Inter Miami forward Matias Rojas says Lionel Messi continues to have an influence on the side even while out injured, as they prepare for Saturday's huge top-of-the-table tussle with FC Cincinnati.
Having gone out of the Leagues Cup at the last-16 stage, Eastern Conference leaders Miami return to MLS action against a team currently one place and five points behind them.
They will be without Messi for the match, however, with next week's clash with the Chicago Fire seen as his earliest possible return date after he was injured in Argentina's Copa America final victory.
Rojas, who was brought in ahead of the 2024 season and has four league goals for Miami to date, says Messi does not switch off when out of action, however.
"Leo is always there. He watches everything and he talks to us before games," the Paraguayan said.
"He communicates more with those who can speak Spanish, he pays attention to what is happening, and he gives his opinion.
"We are proud to be there, enjoying these moments with him. Sometimes I talk to my family to realise what is happening, but as I always say, I will not get tired of saying that we share our days with the best player in the history of football.
"There are no words to describe what I feel every day."
With Cincinnati playing catch-up in the bid to be top seeds, coach Pat Noonan knows they cannot afford to be beaten at Chase Stadium.
"As far as the importance of it goes, with us being behind Miami, the significance of a result is certainly important for the end of the season," Noonan said.
"We're trying to be at home in the playoffs. Right now we're five points behind and trying to close that gap. It'll certainly be challenging to catch them if we don't get a result."
Cincinnati trounced Miami 6-1 on home soil when the teams last met in July, though Gerardo Martino's men were without several key players for that game, and Noonan expects a very different challenge this time around.
"It'll be completely different to our last matchup," Noonan said. "There's six different guys that could be on the field that weren't out there."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Inter Miami – Luis Suarez
Miami have averaged 2.8 goals per regular-season game in 2024 when Messi has appeared, compared to 1.7 without the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner.
Suarez's 12 goals in MLS this year are as many as Messi has managed, and he also scored twice in four Leagues Cup matches during the mid-season break. He will carry the Herons' foremost threat.
FC Cincinnati – Luciano Acosta
In Messi's absence, perhaps another Argentine can take centre-stage.
Acosta has a league-high 29 goal contributions this season (11 goals, 18 assists) after posting 31 last season en route to the MVP award.
He is one goal contribution away from becoming the fourth player in MLS history to record multiple seasons with 30 or more goal contributions.
MATCH PREDICTION: INTER MIAMI WIN
Inter Miami won their first four matches against Cincinnati between 2020 and 2021, only to lose four of five against them in MLS since the start of the 2022 season (one draw), including the last three in a row.
However, the Herons have won five straight home matches in all competitions, scoring multiple goals in each of those victories.
This is their joint longest home winning streak in all competitions in club history, having also won five in a row between July and September 2021.
Miami have also scored 56 goals in 25 regular-season matches this term, and have won as many games without Messi appearing as they have with him (eight).
Cincinnati lost their last away match to the New York Red Bulls on July 20 by a 3-1 scoreline. They have not lost back-to-back road games in all competitions in over two years, since an eight-match losing streak that spanned the end of 2021 and the start of 2022.
However, they enter Saturday's match as outsiders, with Miami doing a decent job of coping without Messi this term.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Inter Miami – 48.7%
FC Cincinnati – 25.5%
Draw – 25.7%
Marco Reus is available to make his debut for LA Galaxy as they look to consolidate their place at the top of the Western Conference when they take on Atlanta United.
The 35-year-old's signing until the end of the 2026 MLS season was confirmed last week after he brought the curtain down on a 12-year spell at Borussia Dortmund
Despite leaving Europe, Reus still holds ambitions of lifting silverware in the United States, with the Galaxy in a promising position as MLS returns following a break for the Leagues Cup.
The Galaxy are top of the Western Conference on 49 points, four behind East leaders Inter Miami in the race for the Supporters' Shield.
In his introductory press conference, Reus said: "I'm here to help the team and to win championships. So that's the reason you play football. And of course that’s the reason why I’m here.
"The goal is for the club to win the championship and be successful. It's been 10 years since we won the championship, the time is now and I'm ready, I think the team is ready, so we're ready."
Reus joins an attack that has already scored 50 goals this season, the third most of any MLS side, and the Galaxy will hope his signing further galvanises their trophy bid as they aim to move on from their disappointing defeat to the Seattle Sounders in the Leagues Cup.
