The Colorado Rapids are seeking a fifth straight home win when they face the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, but coach Chris Armas says their previous results will count for nothing if they do not execute on the day.
Colorado sit fourth in the Western Conference, six points behind leaders Los Angeles FC, after winning five of their last six games (one defeat).
At DICK'S Sporting Goods Park, they have won their last four matches against Austin FC (2-0), CF Montreal (4-1), Sporting Kansas City (2-1) and St. Louis City (4-1).
Armas, however, says all that good work could easily be undone if they do not understand how to combat the Red Bulls' high-pressing style.
"It's five out of the last six that we've won but this is the past. We have to reset and be ready against a really good team," Armas said.
"Part one is to understand the opposition and part two is to execute. This is very specific, they're very clear in the way they play.
"I've seen a lot of teams play against them but it's not easy against that philosophy. It's very intensive and you have to actually go out and execute your plan."
The Red Bulls are also flying high, sitting fourth in the East after going five games unbeaten, though four of those have finished level.
They have lost key attacking midfielder Emil Forsberg to injury and he is expected to be sidelined for at least a month, but head coach Sandro Schwarz is confident they can cope.
"With Emil the situation is now clear, but we also played the last two games without Emil," Schwarz said. "We showed, for me, very good performances.
"He's a key player, for sure, but now we have to handle it and it's my job with the coaching staff to cope with this. Hopefully he will come back as soon as possible."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Colorado Rapids – Cole Bassett
Bassett, Kevin Cabral and Jonathan Lewis all had a goal and an assist in the Rapids' 4-1 win over St. Louis last Sunday, the first time three Rapids players had done so in the same match since 2008 – Mehdi Ballouchy, Colin Clark and Tom McManus versus the Red Bulls.
Bassett's seven goals in MLS this term have only been bettered by Rafael Navarro (11) and Djordje Mihailovic (10) among Colorado players.
New York Red Bulls – Dante Vanzier
Vanzier averages 0.42 assists per 90 minutes in MLS this year, the fifth-best figure in the competition, while he has also created 1.55 chances per game.
The Red Bulls may have to absorb plenty of pressure on Saturday, but they will be keen to get Vanzier involved whenever they manage to mount an attack.
MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW
The Rapids have won their last two meetings with the Red Bulls, including an incredible 5-4 victory the last time the sides faced off in 2022. Colorado had only won three of their previous 12 matches against them in all competitions dating back to 2010.
Colorado have won seven of their last nine games on home soil (one draw, one loss), including their last four in a row, their longest home winning streak since a six-match run spanning the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
The Red Bulls, though, are solid opponents and played out a goalless draw on the road against the Philadelphia Union last time out – their fourth of the campaign. It would be no surprise to see them attempt to keep things tight again here.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Colorado Rapids – 36.8%
New York Red Bulls – 37%
Draw – 26.3%
Toronto FC head coach John Herdman is hoping his players can rediscover their confidence as they prepare to welcome Philadelphia Union to the BMO Field this weekend.
The Reds come into the game off the back of a defeat in their Canadian Championship semi-final defeat to Forge FC in the first game of their two-legged tie.
But fortunes have not been different in the MLS. Toronto have failed to win a league game since a 5-1 victory against CF Montreal back in May, losing eight of their last nine games.
That poor run of form leaves them in ninth in the Eastern Conference, with Herdman saying that the way in which his side are conceding goals is affecting their confidence on the pitch.
“When you’re on a run like this, confidence is ebbing and flowing so you are more susceptible to the big moments,” Herdman said.
“It’s a few goals that we have conceded, but it’s another goal we have conceded with a ball like that and confidence just ebbs.
“We got back into it and scored our goal. We had a few good chances, but again, I think what we saw was a commitment from our players when there is that desperation and there’s an absolute clarity that it is all on the line.”
For Philadelphia Union, meanwhile, they have endured a similar run of results that leaves them just a point ahead of bottom side D.C. United in the Eastern Conference standings.
Philadelphia’s draw with New England Revolution halted a run of five consecutive losses, but they have also not won since May – a 3-0 win over the Revs.
Head coach Jim Curtin understands the magnitude of the game between two of the division’s out of form sides and insisted that his side need to find a way of getting a result.
"Toronto is a big one for both teams. We're both struggling, both not where we want to be, I think both have more quality within their group than the point total shows,” Curtin said.
“But I've said it before you are what your record says you are, and we have to find a way to get a result.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Toronto FC – Prince Owusu
Having failed to score in six matches after picking up a calf injury, Prince Owusu found himself back among the goals for Toronto against Forge FC.
