Former West Indies wicketkeeper-batsman Junior Murray has released his long-awaited autobiography, "Windball to Windies," offering an intimate glimpse into the highs and lows of his cricket career and personal life. The Grenadian cricketer, who was a mainstay of the West Indies team in the 1990s, uses the book to reflect on his rise from humble beginnings to the international stage, providing readers with a candid account of the challenges and triumphs he faced along the way.
According to Caribbean sports writer, Michael Bascombe, in this 13-chapter memoir, Murray takes the reader on a journey from his early days playing windball cricket in Grenada to his elevation to the West Indies team. He gives detailed insights into the individuals who influenced his career, from school coaches to international mentors, painting a picture of the hard work and dedication that went into achieving his dreams. Among the highlights is his recollection of the unforgettable Adelaide Test match and the warm homecoming he received after the tour of Australia, a moment that Murray describes as a turning point in both his career and personal life.
"Windball to Windies" does not shy away from the difficult moments, either. Murray delves into the intricacies of team selection, his struggles with form, and his eventual departure from international cricket, offering a raw and unfiltered perspective on the pressures of representing the West Indies. He also discusses the founding of the Junior Murray Cricket Academy, revealing his passion for giving back to the sport by nurturing the next generation of cricketing talent in the Caribbean.
The book’s foreword is written by Mr. Victor Ashby, the former principal of Grenada Boys' Secondary School (GBSS) and a significant figure in Murray's development as a cricketer. Ashby's influence on Murray's decision to pursue cricket is a central theme in the autobiography, with Murray expressing his gratitude for Ashby's unwavering support during his formative years. "I thank you for your vivid recollection of my school days, the decisive moment when I chose cricket over football, and your leadership role in that process," Murray writes, underscoring the importance of mentorship in his journey.
The release of "Windball to Windies" coincides with Grenada's 50th Independence anniversary, adding a layer of significance to Murray's story. He reflects on how his cricketing journey mirrors the nation's broader narrative of resilience and progress. In a nod to the theme of Grenada's Golden Jubilee, "One People, One Journey, One Future," Murray acknowledges that his personal story is just one part of Grenada's rich tapestry of history and culture. "My cricket story is one of the many stories in the intriguing journey of our people," he states, highlighting how his experiences have been shaped by the island’s growth and spirit.
While the autobiography is currently available, Murray has announced plans for official book launches in Grenada and within the Caribbean diaspora. These events will offer an opportunity for fans and readers to connect with the former cricketer, who hopes to inspire and share his experiences with those who have followed his career. Through "Windball to Windies," Murray not only chronicles his own journey but also pays homage to the sport that has given him so much, cementing his legacy as both a player and a mentor.
Recalled Rahkeem Cornwall starred with a five-wicket haul as Barbados Royals crushed St Kitts & Nevis Patriots by nine wickets at Kensington Oval to book a spot in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) playoffs.
Enjoying the spin-friendly surface, Cornwall claimed 5-16 as the Patriots batting order lost 7-31 and were bowled out for 110 in the last over to fall well short of a competitive total.
In-form opener Quinton de Kock (59 not out off 38 balls) was unstoppable as the Royals mowed down the target in the 12th over.
The Royals (5-1) cemented their spot at the top of the CPL ladder, while the Patriots’ (1-7) bid for a playoffs berth is all but over.
After a delayed start due to a wet pitch, the Royals elected to bowl and it proved the right move. The Patriots struggled in the PowerPlay leading to a frustrated Evin Lewis, a centurion earlier in the tournament, holing out in the fourth over.
Skipper Andre Fletcher finally broke the shackles with a targeted assault on Jason Holder before a rush of blood saw him charge down the pitch at Cornwall’s first ball only to miss the shot and be stumped.
Cornwall was recalled after three straight ducks with the bat, but continued to make an immediate impact with the ball after luring Mikyle Louis into a false shot.
He couldn’t complete a hat-trick, but soon claimed his third wicket with the scalp of Wanindu Hasaranga as the Patriots crashed to 61-6 at the midpoint.
Cornwall wasn’t nearly done after dismissing Odean Smith then completing his five-wicket haul when Ryan John was brilliantly caught by Alick Athanaze in the deep.
The Patriots were in major danger of being dismissed for a total under 100, but Joshua da Silva and Anrich Nortje joined forces in a 39-run ninth partnership – the best of the innings – to avoid that ignominy.