Saturday's opponents, Atlanta United, also suffered an early exit from that competition, and they will hope a good showing can set the tone for a strong run-in.
Atlanta have not played in nearly three weeks, but veteran goalkeeper Brad Guzan welcomed the break in terms of providing both a physical and mental reset, as the Five Stripes approach the last nine matches of the regular season.
The ex-Aston Villa man said: "For us, it's been a time to hit the reset button and really look at things.
"We have been able to use it to our advantage. We understand the necessity to get points. We understand the urgency."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
LA Galaxy – Gabriel Pec
Reus may be the new attraction, but Gabriel Pec has contributed to a goal in a Galaxy-record 11 straight regular-season home matches.
He has been involved in 17 goals (9 goals, 8 assists) in 13 home matches this season as only Lionel Messi (19) has more goal involvements in regular-season home matches in MLS in 2024.
Atlanta United – Saba Lobjanidze
Saba Lobjanidze (one goal, three assists) has been involved in each of Atlanta's last four regular-season goals.
His last two assists, both against the Columbus Crew on July 20, came off corners after he had not recorded an assist off a corner in his first 29 career MLS matches.
MATCH PREDICTION: LA GALAXY WIN
The Galaxy have won nine of their last 12 regular season matches (L3) dating back to late May. This is the first time LA have won nine times in a span of 12 league games since July-September 2014, the Galaxy's last MLS Cup-winning season.
Atlanta, meanwhile, have lost three straight regular-season road matches for the first time since April 2022. It has been five years since the Five Stripes had a longer league losing streak on the road, losing six in a row on their travels in May-July 2019.
The Galaxy earned their first points against Atlanta the last time the sides met, winning 2-0 at home in July 2022. Atlanta had won the first three meetings between the sides by a combined score of 9-0.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
LA Galaxy - 50.0%
Draw - 25.3%
Atlanta United - 24.8%
Caleb Porter has likened the final games of the season to cup finals, as New England Revolution prepare to return to action against CF Montreal.
The Revs have had a three-week break ahead after suffering a heartbreaking penalty shoot-out defeat to New York City FC in the Leagues Cup round of 32.
After a slow start to the season, New England sit bottom of the Eastern Conference, though are only five points behind Atlanta United in ninth.
And Porter believes his refreshed team have what it takes to challenge for the playoffs if they can string together a winning run.
"Every game is a cup final, these last 11," Porter said. "We're going to go for it.
"Obviously, our goal is to take it one at a time and win every game. We don't need to win every game to probably get in, but that's going to be our mindset.
"If we can win our home games, and then win half the road games, then I think we'll be in good shape."
Meanwhile, Montreal were also knocked out of the Leagues Cup in the round of 32, suffering a 2-0 defeat to the Philadelphia Union.
They resume their MLS campaign in a strong position, sitting fifth in the table, but have had problems in the build-up to this game after a public falling-out between head coach Laurent Courtois and striker Josef Martinez.
Courtois said he felt "betrayed" by the Venezuelan after he refused to take part in training, but Montreal president Gabriel Gervais says the problem has now been dealt with.
"This case is closed," he said. "For me, it's non-negotiable. Someone who is not disciplined cannot be here."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
CF Montreal – Josef Martinez
Josef Martínez has scored eight regular-season goals against New England, tied for his most against any MLS opponent (also eight vs. D.C. United and Orlando City).
New England Revolution – Carles Gil
Carles Gil has been involved in a goal in each of his last four regular-season MLS matches (one goal, four assists).
The Spaniard's longest streak of consecutive regular-season matches with a goal contribution is five straight, done three times, most recently in 2022.
MATCH PREDICTION: CF MONTREAL WIN
Montreal have won three of their last four home matches against New England, keeping clean sheets in all three wins. Montreal had won three of their previous 16 matches against the Revs (drawing one, losing 12), managing just two clean sheets in those games.
In fact, Montreal have lost only one of their last nine home matches in all competitions (four wins, four draws) with the lone defeat coming against Toronto FC on July 20. No American team has won at Stade Saputo since Columbus on May 15.