The striker has three goals from three appearances in the Canadian Championship, and he will be keen to transfer that form into the MLS, having netted six goals from 20 outings so far.
Philadelphia Union – Mikael Uhre
Over the years, three Union players (Sergio Santos, Daniel Gazdag and Mikael Uhre) have scored hat-tricks against Toronto FC since 2020, and Mikael Uhre would love to net another treble this time around.
Uhre has scored four goals in five games against the Reds, the joint-most he has managed in the MLS (Montreal and D.C. United – also four).
MATCH PREDICTION: PHILADELPHIA UNION WIN
With both sides in desperate need of a victory, Opta’s data-led simulations have Philadelphia claiming the win at the BMO Field, but their record in Toronto is far from impressive.
The Union have won just one of their last 10 meetings with Toronto on the road (D2, L7), dating back to 2015. Philadelphia’s only victory in Toronto during that time was a 2-1 win in May 2019.
Toronto FC have lost six straight regular-season matches for the sixth time since the start of the 2021 season. They had one losing streak of six or more matches in their first 14 MLS seasons (2007-20).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Toronto FC – 30.2%
Draw – 24.9%
Philadelphia Union – 44.9%
On June 30, at the final day of the Jamaica National Championships held at the National Stadium in Kingston, reigning world 100m hurdles champion Danielle Williams secured her place on her first-ever Olympic team with a second-place finish in 12.53 seconds. This achievement comes at the age of 31, after two previous unsuccessful attempts, marking a significant milestone in her illustrious career.
Williams, who had set the previous national record of 12.32 seconds in 2019, finished behind Ackera Nugent, who won the event with a new national record of 12.28 seconds. Janeek Brown, who previously held the record before Williams, finished third in a season’s best 12.61 seconds.
When asked by Sportsmax.TV about her emotions on making the Jamaica Olympic team for the first time, Williams expressed her gratitude and humility.
"To be honest, I don’t feel any different. I am happy, I’m blessed to be on the team this time around. God is an on-time God. It is His will for me to be on the team this time; the other two times it wasn’t His will, so I’m just giving Him thanks, staying in the moment, staying grounded; going back to work and gearing up for Paris."
Williams had aimed for a faster time, and her second-place finish in 12.53 seconds was a bit surprising given her current form and expectations.
"I felt I would have gone 12.3 or low 12.4, so 12.53 was a bit surprising given the shape I am in and how I felt, but again, God’s time and not my time, and the time will come. I am just happy to finish in the top three."
Reflecting on her world title victory in Budapest last year, Williams emphasized that her confidence heading into the Jamaican championships came from her ability to trust her body rather than her previous win.
"I have always been confident; winning last year didn’t affect my confidence for this year. The confidence I get is that I can trust my body; my body is not failing me this year. I have been able to stay injury-free, and that is all the confidence I need."
Williams' coach, Lennox Graham, acknowledged that there were areas needing improvement for Williams to perform at her best in Paris. Despite her solid performance, Graham saw room for technical refinement.
"You know me; I will always say yes because I am always striving to get better. She ran 12.46 there earlier in the season with a lot of load, and so I could see why she would believe; she would be running well in practice and running 12.46 loaded when she came for the Jamaica Athletic Invitational, there is no way we wouldn’t believe she would run faster."
Graham pinpointed specific issues during the race that need to be addressed.
"She didn’t have a technically good race and she picked a good time to do it because usually in Jamaica you have a technically bad race you run fourth or fifth so it was fortunate for us that she was 12.53 and second. Ackera Nugent ran a great race, 12.28, anywhere you go and run 12.2 (you do well), so we are not taking anything away from her, but I believe Ants was in shape to run faster than 12.5 for sure."
The coach identified the final hurdles as a critical area needing improvement.
"She was not happy with the last three hurdles I was not happy with the last five because that was where it started going wrong. It’s not something that is unfixable, it’s something that can be adjusted. At the end of the day, the athlete has to go out there and race. We can see the progress being made in practice, but then you have to go out there and race."
Graham elaborated on the technical aspects that need correction.
"Over the last five hurdles, she was just running. The hurdles is a rhythm race, it’s not just running, so you just have to embrace that and make the necessary corrections to make sure that she stays in rhythm because she went out of rhythm, totally out of rhythm. But it’s a good problem to have; you’re on the team because we have gone in 2016 and 2020 and not made the team."
Reflecting on past disappointments, Graham emphasized the significance of Williams making the team at age 31.
"2016, we were leading and then ran into a hurdle, jumped over it and out of the race. 2020, we ran hard and was fourth. So we missed it twice and to get it at 31 years old is a blessing. We are holding it with both hands and with both legs wrapped around it. Now we are going to try and show up and make ourselves and Jamaica proud. That is our plan."