But the Patriots were unable to take early wickets as de Kock and Kadeem Alleyne made it look easy with an opening stand of 57 in the powerplay. After smashing a ton against Guyana Amazon Warriors, de Kock continued his rich form with sublime shots around the wicket.
He capitalised after being given out lbw to Kyle Mayers in the fifth over only for the decision to be overturned on review. The Patriots finally ended the stand when Alleyne on 25 was hit on the pads by Hasaranga, who surprisingly had been held back until the sixth over.
But de Kock rolled past another half-century as the Royals emphatically booked a playoff berth.
Pablo Mastroeni believes the best way for his Real Salt Lake side to improve is by "going into the fire" as the playoff battle heats up ahead of Wednesday's clash with FC Dallas.
Real Salt Lake have been among the Western Conference pacesetters all season, but they have lost two of their three games since returning from the Leagues Cup break, including a 4-1 defeat to the Houston Dynamo on Saturday.
They remain fourth in the West but just three points separate them from Houston in seventh, while their cushion to the wild-card spots stands at seven points.
"There are things we're working out, and it's one thing doing it in practice and another doing it when there are so many variables on the line," Mastroeni said this week.
"The only way we build real cohesion is by just going into the fire, playing these games, then going back to review them.
"With time, you expect that the guys will get a really clear understanding. You can make changes on gameday, you can tweak, but also you have to affect games with mentality.
"It's about mindset. I would rather make errors of effort than errors of overthinking."
Dallas are currently one place, but five points, outside the playoff picture, with a tough stretch seeing them face Los Angeles FC and Orlando City after their visit to RSL.
Interim boss Peter Luccin, though, feels the identity of their opponents is not important, saying: "Right now, for us playing versus a team in the top five or the top 10 is the same thing... the only thing we have to do is win.
"If we want to fight for the playoffs, which is the least the club deserves, we have to do that. One thing is for sure, we will fight until the end."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Real Salt Lake – Cristian Arango
Arango has scored six goals in 407 minutes over five career regular-season matches against Dallas.
His rate of 1.33 goals per 90 minutes in those games is the highest of any player that has played at least 300 minutes against Dallas in MLS history.
FC Dallas – Jesus Ferreira
Ferreira has scored seven times in 10 regular-season meetings with Real Salt Lake, more than he's scored against any other opponent in his MLS career.
The Dallas forward has also scored in four of his five matches at America First Field, including the last three in a row.
MATCH PREDICTION – REAL SALT LAKE WIN
Dallas have won at Real Salt Lake in each of the last two seasons, their first consecutive wins at RSL in regular-season play. Only two teams have won on three straight regular-season trips to Utah (LAFC – four straight from 2020-23, Portland – three straight from 2014-15).
They are also unbeaten in three straight regular-season away matches (one win, two draws). Dallas had lost eight of their first 11 away from home (three draws) in 2024.
They face a daunting task on Wednesday, though, against a Real Salt Lake side with 10 home wins already this season, reaching that mark for the first time since 2019 (13 home wins).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Real Salt Lake – 52.4%
FC Dallas – 23.3%
Draw – 24.3%
Concacaf is set to expand the women’s national team competition calendar over the next four years as it strives for continued growth and development of the women’s game in the region.
In an effort to build on the successful delivery of the inaugural Women’s Gold Cup, as well as the recently added Women’s Club Competition, which is currently ongoing, Concacaf is set to introduce additional competitions, some of which will serve as qualifiers for major tournaments between 2025 and 2029.
Concacaf, in a release on Monday, revealed that the revamped women’s national team ecosystem will provide a consistent calendar of competitions for all Concacaf federations, providing their women’s national teams with regular opportunities to compete on the regional and global stage.
Tournaments will include a new qualifying tournament in 2025 that will serve as the preliminary round of the 2026 Concacaf Women’s Championship, which will serve as the qualification path to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympic Games. There will also be the introduction of an inaugural Concacaf Women’s Nations League in 2028 and a second edition of the Women’s Gold Cup.
Concacaf president and FIFA vice-president Victor Montagliani said the additional competitions augur well for women’s football in the region.
“These tournaments will provide a tremendous boost to women’s football in CONCACAF with a consistent calendar of competitions now in place for 2025 to 2029, which delivers all 41 of our federations with opportunities to grow and thrive on and off the pitch. We are now five years on from the launch of our CONCACAF W women’s football strategy, and much progress has been made,” Montagliani said.