Meanwhile, New England are unbeaten in four straight matches in all competitions (won one, drawn three, including a penalty shoot-out loss in the Leagues Cup Round of 32), equaling their longest run of the season. The Revs' last longer unbeaten run was a six-match stretch that spanned last year's Leagues Cup.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
CF Montreal – 43.4%
Draw – 26.7%
New England Revolution – 29.9%
Phil Neville believes Portland Timbers can use their recent defeats as motivation in the second half of the season, starting with St. Louis City.
The Timbers' Leagues Cup run came to an end against Saturday's opponents, losing 3-1 in the round of 32 nearly three weeks ago.
They were in good form in MLS before that, and sit eighth in the Western Conference, but lost their last league game 3-2 against LA Galaxy before the break.
Now, Neville is targeting a strong finish to the regular season.
"In life sometimes you get a jolt or a little reminder of the work that needs to be done, and we got that," Neville said.
"We've had a lot of plaudits and people saying good things about us, but our last result was a wake-up call to the work we still need to do to be successful in this league.
"We've got nine games left in the season, and we need the mentality to win these games."
After knocking out the Timbers, St. Louis were left disappointed in the quarter-final of the Leagues Cup following a 4-2 defeat to Club America.
They return to MLS action sitting 13th in the table, 10 points off the playoff places, and interim head coach John Hackworth is hopeful they can take the positives from their Cup run into the second half of the season.
"There are little details that slip, and we let guys have too much time on the ball, don't get matched up in the box, don't recover in the right way," Hackworth said.
"Those are things that teams can learn to do for sure. We can create really great chances and have lots of positives to take away from games."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Portland Timbers – Evander
Evander has recorded a goal contribution in each of his last six regular-season appearances. The only longer streak in Timbers' history was a nine-match run with a goal contribution by Diego Valeri in 2017.
St. Louis City – Roman Burki
St. Louis have managed just three wins in their last 30 MLS road games in all competitions and are winless in each of their last 15, dating back to last October (six draws, nine losses).
They have failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last seven such matches, and if Roman Burki is able to get a clean sheet, he may be able to help them end that streak.
MATCH PREDICTION: PORTLAND TIMBERS WIN
St. Louis defeated the Timbers 3-1 in the Leagues Cup Round of 32 at home on August 9. It was the first home win by either team against the other in four all-time meetings.
Portland have scored at least twice in an MLS-high 19 of their 25 matches this regular season, including the last seven in a row. The Timbers have scored two or more goals 20 or more times in an MLS season just once before, doing so in 2014 (21 times).
Meanwhile, St. Louis have managed just one win in their last 14 regular-season matches (four draws, nine losses), a 2-0 victory over league-worst San Jose Earthquakes in July.
In fact, since that run began in mid-May, San Jose (four) are the only team that have collected fewer points than St. Louis City (seven).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Portland Timbers – 51.5%
Draw – 24.7%
St. Louis City – 23.8%
John Herdman hopes a short break from action allowed Toronto FC an "emotional reset" and the chance to build chemistry ahead of Saturday's return to MLS play at the Houston Dynamo.
Toronto reached the first knockout stage of the Leagues Cup but were beaten 4-3 by Inter Miami in a thrilling tie on August 9, giving them over two weeks to prepare for their next game.
With Toronto currently occupying a play-in spot in the Eastern Conference, Herdman hopes they can use that match as a learning experience ahead of the run-in.
"We've had a good crack at it. Miami will always be some way around the finals," Herdman said, reflecting on the Reds' Leagues Cup run.
"It's a good lesson for us because if you want to make the playoffs, these are the teams you have to learn to beat.
"Now it's about work. We've had a chance to really bring this team together. It's a chance to build chemistry, to have an emotional reset ahead of the MLS playoff push, with some big games coming up."
Houston went out at the same stage, losing on penalties following a 2-2 draw with Toluca.
They also harbour postseason dreams, sitting sixth in the Western Conference but just one point clear of the play-in spots, and coach Ben Olsen is keen for them to kick on.
"We'll try to get better and continue to push the group," Olsen said.
"Now we just have one tournament left, and hopefully it's all about doing what we can to put ourselves in a good spot towards the latter stages of the league."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Houston Dynamo – Ibrahim Aliyu
Aliyu has six goals and four assists for Houston in MLS this season, with his overall tally of 10 goal contributions two more than any of his team-mates have managed (Amine Bassi and Sebastian Ferreira have eight apiece).