Minnesota United head coach Eric Ramsay is hopeful they can bounce back after conceding another late goal when they travel to Houston Dynamo on Saturday.
The Loons are currently on a six-match losing streak, their worst such run in club history, which has seen them drop to 10th in the Western Conference.
Minnesota conceded a 90th-minute winner against LA Galaxy last weekend, leaving Ramsay frustrated at being unable to snap their poor streak.
"It's coming down to exceptionally fine margins and what's really tough at the moment is the performances aren't too big a problem, but it's at the end of a very tough month, so it adds insult to injury," Ramsay said.
"I only take it one day at a time and try not to let the big picture loom too large. We're in a difficult period so we need to alter our expectations from what they were a month ago.
"It's a good learning curve for me as a young coach, and a test to stay positive and hope the results don't influence the day-to-day so we can keep putting out a competitive team."
Meanwhile, Houston sit two places and one point above their opponents, though their six-game unbeaten run was ended by a 3-2 defeat to Real Salt Lake.
Their previous match against Los Angeles FC was postponed due to bad weather, so after an extended break, head coach Ben Olsen is looking to improve on that performance.
"We looked a little bit unfocused, and I think we understood the task going into it, but on the pitch, we didn't, and I don't think I hammered that in enough," Olsen said.
"We were lackadaisical, gave up poor goals, played into their hands. Not the greatest performance from us, but maybe we should've come away with something."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Houston Dynamo – Ibrahim Aliyu
Ibrahim Aliyu has scored in back-to-back matches, taking his goal tally to a team-high six for the Dynamo this season.
The Nigerian has scored at least once in each of the last five months dating back to March.
Minnesota United – Teemu Pukki
Teemu Pukki scored his 13th MLS goal in Minnesota's defeat to LA Galaxy on Sunday. Six of Pukki's 13 goals have been scored in four career matches against the Galaxy, while he has scored seven times in his other 26 MLS appearances in total.
MATCH PREDICTION: HOUSTON DYNAMO WIN
Houston have won two of their last three meetings with Minnesota in all competitions (lost one), including a 2-1 road win on April 13, after losing the previous six meetings. The Dynamo have never completed a single-season league double over Minnesota before.
However, Houston have won only four of their last 14 regular-season matches (drawn five, lost five), dating back to mid-April after winning four of their previous five games (L1).
Meanwhile, Minnesota have lost six straight matches for the first time in club history. The Loons had lost five of their previous 20 games dating back to the end of last season.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Houston Dynamo – 53.2%
Draw – 24%
Minnesota United – 22.9%
Orlando City head coach Oscar Pareja is hopeful his side can continue their play-off journey ahead of facing New England Revolution this weekend.
The Lions recorded consecutive victories with an emphatic display against D.C. United last time out as they put on a five-star showing at the Inter&Co Stadium.
Their latest result leaves them in seventh place in the Eastern Conference, five points behind Charlotte FC.
Pareja insists his side must continue to improve as they aim to climb the league table, believing his players have found confidence and connection at an important stage of the season.
“First we will try to keep and then improve the level, like always,” Pareja said. “The results obviously just give us more confidence to continue winning games and adding important points.
“I think the functionality of the team is much better and the cohesiveness that we have found in the last two games has given us optimism.
“We will keep working. The journey is still in front of us, and we have to keep improving and see if we can maintain this level of not just playing well but having that confidence in front of goal."
New England, meanwhile, enter the contest off the back of a 2-0 defeat to Seattle Sounders, their first defeat on the road in two games having recorded impressive victories over CF Cincinnati and Nashville SC.
The Revs remain among a cluster of teams separated by just four points at the bottom end of the Eastern Conference table, currently sitting 12th in the division.
However, Caleb Porter’s side have impressed at home in recent weeks, and the New England head coach stressed the importance of claiming successes in their next two games at the Gillette Stadium ahead of the Leagues Cup break.
“It’s really important. You have to take care of business at home, and we didn’t do that earlier in the year but we have been able to do that a bit more recently,” Porter said.
“The guys have gained confidence at home, and this will be another tough game.
“We have three games now until a kind of break. This is our 21st game so it’s going to happen fast, but we want to get as many points as possible before the break and that sets up a kind of a stretch run.
“We will have only 11 games to go so the next two home games before this break, we need to push really hard to take care of business.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
New England Revolution – Carles Gil
Some players find a side that they just cannot stop scoring against, and Carles Gil has proved to be Orlando City’s kryptonite in previous meetings.
Gil has recorded 11 goal contributions against the Lions (five goals, six assists. Only Sebastian Giovinco (15) has achieved more than the Spaniard.
