Tivoli Gardens High School delivered a statement victory on Thursday, defeating Wolmer’s Boys’ 4-2 in an action-packed ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup Zone E showdown. Tivoli's win, led by two goals each from Ryan-Oneil Francis and Kaqummarie McKoy, saw them finish the preliminary round at the top of the group.
Francis opened the scoring in the 12th minute, giving Tivoli an early lead. McKoy doubled their advantage with a well-taken goal in the 24th minute, putting the hosts in control by halftime. Wolmer’s came out strong in the second half, with Daniel Scarlett pulling one back in the 51st minute, injecting hope into the visitors.
However, Tivoli responded emphatically. McKoy netted his second in the 68th minute, followed by Francis’s second in the 75th minute to make it 4-1, putting the game beyond Wolmer’s reach. Scarlett managed a late consolation goal in the 82nd minute, scoring his second of the match, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Tivoli from securing a crucial 4-2 win.
With the victory, Tivoli Gardens leapfrogged Wolmer’s to finish atop Zone E with 27 points. Wolmer’s, who finished two points behind Tivoli, secured second place. St Jago High, meanwhile, wrapped up third place with 19 points after a dominant 4-0 win over Denham Town, who finished in fourth with seven points.
Other Results from Thursday’s Manning Cup Matches:
Kingston College and Campion College battled to a thrilling 2-2 draw, a result that saw both teams share the points in their final preliminary round match.
St Jago High comfortably defeated Denham Town 4-0, securing third place in Zone E behind Tivoli Gardens and Wolmer’s Boys’.
As the Manning Cup progresses to the next stage, Tivoli Gardens' momentum from topping Zone E makes them a strong contender, while Wolmer’s and other teams will look to regroup and push further in the competition.
No player more important than Milan for furious Fonseca
AC Milan boss Paulo Fonseca has had two weeks to stew on his team's latest defeat, and he will never refrain from criticising a player due to their name or status.
Milan were beaten 2-1 by Fiorentina before the international break, a defeat that came on the back of losing 1-0 to Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.
It was the manner of their defeat in Florence, where Theo Hernandez and Tammy Abraham were both denied by David de Gea from the penalty spot, which left Fonseca furious.
Fonseca slated his players for disobeying orders after the game, pointing out that Christian Pulisic was the designated penalty taker, while he was also furious to see Hernandez sent off for dissent late on.
Speaking ahead of Saturday's meeting with Udinese, Fonseca told reporters: "I was so angry after Florence that it was good not to have seen anyone.
"We had few players in those training sessions, then all the internationals arrived yesterday. We talked about the match against Fiorentina and today we spoke about Udinese.
"I know that there has been a lot of talk about Florence, for me it was very important to talk about it."
Fonseca is already under pressure, with his side sixth in the Serie A table, five points off leaders Napoli. Milan have also lost both of their Champions League games, and their coach intends to tackle any issues head on.
"I don't close my eyes to problems. We have them, let's face them," Fonseca said.
"If we have any problems, I don't give a damn about the player's name. I talk to him. Frontally, directly, with the team or with the players.
"For me, no player is more important than the team. Those who make mistakes must take responsibility. If someone doesn't follow this team spirit, it's difficult for me."
Fonseca was then asked if he had already lost control of the dressing room, responding: "I don't have to demonstrate anything, I'm not an actor.
"In football today there is a great need to be seen, I'm not like that, since day one. Ask the players, if I have been this way from the start or not."
Houston Dynamo v LA Galaxy: Olsen relishing tough test in playoff preparation
Ben Olsen believes LA Galaxy are the perfect team for Houston Dynamo to face the week before the playoffs to get them into the right frame of mind.
Houston can finish as high as fifth in the Western Conference but have alternated between a win and a loss in their last four games, losing 3-0 to St. Louis City last time out.
Olsen is keen to quickly put that result behind them and get the win that would secure fifth place in the table.
"Our objective doesn't change - it's still about putting the best performance against LA Galaxy we can in preparation for what's going to be a very tough first-round match in the playoffs," he said.
"It'll be a tough test. But I like that we're playing arguably the best team in the league the week before the playoffs because that's the level we're going to see then."