Toronto FC – Federico Bernardeschi
Excluding own goals, 22 of the last 23 regular-season goals Toronto have scored dating back to late April have featured a goal contribution by at least one of the Italian trio of Federico Bernardeschi, Lorenzo Insigne or Raoul Petretta.
Bernardeschi has recorded more goal involvements (12, eight goals and four assists) and created more chances (54) than any other Toronto player this term.
MATCH PREDICTION – HOUSTON DYNAMO WIN
This will be the first meeting between Toronto and the Dynamo in Houston since April 2018, with Saturday's hosts unbeaten in their last seven home matches against the Reds (two wins, five draws) dating back to 2011.
Houston have only lost four regular-season home matches since the start of the 2023 MLS season, the second-fewest in the league in that time (behind the Columbus Crew, two).
They are also unbeaten in their last six regular-season matches at Shell Energy Stadium (two wins, four draws), making them favourites to beat a Toronto team who have not won consecutive regular-season road games since July 2021.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Houston Dynamo – 64.8%
Toronto FC – 16.3%
Draw – 18.9%
The West Indies T20 outfit will get their first opportunity to compete since their Super Eight exit at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in June when they take on South Africa in the first of three T20 Internationals at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba on Friday.
In what promises to be a competitive series, the hosts will be looking for revenge against the team that knocked them out of their home tournament with a three-wicket win via the DLS method in Antigua in their final Super Eight match on June 23.
South Africa eventually got all the way to the final before narrowly losing to India.
West Indies skipper Rovman Powell likes the chemistry he’s seen from his group during their preparation for the upcoming series.
“I think it’s very good. It’s the first series since the World Cup so it’s an important one in the sense that we have to get back on track as a T20 team and I think so far, so good,” he said in a pre-match interview on Thursday.
The squad for the series comprises 12 of the 15 players that represented the region in the World Cup with Powell emphasizing keeping the core of the squad together with one eye on the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
Alick Athanaze, Fabian Allen and Matthew Forde are the three new members of the squad, replacing Brandon King, Alzarri Joseph and Andre Russell.
“We try our best as a selection group to keep it as close as possible to those guys in the World Cup looking forward to 2026,” Powell said.
“It’s also an opportunity for us to see other players like Alick (Athanaze), Fabian (Allen), Matthew (Forde) that we identified. Hopefully, once given the opportunity, they can grasp it with both hands,” he added.
Speaking about the team’s performance at the World Cup, Powell found some positives despite exiting the tournament earlier than they had hoped.
“I think we played good cricket. We had a clean slate right through the preliminary stage and faltered in the quarterfinals. I think we showed that we are a quality unit and if we prepare well and have the right plans, we can be successful at the international level,” he said.
With the West Indies currently sitting fourth in the ICC rankings, Powell also spoke about where the team wants to be at the end of 2025. Is it a case of wanting to just be high in the rankings or playing good cricket?
“I think it’s a mixture of both. Gone are the days when you played series just to play them. You use these series as building blocks and nothing is more important than winning. Once you win games you improve your ranking in the ICC standings and also guys become more familiar with roles and more encouraged to play for West Indies because the atmosphere and environment is a winning one,” he said.
“People want to associate themselves with winners so this is a building block for 2026. It might seem a long way away but we just need to continue to play good cricket series by series,” he added.
Seattle Sounders midfielder Joao Paolo insists every game matters and wants his team-mates to prove that against Minnesota United.
The Sounders return to MLS action on the back of a 3-0 defeat to Los Angeles FC in the Leagues Cup quarterfinal but will meet them again in the US Open Cup semifinal next week.
Seattle sit seventh in the tightly contested Western Conference, and Paulo has warned against the danger of looking past their test against Minnesota and focusing on the wrong game.
"We need to make a good game this weekend against Minnesota," he said.
"We need to try to build some momentum again and go in strong for the last few games. I think it's a good test for us ahead of next week [US Open Cup semi-final].
"The most important game is the next one, so we need to go in with that mentality."
Meanwhile, Minnesota sit four points below Saturday's opponents in ninth in the table.
They suffered disappointment in the Leagues Cup, bowing out in the group stage having lost their opener 2-0 to Seattle.
Minnesota suffered a dip in form prior to the break, but new signing Kelvin Yeboah says he buys into the club's promise.
"The project intrigued me, and speaking to the coach drew me to the club," Yeboah said.