Orlando City – Facundo Torres
Facundo Torres is already a firm fan favourite for his dynamic attacking displays, and his statistics have him among some of the best players to play for Orlando.
Since arriving at the club in 2022, Torres has notched 47 regular-season goal contributions, ranking him fourth for the most in club history. He is two behind Cyle Larin and Mauricio Pereyra (49 each) for joint-second in the Lions’ MLS history.
MATCH PREDICTION: NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION WIN
New England will be hopeful of maintaining their impressive recent form at the Gillette Stadium, having three of their last four home matches (L1). Prior to this run, they had recorded just one victory in their previous seven games in front of their own supporters (D1, L5).
The Revs also hold an impressive record over their opponents on home turf and have never lost to Orlando at the Gillette Stadium (W6 D2). New England have also outscored their opponents 21-6 over their eight meetings in Foxborough.
However, the Lions will be confident of ending their losing streak away to New England. Their 5-0 win over D.C. United equalled the largest margin of victory in the club’s history. It was the third five-goal triumph, with the first of those coming against the Revs in a 6-1 win back in 2017.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
New England Revolution – 40.7%
Draw – 26.7%
Orlando City – 32.7%
Defending champions Jamaica and the Windward Islands were evenly poised at stumps on day one of their opening encounter of the 2024 CWI Rising Stars Under-19 2-Day Championship in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Thursday.
The Jamaicans, after winning the toss and bowling first at Arnos Vale, restricted the Windwards to 135 all out in 45.2 overs in their first innings.
West Indies Under-19 Captain Stephan Pascal led the way for the Windwards with 26 while Lee John, Kirtney Franklyn and Kirt Murray all chipped in with 23, 22, and 21, respectively.
Leg-spinner Tamarie Redwood was the pick of the Jamaican bowlers with 6-44 from 17.2 overs while medium pacer Michael Clarke took 4-26 from 12 overs.
The Jamaicans then reached 146-8 off 34.1 overs before declaring close to the end of the day’s play.
West Indies Under-19 opener Adrian Weir top scored with 38 while captain Brian Barnes made 30 and Steve Wedderburn, who also represented the West Indies Under-19s at the World Cup earlier this year, made 28.
Kirt Murray took 4-22 from his 6.1 overs of left arm spin while Aaron Joseph took 2-24 from five overs of medium pace.
The Windwards reached 27-0 off five overs at stumps, leading by 16 runs.
Full Scores:
Windward Islands U-19s 135 all out off 45.2 overs (Stephan Pascal 26, Lee John 23, Kirtney Franklyn 22, Kirt Murray 21, Tamarie Redwood 6-44, Michael Clarke 4-26) & 27-0 off five overs (Stephan Pascal 15*, Theo Edward 10*)
Jamaica U-19s 146-8 declared off 34.1 overs (Adrian Weir 38, Brian Barnes 30, Steve Wedderburn 28, Michael Clarke 24, Kirt Murray 4-22, Aaron Joseph 2-24)
At Sion Hill Playing Field, Trinidad & Tobago trail Barbados by 149 runs at stumps on day one.
Barbados made 200-9 declared off 67 overs after being put in to bat by their Trinidadian counterparts on Thursday.
Jatario Prescod led the way with 55* and was well supported by Joshua Morris who made a patient 43.
Raneico Smith (21) and captain Nathan Sealy (20) also provided useful knocks.
Left arm pacer Jacen Agard took 4-50 from 17 overs for T&T and was well supported by Aneal Rooplal’s 2-36 off 11 overs.
At stumps, Trinidad & Tobago reached 51-3 off 17 overs. Openers Justin Jagessar and Kyle Ramdoo made 22 and 15, respectively.
Full Scores:
Barbados U-19s 200-9 declared off 67 overs (Jatario Prescod 55, Joshua Morris 43, Raneico Smith 21, Nathan Sealy 20, Jacen Agard 4-50, Aneal Rooplal 2-36)
Trinidad & Tobago U-19s 51-3 off 17 overs (Justin Jagessar 22, Kyle Ramdoo 15)
At Park Hill Playing Field, Leeward Islands Under-19s trail Guyana Under-19s by 27 runs.
The Leewards restricted Guyana to 111 all out off 34.2 overs after winning the toss.
Jonathan Van Lange top scored for the Guyanese with 28 while Rampertab Ramnauth made 22 against 5-21 from West Indies Under-19 pacer Nathan Edward.
Micah McKenzie and Matthew Miller also bowled well with 2-18 from 10 overs and 2-23 from five overs, respectively.