Meanwhile, the Galaxy need at least a draw to ensure they finish top of the table above derby rivals Los Angeles FC.
LA Galaxy are on a three-match winning streak in MLS, edging past Austin FC 2-1 in their last outing, and head coach Greg Vanney is glad they are not just going through the motions as they see out the end of the regular season.
"It's a nice test for us, it's great that the game is meaningful at this time of year, and we're playing for something before we start really playing for something," Vanney said.
"I think that keeps the right intensity and the right tension in the group, and hopefully draw or win, it keeps the right tension going into the playoffs.
"We have to be efficient about how we defend, though we can't get pulled around by them."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Houston Dynamo – Adalberto Carrasquilla
The Dynamo enter the final match of the season with 51 points, equalling their total from last season, while a win would set a new club record for points in a single season, surpassing the 52 they recorded in 2012.
Adalberto Carrasquilla set up both goals the last time Houston won, and another in this game would level him with Amine Bassi for the most assists this season (six).
LA Galaxy – Gabriel Pec
Both Gabriel Pec and Riqui Puig enter the final match of the season with 29 goal contributions this season.
No team in MLS history has had two players record 30 goal contributions in a single season.
MATCH PREDICTION: HOUSTON DYNAMO WIN
Houston have lost only one of their last 11 regular-season home matches (W4 D6) including recording a 2-1 win in their last match at Shell Energy Stadium. The Dynamo's only set of consecutive home wins this season came in March with victories over Portland Timbers and San Jose Earthquakes.
The Galaxy defeated the Dynamo 2-1 at home on May 25. LA have not defeated Houston twice in a single regular season since winning all three meetings during the 2016 campaign.
A win on the final day of the season would give the Galaxy 67 points on the year, equalling the second-most in club history. Only two teams in MLS history have totalled 67 or more points in a regular season and not won the Supporters' Shield: Atlanta United in 2018 and Philadelphia Union in 2022.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Houston Dynamo – 47.2%
Draw – 26.3%
LA Galaxy – 26.5%
Guardiola says Tuchel's nationality not important after England appointment
Pep Guardiola does not believe Thomas Tuchel's nationality is of any importance following the German's appointment as England's new head coach.
On Wednesday, the Football Association announced the former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss had signed an 18-month contract, starting in January, to lead the Three Lions to the 2026 World Cup.
Guardiola was among several high-profile coaches to be linked with the role prior to the announcement, with his contract with Manchester City set to expire next year.
While Tuchel's fine record in knockout football has led many to hail his arrival as a coup, some have suggested the FA should have given an English coach a chance.
Guardiola, however, does not believe it is an issue, saying at a press conference ahead of Sunday's trip to Wolves: "Thomas Tuchel is the manager.
"I'm the manager of Man City, forget about it. The rest is not important. The federation decided to go for a foreign manager with a great record.
"My view is I would support him unconditionally. If he wins he will be praised and if he loses he will be criticised. But it doesn't matter, his nationality.
"I know we are proud of where we are from, but the world is so big. You have to be open-minded. I came here to learn from you."
Pressed on his own long-term future at the Etihad Stadium, Guardiola reiterated that no decision has been made but said City will be made aware of his plans well in advance.
"I'm pretty sure the club have options when Pep leaves. Sooner or later, it will happen and they have to prepare. It will not be a surprise," he said.
"I want to be really convinced it is the best for the club. I will not delay any action thinking it will be a problem for the club. They understand the problems I will have.
"If the club asks me an opinion [on my successor], I will give them an opinion. But it is not a decision for me. It has to be the club."
Perhaps the most high-profile homegrown coach to be linked with the England job was Newcastle United's Eddie Howe, alongside the likes of Graham Potter and Lee Carsley.
However, speaking at his own press conference ahead of Newcastle's Premier League fixture against Brighton and Hove Albion, Howe was asked if he was among the coaches interviewed for the job.
"I was not. There was no contact from the FA," he replied. "England have to do what is right for them and only they will know the processes they have gone through and the decisions they have made. I am certainly not the type of person that is going to analyse that."
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