"I made this decision based on the club's project and on the league, it's all growing, and that's what intrigued me."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Minnesota United – Robin Lod
Robin Lod has been involved in a career-high 17 regular-season goals in 2024 (six goals, 11 assists).
Only Darwin Quintero (26) in 2018 and Emanuel Reynoso (21) in 2022 have been involved in more in a single regular season in Minnesota's MLS history.
Seattle Sounders – Jordan Morris
Jordan Morris has scored a team-high nine regular-season goals for the Sounders in 2024.
With another goal, the American would become the ninth player in MLS history, and the first for Seattle, to have five double-digit scoring seasons with a single team.
MATCH PREDICTION: SEATTLE SOUNDERS WIN
Minnesota have won only one of 16 all-time meetings with the Sounders in all competitions (two draws, 13 losses). All three matches in which the Loons avoided defeat against Seattle came at home, including a 1-1 draw at Allianz Field last August.
The Sounders have won 10 of their 12 matches in all competitions dating back to late June. Both defeats in that time were 3-0 home losses to Los Angeles FC.
Meanwhile, Minnesota have won their last two home matches in all competitions, recording a 2-0 league win over San Jose Earthquakes before defeating Necaxa, 1-0, in the Leagues Cup. This is the first time the Loons have kept clean sheets in two straight home matches since a run of three straight in August-September 2021.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Minnesota United – 34.2%
Draw – 25.8%
Seattle Sounders – 40%
Adidas has announced the launch of its new Jamaican Football Federation (JFF) LFSTLR capsule collection paying homage to Jamaica’s historic 1998 FIFA World Cup team.
LFSTLR blurs the lines between football performance and streetwear culture, re-defining what it means to represent your team away from the terraces.
The collection is designed for all fashion-conscious fans who live and breathe football as much as they value their own individual style.
The heart of the collection is the LFSTLR jersey. A tribute to early 90s football, all the retro details are there.
The jersey boasts a unique blend of dull shiny trefoil engineered fabric, classic puff transfer prints, and refined flat knit cuff details.
This fashion-forward design is complemented by a polo collar, which was a stand-out design feature from the matchday jerseys worn by Jamaica's historic FIFA World Cup 1998 squad.
The full collection also features a supporting capsule of tracksuit, tee-shirt and shorts based on the iconic Adidas Originals Rekive silhouette.
With its vibrant combination of the unmistakable black, green and yellow of Jamaica, the collection’s colour arrangement is inspired by the heroics of the 1988 Jamaican bobsleigh team.
The iconic trefoil logo, rendered in white, stands out against the nation's colours. The collection's launch coincides with the world-famous Notting Hill Carnival, celebrating the rich cultural heritage and vibrant spirit of the Jamaican community in London.
Reflecting the link between football and the island’s distinctive musical flavour, Jamaican dancehall star, Shenseea joins the collections launch campaign in a series of exclusive shots.
The adidas Jamaica LFSTLR collection is available from Thursday from adidas.com and selected adidas stores and retailers.
Nick Cushing maintains 'sky-high' levels of belief in his New York City squad as they look to bounce back from their Leagues Cup disappointment against the Chicago Fire.
NYCFC reached the quarter-finals of the Leagues Cup, only to suffer a heartbreaking penalty shoot-out defeat to the Columbus Crew last week.
They resume their MLS campaign in a strong position, though, sitting fifth in the Eastern Conference standings and holding an eight-point cushion to the play-in spots.
Cushing does not expect City's Leagues Cup exit to affect them in the run-in, saying: "I said at the start of the season, when we started slowly, that my confidence in the group is sky-high and always has been.
"We fell below our standards last season, but I said then that tough times make top teams.
"If you have guys with a work ethic as high as ours is, you'll learn from your experiences. I have sky-high belief in this group of guys.
"This team has the capability, but it's about how you move forward, it's about the character to take the knocks and move forward."
Chicago, on the other hand, resume their campaign in 14th place, though the congested nature of the Eastern standings means they are only three points off a play-in place.
Head coach Frank Klopas has been grateful for the chance to work with his players on the training ground, with their own Leagues Cup campaign ending in the group stage three weeks ago.
"Putting all pressure and expectations aside, I think we need to be prepared, which we are, and this break has given us an opportunity to really work on that and also the little details," Klopas said.