The Leewards then reached 84-2 off 20 overs at stumps with Devanand Singh and captain Jewel Andrew at the crease on 22* and 16*, respectively.
Full Scores:
Guyana U-19s 111 all out off 34.2 overs (Jonathan van Lange 28, Rampertab Ramnauth 22, Nathan Edward 5-21, Micah McKenzie 2-18, Matthew Miller 2-23)
Leeward Islands U-19s 84-2 off 20 overs (Michael Palmer 24, Devanand Singh 22*, Jewel Andrew 16*)
As expected, Sada Williams headlines a four-member Barbados team to the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The 26-year-old World Bronze medallist is one of two track and field athletes who will compete for Barbados at the July 26-August 12 event.
Williams, who trains in Jamaica, will contest the Women's 400 metres, while sprinter Tristan Evelyn is set to take part in the Women's 100 metres.
Matthew Wright is the lone Triathlete while the other competitor is swimmer Jack Kirby, who gained a Universality Place.
Greg Vanney is anticipating another draining week for his LA Galaxy players as they head to Texas to tackle FC Dallas.
The Galaxy played two home games in quick succession, losing to rivals Los Angeles FC and beating Minnesota United, before a break ahead of this match.
But the July heat means Vanney sees this next task being little easier for his side, with another home double-header quickly following as the Colorado Rapids and the Portland Timbers visit LA.
"We have a couple of days from a busy and emotional week, just to reset physically and mentally, and then you start to prepare for what's going to be another busy week after," he said.
"We start off in Dallas. Dallas is always tough, especially this time of year. It's a special kind of tough with the weather.
"Then we come back for two more at home. We'll road map out how we want to approach next week and prepare the group."
After the setback of the LAFC defeat, a win over Minnesota at least lifted spirits ahead of this stretch.
Vanney continued: "It's nice doing that coming off a win. It feels a lot better as you go into this week and everybody can kind of relax and enjoy a couple of days, and then we get right back to work."
The Galaxy have also had time to get back on the training pitch before playing Dallas, with Vanney acknowledging he was focusing solely on the result against Minnesota given the quick turnaround.
"I think sometimes in the third games you put away some of the stuff that you normally are really, really picky on," he said.
"You've just got to suffer through it a little bit, and we did enough to get the three points [against Minnesota].
"We'll take it, and we'll talk about how we want to keep improving and get better and attack the next week, so just I'm glad we managed to get the three points."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
FC Dallas – Petar Musa
Musa missed out on Croatia's squad for Euro 2024, but while his international team-mates were exiting at the group stage, he has been tearing it up in MLS.
The forward has scored in four of his past five matches for six total goals across that span.
He is only the eighth Dallas player to score six or more goals across a run of five matches in MLS history.
LA Galaxy – Gabriel Pec
The Galaxy have their own in-form star in Pec, who scored both goals in the 2-1 win over Minnesota.
He is not just a goalscorer, however, adding seven assists to his nine MLS goals this season.
Indeed, Pec has either scored, assisted or provided a secondary assist in six straight games, the longest such streak from a Galaxy player since Javier Hernandez's eight across 2021 and 2022.
MATCH PREDICTION: DALLAS WIN
It is little wonder Vanney was not exactly relishing this trip, as Dallas have won seven in a row at home against the Galaxy. An eighth would make this the outright longest winning run for any team at home to the Galaxy in the MLS regular season.
And Dallas' home form is imperious right now, too. They have won six of their past eight at home.
The Galaxy are at least themselves in good shape, winning seven of nine for the first time in a single regular season since 2019, but only league leaders FC Cincinnati have won at Dallas since the start of April.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
FC Dallas – 38.8%
LA Galaxy – 34.7%
Draw – 26.5%
Two of the form teams in MLS's Western Conference will go head to head on Saturday when the Portland Timbers host Real Salt Lake.
The Timbers have won four of their past five matches to climb to fifth, showing signs they have got to grips with Phil Neville's system in his first season with the club.
But Portland are still some 10 points behind RSL, one of the league's standout teams this year.
Without defeat at home in two months, the Timbers are at least in confident mood heading into this next tough test.
"I think now the team is very confident in the system we are playing," said captain Diego Chara.
"From my point of view, we have to just continue, getting more games, more wins and get to the playoffs."
Neville will have to find a way for Portland to handle Diego Luna, who missed out on a place in the United States' squad for the Olympics but responded in stunning fashion.
Luna scored one and assisted three more in a 5-2 win over Atlanta United, taking the 20-year-old to five goals and eight assists for the season.
Two-time MLS Golden Boot winner Bradley Wright-Phillips told This is MLS: "To me, [Luna not making the US squad] is wild.
