participate in this year’s tournament we were able to witness some of the world’s top players as the 2020 US Open began.
Men’s Singles Final
Alexander Zverev vs Dominic Thiem 2-3 (6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-7)
Women’s Singles Final
Naomi Osaka vs Victoria Azarenka 2-1 (1-6, 6-3, 6-3)
19 September – Stanley Cup Finals
After a long NHL season, we reached the Stanley Cup Finals on the 19th of September. The whole series was played in Edmonton and it was Dallas Stars and Tampa Bay Lightnings who were going to fight for the most prestigious of ice hockey trophies. Tampa Bay Lightnings could after six games title themselves as Stanley Cup winners, their first trophy since 2004. Victor Hedman got awarded with the Conn Smythe Trophy for being the most valuable player during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
30 September – NBA Finals
The 2019-20 NBA season came to an end 377 days after the first pre-season game was played, making it the longest NBA season to have ever been played. The regular season began on the 22nd of October 2019 but was suspended on the 11th of March. On the 30th of July it was possible to resume the season and a shortly after a post-season tournament started leading up to the final series. Miami Heat vs LA Lakers awaited in an interesting series where the Lakers could bring home their 17th championship title and become the most successful team in the history along with Boston Celtics. It took the Lakers six games to beat the Heat and on the 11th of October they were able to lift the trophy.
20 October – 2020 World Series
The 2020 World Series was the first ever World Series to be held at a neutral site as the Los Angeles Dodgers went up against the Tampa Bay Rays. It was two teams in different positions when it came to previous World Series experience. The Rays made their second ever World Series appearance while the Dodgers made their 21st World Series appearance. The Dodgers were favorites going into the 2020 World Series and they lived up to the expectations as they beat the Rays by 4-2. The sixth and final game was played on the 27th of October.
12 December – MLS Cup 2020
The last big sports event of 2020 was the MLS Cup between Columbus Crew SC and Seattle Sounders FC. The Sounders went into the 2020 season as the defending champions and have been hugely successful in recent years. It was clear that Columbus Crew SC would have to be at their best if they were going to reach any success against a strong and solid opponent. As the game went on it was Columbus Crew SC who showed the most hunger and desire to bring home the trophy. In the 25th minute they also managed to score the first goal followed by another one just a couple of minutes later. Columbus Crew SC leading 2-0 at halftime and Seattle Sounders FC felt that the trophy was slipping through their hands. The second half was no different from the first one, and another goal by Columbus Crew SC made the final result 3-0. This was the Crew’s first MLS Cup trophy since 2015.