"I think we need to go and play the game, not to overthink things, and be focused and organised without the ball."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
New York City – Santiago Rodriguez
Thirteen (seven goals, six assists) of Rodriguez's 16 regular-season goal contributions for New York City in 2024 have come at home.
Rodriguez has been involved in seven goals in his last five home league matches (three goals, four assists).
Chicago Fire – Hugo Cuypers
Cuypers has recorded a team-high 11 goal contributions in regular-season play for the Fire this year (nine goals, two assists).
The only player since 2021 with more than 11 goal contributions in a season for Chicago was Xherdan Shaqiri (18) in 2022.
MATCH PREDICTION – NEW YORK CITY WIN
New York City have won eight straight regular-season matches against Chicago, tied for the second-longest active home winning streak by one team over another in MLS.
It is also NYCFC's longest home winning run against a particular team in MLS, though they have drawn six of their last eight games in all competitions (one win, one loss).
However, a Chicago team that has lost their last three games in all competitions should not present much of a threat. This is the Fire's 10th losing streak of three or more matches since the start of the 2020 season.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
New York City – 61%
Chicago Fire – 18.5%
Draw – 20.5%
Brendon Rodney, fresh off his gold medal triumph as part of Canada’s 4x100m relay team at the Paris 2024 Olympics, is set to embark on a new chapter that bridges his illustrious sprinting career with his passion for education and athlete development. The Toronto-born sprinter, whose parents hail from Jamaica, has been appointed as the Assistant Athletics Director at G.C. Foster College of Sport in Spanish Town, Jamaica—a role that not only brings him closer to his roots but also allows him to shape the future of athletics on the island.
For Rodney, this appointment is more than just a job; it’s a homecoming. Although he’s represented Canada on the world stage, including winning an Olympic silver medal at Tokyo 2020 and a world championship gold in 2022, Rodney has always maintained a deep connection to Jamaica. Training on the island under the watchful eye of Maurice Wilson, a veteran coach with a storied history at the Olympics and World Championships, Rodney has experienced first-hand the rich athletic culture that Jamaica is known for.
But Rodney’s connection to Jamaica extends beyond the track. Over the past year, he’s not only honed his speed and technique on Jamaican soil, but he’s also immersed himself in the academic community at G.C. Foster College, teaching courses and sharing his expertise with the next generation of athletes. His involvement with the college deepened further when he partnered with the Canadian High Commission in Kingston to launch the Brendon Rodney Foundation, providing scholarships to deserving students—a testament to his commitment to education and empowerment.
In his new role at G.C. Foster, Rodney is poised to leverage his experiences as an elite athlete and his academic background—a master’s degree in exercise science from Long Island University—to elevate the college’s athletics program. His responsibilities will be far-reaching: from overseeing the development of student-athletes to ensuring that the college’s sports teams, coaches, and facilities meet international standards. Perhaps most importantly, Rodney will play a key role in recruiting talent and managing the disbursement of scholarships, helping to provide opportunities for young athletes to thrive.
"G.C. Foster has been more than just a training ground for me; it’s become a part of who I am as an athlete and a mentor," Rodney shared, reflecting on his journey. "I’m excited to take on this role and to give back to the community that has supported me throughout my career."
Rodney’s journey from the Olympic podium to the halls of G.C. Foster College is a powerful narrative of full-circle fulfillment. It underscores the importance of investing in the next generation and the profound impact that athletes can have when they transition from competition to mentorship. His presence at G.C. Foster is not just about enhancing the college’s reputation but about instilling a sense of possibility and ambition in young athletes who aspire to follow in his footsteps.
As Rodney takes on this leadership role, he carries with him the hopes of nurturing the next wave of Jamaican and Caribbean athletes, ensuring that the legacy of excellence he has contributed to on the track continues to thrive off it as well. The transition from sprinter to educator and administrator is a testament to his dedication, not just to his sport, but to the broader community that has always been part of his journey.
Dean Smith is solely focused on pushing for a playoff place as Charlotte FC prepare to return to MLS action against the New York Red Bulls on Saturday.
Charlotte endured a disappointing Leagues Cup campaign as they finished bottom of a group containing the Philadelphia Union and Cruz Azul, recording one draw and one defeat.
That early exit gave former Aston Villa boss Smith three weeks to work with his players ahead of MLS' return this weekend, with Charlotte currently sixth in the Eastern Conference, some 10 points clear of the teams outside the playoff picture.