"How he's not in the squad, I don't understand. It may be something personal, because who's playing better than him right now in this country at his age in that position? There's no one."
Luna will be looking for a repeat performance against the Timbers, keeping his focus on RSL's fine form.
"Decisions are made in soccer. There are different teams with different coaches," he said. "There's nothing you can do about that, and I'm grateful to be here and to be able to stay here with RSL in this great run of form.
"I'm happy, focused, here with RSL and will continue to work hard."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Portland Timbers – Jonathan Rodriguez
It is difficult to pick out Portland's star man as, right now, they have three.
Rodriguez (11 goals), Felipe Mora (10) and Evander (10) are the first trio of team-mates in MLS history to each have 10 or more goals for the season before the beginning of August.
However, Rodriguez is the man in form, having netted twice in last week's 4-1 win over Nashville.
Real Salt Lake – Andres Gomez
Although he did not net against Atlanta, Luna's outstanding form is good news for Gomez. Three of his 11 goals this season have been created by Luna.
Indeed, Gomez is himself at the centre of much of RSL's best work, providing three assists for top scorer Chicho Arango and receiving a further three in return.
MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW
RSL might be one of the league's best this year, but they are winless in seven straight games at Providence Park.
In fact, RSL have only two away wins against Portland in the MLS regular season, with those coming back in 2012 and 2017.
However, seven of their other 14 meetings in Oregon have been drawn, and that might be a result both sides would settle for.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Portland Timbers – 37.1 per cent
Real Salt Lake – 36.6 per cent
Draw – 26.3 per cent
In the world of track and field, the 400m hurdles is an event that combines speed, stamina, and precision. For Jamaica, a nation renowned for its sprinting prowess, achieving excellence in this gruelling discipline has been a long journey.
Winthrop Graham, the former national record holder and Olympic silver medallist, recently expressed his delight and satisfaction in seeing two young Jamaican athletes finally break the 48-second barrier in the 400m hurdles—a milestone he believes was long overdue.
Graham's illustrious career includes setting a national record of 47.63 seconds at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, where he secured a silver medal behind Kevin Young's world record-breaking performance of 46.78 seconds. A year later, at the World Championships in Helsinki, Graham slightly improved his record to 47.60 seconds, earning another silver medal. This record stood unchallenged for three decades, a testament to Graham's remarkable talent and perseverance.
However, the 2023 World Championships in Budapest marked a turning point for Jamaican hurdling. During the semi-finals, Roshawn Clarke smashed Graham's long-standing record, heralding a new era for Jamaica in the event. Less than a year later, Malik James-King joined the elite club of 47-second hurdlers, delivering a stunning lifetime best of 47.42 seconds at the national championships, dethroning Clarke as the reigning champion.
Witnessing these historic performances from the sidelines, Graham was overwhelmed with joy. "I was sitting watching with a big smile," Graham told Sportsmax.TV. "Because, more than anyone else probably, I am absolutely excited to see them performing like that. This was way overdue."
While Clarke finished second to James-King with a time of 48.04 seconds with Jaheel Hyde knocking at the door with a season’s best 48.35, Graham remains confident in Clarke's potential. "For sure, I watched his races last year and I watched his races now and I can tell he is not where he should be but he will get there. I mean, it is still early in the season. Usually, this is the time you start fine-tuning your steps and I can tell he is not exactly where he was last year but you can tell his strength and speed are there, it's just about getting the technique together."
Graham's insights reflect his deep understanding of the sport and his faith in the next generation of Jamaican hurdlers. He believes the fierce competition between James-King and Clarke will drive both athletes to new heights. "It was an absolutely unbelievable finish from Malik James-King to run the time he ran but it is good to have two athletes to push each other. I wish I had that."
Prime Minister Mia Mottley says the inaugural Prime Minister’s Cup football tournament is the Barbados Government’s way of providing opportunities and creating a platform for the country’s players to not only develop their talent, but also to excel.
The new semi-professional tournament, which has a total investment of US$75,000 (BDS $150,000) is scheduled to kick off in August with 24 teams –10 from the Barbados Football Association Premier League, the top six from Division One, and the top four from Division 2 and Division three, based on 2023 standings –to take part.
With well over 600 players set to parade their skills, Mottley pointed out that it forms part of an objective to establish a more compact football structure.
“If we are serious about the clear determination that we must be global citizens with Bajan roots, then we have to build the platform in which that can happen,” Mottley said during the tournament’s launch at the Barbados Football Association (BFA) headquarters, on Wednesday.
“The reality is whether it is boys or girls playing football, this country needs greater structure and greater opportunities in football if we are to rise to the next level. Some will be able to go on and find lucrative contracts. Some will be able to work in the ecosystem of football. We have a duty therefore to start to lift our game up. If we want to have a developmental role it means that Government must now step in to play that role,” she added.