"In the two or three weeks since the exit from the Leagues Cup, we've been solely focused on a playoff push, on getting our mindset right for what it's going to take," Smith said.
"The players have responded really well. We've had some days off when they've needed them, but our focus now is on New York, and then on Atlanta.
"We can take a lot of confidence from what we did in our last three games, all tough away from home, and we came away with five points. We'll take the positives from that."
The Red Bulls also went out of the Leagues Cup early, drawing both of their group matches with Toronto FC and Pachuca before losing penalty shoot-outs to both.
They are four points clear of Charlotte in the standings, but boss Sandro Schwarz feels they needed the time off.
"First of all, we needed to take a break, it was important for us. We played every week at the highest intensity, working since the middle of January without a break," Schwarz said.
"At this point it's good to have the break, then we have clear preparations for how we want to start in Charlotte."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Charlotte FC – Ben Bender
Bender has scored four goals in five career matches against the Red Bulls. No Charlotte player has scored more goals against a single opponent than Bender has against New York.
New York Red Bulls – Elias Manoel
Manoel has scored six goals in five career matches against Charlotte (including playoffs) while scoring more than once against just one other opponent (two versus D.C. United).
In fact, Manoel has scored just seven goals in 57 MLS matches against teams other than Charlotte.
MATCH PREDICTION – CHARLOTTE FC WIN
The Red Bulls have only lost one of their seven games against Charlotte in all competitions (four wins, two draws) but have never defeated the Crown on the road (one draw, one loss).
Saturday's visitors are unbeaten in 10 straight matches (two wins, eight draws), though both of their Leagues Cup matches were draws followed by penalty shoot-out defeats. On the road, they are winless in six (three draws, three defeats).
Charlotte, meanwhile, have kept nine clean sheets in their last 14 regular-season home games dating back to last October, the most in MLS during that time. That solidity could get them over the line here.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Charlotte FC – 41.7%
New York Red Bulls – 31.6%
Draw – 26.7%
An impressive all-round bowling performance and ice-veined innings from captain Hayley Matthews saw Barbados Royals defeat Guyana Amazon Warriors by one wicket with a solitary delivery remaining in a thrilling opening match of the 2024 Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL).
Matthews won the toss and chose to field first at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad and her side restricted the Warriors to what was thought to be a below-par score of 118-9 off their 20 overs. The wickets were shared around between Royals’ seam and spin bowlers, Aaliyah Alleyne taking 3-21 from her four overs including the crucial wicket of a well-set Stafanie Taylor for 38.
It was far from a comfortable chase for the Royals, the 2023 champions found themselves 44-3 and 50-4 during their innings but Matthews kept her head with wickets falling all around her, finishing unbeaten on 61 not out off 58 deliveries having batted through the innings to secure victory for her side and get the defence of their trophy off to a winning start.
An undulating match began with the Warriors struggling to get any momentum with the bat after losing both openers inside the PowerPlay. Captain Lauren Winford-Hill was bowled by a fast delivery from Alleyne that zipped off the floodlit wicket and Natasha McLean fended off Qiana Joseph to be well caught inside the inner circle by a diving Cherry-Ann Fraser.
At 59-2 after 10 overs the Warriors then lost wickets regularly in the second half of their innings which duly served to stifle their run scoring.
Stafanie Taylor played a typically classy knock, hitting four fours and a six to anchor the innings for the Warriors before Alleyne made the crucial breakthrough by bowling her with the second ball of the 17th over. Amanda-Jade Wellington found turn and a kept a tight line for the Royals, the Australian leg-spinner finishing impressively with 2-19 off her four overs to set up a seemingly straightforward chase.
The Royals also lost regular wickets in their reply, Shabnim Isamil the pick of bowlers for the Warriors, picking 4-16 from her four overs and looking threatening with almost every delivery she sent down.
Erin Burns pulled off an early contender for catch of the competition, a flashing drive by Georgia Redmayne seeing Burns produce a wonderfully athletic diving grab at point. Definitely one for the highlights reel and the repeat button.
Chloe Tryon ensured the game went down to the wire by stitching together five consecutive dots to Shabika Gajnabi in a penultimate over that went for just one run.
With seven needed off the final six balls, Winford-Hill entrusted 19-year-old leg-spinner Nyia Latchman with the final over. The teenager kept her nerve impressively but it wasn’t enough to stop Matthews using all her skill and experience to find the gaps in the outfield and get her side over the line at the last.
Jamaican netball star Shanice Beckford has re-signed with West Coast Fever for the 2025 season of the Suncorp Super Netball League, following a standout debut season with the club. Beckford's re-signing solidifies her place in the Fever's roster, where she has quickly become a vital asset, particularly with her strong connection to fellow Jamaican and star shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard.
During the 2024 season, Beckford played in every game, showcasing her skills on the international stage and seamlessly transferring her chemistry with Fowler-Nembhard onto the SSN court. She finished the season with 94 goals, including 26 Super Shots, highlighting her impact as a dynamic and reliable Goal Attack.
Fever General Manager Sue Gaudion expressed her excitement about Beckford's return, emphasizing the significant role she plays within the team. “We are really excited to have Shanice Beckford back in Green for 2025 and we cannot wait to see her take her game to the next level as she becomes more familiar with the Fever environment and system," Gaudion said. "Shanice has shown she has what it takes to compete, and her blistering start to her SSN career in 2024 is a prime example of what she can deliver."
Gaudion also highlighted Beckford's transition into a full-time, professional environment for the first time in her career, noting the positive impact it has had on her development. "This year saw Shanice step into a full-time, professional environment for the first time in her career, and we know she will continue to thrive as she benefits from the experiences she has at West Coast Fever. Her team-first attitude, drive to improve, and her strong connection with Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard make her a vital component of our contracted 10 for 2025.”
Beckford, equally thrilled to be returning to the Fever, reflected on her incredible debut experience and her eagerness for the upcoming season. “I had the most incredible debut experience in the Suncorp Super Netball League with West Coast Fever," Beckford said. "Being part of the West Coast Fever environment was truly amazing. I had a fantastic time building long-lasting relationships with my teammates and the coaching staff, while simultaneously learning and growing in my netball skills."
She added, "The whole experience of being in Western Australia has been absolutely extraordinary. I am eagerly anticipating the upcoming 2025 season and can't wait to see what it has in store, especially playing alongside my teammates in front of the passionate and supportive Green Army. I am genuinely thrilled to be back and looking forward to the exciting journey ahead.”
Beckford's re-signing completes West Coast Fever’s contracted 10 for the 2025 season, which includes key players such as Jess Anstiss (Captain), Ruth Aryang, Sunday Aryang, Jordan Cransberg, Kadie-Ann Dehaney, Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, Alice Teague-Neeld, Olivia Wilkinson, and Fran Williams.
As Beckford prepares to take her game to new heights in 2025, fans of West Coast Fever and the Green Army can look forward to another thrilling season with their star Goal Attack leading the charge.
Los Angeles FC will do battle with the Columbus Crew in the Leagues Cup final in what will be a rematch of their 2023 MLS Cup encounter.
In that fixture, the Crew emerged victorious over LAFC, with both sides meeting at the Lower.com Field once again to decide who takes this year's crown.
LAFC cruised into the showpiece match with a commanding 4-0 triumph over the Colorado Rapids at the BMO Stadium.
Steve Cherundolo's side dominated proceedings in the first half and were rewarded before the interval with two quickfire goals from Mateusz Bogusz and Kei Kamara.
Bogusz rounded off a fine team move with a curled effort from outside the area, with Kamara finishing beyond Zack Steffen after being picked out by Ryan Hollingshead.
The victory was all but confirmed in some style as Denis Bouanga ran the length of the pitch, ending with a left-footed strike low into the bottom corner.
Lewis O'Brien added further gloss to an impressive display in the 75th minute, coming off the bench to mark his second appearance for the club with his first goal.
Earlier in the day, the Crew confirmed their place in Sunday's final following a 3-1 victory over Philadelphia Union.
The hosts took the lead in the 12th minute when Diego Rossi found himself in the right place at the right time to head home as he followed up Cucho Hernandez's shot from distance.
Daniel Gazdag levelled for the Union just after the half-hour mark, taking advantage of the Crew trying to play out of the back before finishing beyond Patrick Schulte.
But Rossi, who is the Leagues Cup's leading scorer, restored his side's advantage before the break after being picked out by an exquisite chip from Christian Ramirez.
Wilfried Nancy's side confirmed the victory eight minutes after the interval as Hernandez got his goal, seeing his initial headed effort saved, only to follow up the rebound.
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