Mottley stressed that taking on a tournament of this nature when no private sector company would, is a no brainer for her administration, especially given the fact that young people are becoming more and more interested in football.
“There are not a lot of companies who would step up to the plate, and they are also looking at many other national activities from cultural activities right back through. So the bottom line is that one of the limitations of being small is that the state sometimes must take the lead in terms of entrepreneurship. When Barbados became an independent country, Errol Barrow understood that, and that is why the Hilton hotel was built at a time when no Barbadian private sector entity would have taken that scale of risk to build that scale of hotel in a country this size,” the Prime Minister reasoned.
“If we are to change our fortunes in Barbados, we need to be able to ensure that we have the administrative structure and the opportunities in tournaments such as this. I hope that at some point there will be a regional professional league,” she noted.
Another significant aspect of the tournament is the fact that all players will be expected to take part in self-confidence and self-esteem building, conflict resolution, and entrepreneurship workshops.
“The fundamental difference with this tournament must be a clear understanding of the profiles and the opportunities for every player, so that we work collectively between the public and the private sector to ensure that we put these persons on a sustainable path for a livelihood,” Mottley declared.
Meanwhile, Omari Eastmond, chairman of the organising committee echoed the prime minister’s sentiments.
“It is a way to tap into our talent on the island and give them purpose, allowing them to strive in structured settings giving them a chance to have a financial reward,” Eastmond said.
Interim Atlanta United head coach is hoping to see improvements from his side following their shock US Open cup exit ahead of returning to league action against CF Montreal this weekend.
The Five Stripes exited the competition at the quarter-final stage to USL side Indy Eleven, as Nick Firmino’s late strike proved only to be a consolation.
Atlanta come into the game off the back of consecutive defeats in the MLS, the latest of which came against Real Salt Lake at America First Field.
Just a point separates the two sides in the Eastern Conference table, with Atlanta sitting in 10th place, a point ahead of their opponents.
Valentino is hoping to see an improvement in the attacking areas from his players as they aim to return to winning ways in the MLS.
"When we have a team within their own box, we have to move very quickly and have some quality with it," said Valentino. "We’ve talked about different areas where we can attack, yeah sure, but from there we have to have a little bit more quality in how we execute in the final third"
"But even tonight, at the very end when we get an own goal at the very end, and I said to them just try to get one. If you can get one goal, it means you are still pushing and still trying to be in the game, and they did.
"They had two chances, and they ended up getting one. You have to keep going, no one is going to feel sorry for us, and I think that is sort of the message to me."
Montreal, meanwhile, snatched a late point in their last league fixture against Vancouver Whitecaps as Matias Coccaro struck late for the hosts.
Laurent Courtois’ side have endured an indifferent run of results of late, winning two of their last eight matches, four of which have ended in a draw.
Montreal sit 11th in the Eastern Conference standings, and know a victory will see them leapfrog their opponents while also bridging the gap between the sides at the bottom of the table.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
CF Montreal – Sunusi Ibrahim
Sunusi Ibrahim is Montreal’s top scorer this season with six goals from 21 league appearances and will be hopeful of ending his dry spell in front of his home supporters.
Ibrahim has failed to find the back of the net in his last four outings, having recorded six goal contributions (five goals, one assist) in seven appearances beforehand.
Atlanta United – Daniel Rios
Rios has been in fine form for Atlanta of late, and he will be keen to influence proceedings once again at the Stade Saputo.
The Mexican has been involved in six of the Five Stripes’ last nine MLS goals (four goals, two assists), recording at least one goal contribution in each of his last four MLS appearances.
MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW
Both sides come into the encounter searching for a much-needed victory in an attempt to get their respective seasons back on track.
Atlanta have won only three of its last 17 league matches (D6 L8), including losing the last two in a row. The Five Stripes have managed only two clean sheets in that time.
Montreal are enduring a similar run to their opponents in the MLS. They have won only two of their last 17 matches in all competitions (D8 L7). Montreal, however, are unbeaten in six games at home (W2 D4).
The Five Stripes do edge the head-to-head meetings, having won seven of their previous 13 all-time meetings (D3 L3), though they have struggled at the Stade Saputo. Only two of their victories have come in Montreal.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
CF Montreal – 39.7%
Draw – 26.6%
Atlanta United – 33.7%
D.C. United head coach Troy Lesesne insisted his players must be "ready to fight" to halt their winless streak ahead of their meeting with Nashville SC this weekend.
The Black-and-Red were beaten 5-0 by Orlando City last time out, extending their losing run to 11 MLS matches, which leaves them rooted to the bottom of the Eastern Conference table.
D.C.’s last triumph came back in May against Atlanta United courtesy of Christian Benteke’s hat-trick.
Lesesne said his players will regroup once again, going on to explain that no one will feel sorry for his side during their baron spell of results.
“We’re in a tough spot right now, there is no doubt about it,” Lesesne said. “I think the last eight matches, there’s got to be more from us to get us out of this spot and be able to get us into a winning position.
“We have a lot of work to do and there are many things that we have to address.
“Nashville are a team that are going to be another challenge and we have to, right now, regroup in a big way.
“We have to understand that no one is going to feel sorry for us and we have got to get ready to fight.”
Nashville also find themselves enduring a losing streak of their own.
The Coyotes are without a win in their last three MLS fixtures as they were comfortably beaten 4-1 by Portland Timbers in their most recent league encounter.
The Timbers found themselves four goals to the good in just 29 minutes at Providence Park, marking the fifth time that they had conceded four goals in a match this season.
Nashville’s defeat leaves them in eighth place in the Eastern Conference. In a battle between two of the division’s out of form sides, a win for either will be crucial to get their respective campaigns back on track.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
D.C. United – Christian Benteke
With D.C. experiencing a difficult spell, the goals and experience of Christian Benteke will be pivotal in achieving a long-awaited victory.
Benteke is the Black-and-Reds’ top scorer with 14 goals in 19 appearances this season, equalling his best tally for the club (14 goals in 2023) in 22 fewer outings.
Nashville are one of only eight teams the Belgian is yet to score against since his move to the MLS in 2022, and he will be keen to add to his tally this weekend.
Nashville SC – Sam Surridge
Sam Surridge scored Nashville’s only goal against Portland Timbers last time out, ending a run of two games without a goal following his brace against Toronto FC.
Surridge is the club’s top scorer this season with 10 goals in 20 appearances in all competitions, and without the attacking threat of Jacob Shaffelburg, he will be key in the attacking areas for Nashville.
MATCH PREDICITION: NASHVILLE WIN
Nashville come into the contest with D.C. United unbeaten in their previous six encounters (W4 D2). But they will be hopeful of ending their winless run at Audi Field, with both of those draws coming at the home of the Black-and-Red.
The Coyotes, however, are enduring a winless streak of their own. They have lost three consecutive league matches, allowing eight goals in those games. Nashville had lost only two of its previous 11 league games (W5 D4), conceding just seven total times in that span.
D.C. United’s winless run reached 11 matches (D3 L8) following their defeat at Orlando City on Saturday. This is the longest winless run in MLS this season and D.C.’s third-longest in a single regular season (12 and straight, both in 2013).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
D.C. United – 32.7%
Draw – 25.5%
Nashville SC – 41.8%
Jamaica’s hammer thrower Nayoka Clunis finds herself in a state of uncertainty as she faces a significant hurdle in her prospects to make a long-awaited Olympic Games appearance in Paris.
Despite achieving a National Record of 71.83 metres in May, which ranked in the top 32 in the world this year, Clunis’s dream of competing on the world’s biggest stage is now hanging in the balance due to a blunder from the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA).
The 28-year-old, who placed second and the JAAA National Senior Championships, initially believed she was on her way to the Olympics had her excitement turned to dismay when she learned that her name was omitted from the JAAA’s official list submitted to World Athletics.
“Following the Jamaican Olympic Trials, I was elated to receive notification of my official selection to Team Jamaica. Unfortunately, I have since found myself in a difficult position. Due to an omission made by the Jamaican Athletics Administration Association, my name was not officially submitted to World Athletics. As such, I do not have a position in the Olympic Games,” Clunis shared in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Still, as the clock ticks down to the July 26 to August 11 global multi-sport showpiece, Clunis remains hopeful that the JAAA will rectify the situation, allowing her to take her rightful place in Paris.
“I have been assured that all possible remedies are being explored and that there is hope that this issue may soon be resolved. I thank those who are fighting on my behalf for my rightful inclusion. I am a proud Jamaican. To wear our nation's colours at the Olympic Games will be the pinnacle of my athletic career,” Clunis declared.
While she awaits a resolution, Clunis’s plight underscores the importance of strong administrative leadership, as that oversight by the JAAA could very well rob an athlete that has shown remarkable dedication and prowess in her sport, the opportunity to achieve her dream on the global stage.
Last year, she became the first Jamaican, male or female, to compete in the Hammer Throw competition at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
“I pray for a swift and positive resolution, and until such time as one comes, will not have any further comment,” Clunis’s post ended.
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