“From establishing new competitions to celebrating six of our national teams qualifying for and competing at the last FIFA Women’s World Cup, and of course the delivery of countless coaching and development programs that have provided women and girls across our region with opportunities to engage with the sport.
“We know there remains much more work to do and we are committed to continuing to support our member federations to develop every level of women’s football in CONCACAF,” he added.
The new qualifying tournament will be played during the FIFA Women’s International Match Windows of October and November 2025 and February and April 2026.
Seattle Sounders will hope to make the most of their home advantage when they host San Jose Earthquakes, as Brian Schmetzer's side aim to further their MLS playoffs bid.
The Sounders are fifth in the Western Conference standings after their 2-0 victory over Sporting Kansas City last time out.
Schmetzer's men are nine points adrift of West leaders LA Galaxy heading into this clash at Lumen Field, where the Sounders hope to improve further in their post-season chase.
"[We have] to keep the momentum going, but one game at a time," said centre-back Jackson Ragen. "Keep winning, and then keep that going in the playoffs.
"This is the home stretch, and every game is huge, because it's going to come down to our position in the playoffs."
Midfielder Paul Rothrock echoed a similar sentiment, adding: "We have threats from a lot of different areas, and that's what's brought success this season.
"I think having a lot of weapons going into the postseason is going to be crucial and also having a locker room full of guys that are pushing together."
San Jose have endured a tough season to date, sitting bottom of the Sounders' division, but the visitors did defeat Seattle 3-2 in the reverse meeting this campaign.
They are the only team out of playoff contention already, owing to a woeful term, with Ian Russell's men only winning five games all season.
Russell will be desperate the tide turns on the road in Seattle on Thursday.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Seattle Sounders – Raul Ruidiaz
The Earthquakes must be wary of Raul Ruidiaz, given he has scored nine career regular-season goals against San Jose, having only managed more against the Timbers (10).
Only three players (Jeff Cunningham and Preki – 11, Paul Bravo – 10) have scored more goals against the Earthquakes in MLS history, with Ruidiaz dangerously close to reaching those heights here.
San Jose Earthquakes – Cristian Espinoza
Seattle may be quaking in their booths thinking of San Jose's Cristian Espinoza, who has been involved in eight goals (five goals, three assists) in five matches against the Sounders since the start of the 2022 season.
The only player to record more goal contributions against a single opponent in that time is Espinoza himself against Los Angeles FC (nine), and the Earthquakes star will fancy carrying that run on here.
MATCH PREDICTION – SEATTLE SOUNDERS WIN
The Sounders are the overriding favourites for this clash, given their strong recent head-to-head record and San Jose's drab form.
Seattle have won six of their last seven regular season home matches (L1), including the aforementioned win over SKC on Sunday.
The Sounders had managed just four wins in their previous 19 home league matches (D10 L5) dating back to May 2023, but have since turned a corner – and things may continue to improve here.
San Jose's defeat at Vancouver on Saturday was their 21st loss in 28 matches in the 2024 regular season. Another reverse would equal the second-most losses in a single season in the post-shootout era (since 2000) as only D.C. United (24 losses) in 2013 lost more than 22 times in a season.
Yet not all visiting hope is lost, considering San Jose have won three straight matches against Seattle for the second time (also in 2012—13). Overall, The Earthquakes are unbeaten in four straight visits to Seattle in all competitions (W2 D2).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Seattle Sounders win – 68.5%
Draw – 17.5%
San Jose Earthquakes win – 14%
Over 100 players turned out to display their talents at first weekend of the Shuttle Showdown Badminton Tournament 2024 which took place at the YMCA in Kingston on September 14th and 15th.
From thrilling matches in the Beginner’s Division, Division B, and Division D to the enthusiastic support from around 150 spectators daily, the tournament showcased exceptional badminton talent, sportsmanship and community spirit.
With over $150,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs, players truly gave their all on the court.
Tijae Hinds was the star of the weekend, taking the titles in Division B Men’s Singles, Men’s Doubles alongside Stephen Lue-Yen and Mixed Doubles alongside Breanna Bisnott.
The other winners were as follows:
Beginner’s Division- Selcon Zhang (Men’s Singles), Rolde Ann Broderick and Ashani Edwards (Mixed Doubles) and Davina Scott and Leonardo Wildman (Mixed Doubles).
Division D- Jhevado Ross (Men’s Singles), Dadrian Lewis (Women’s Singles), Marvin Lee and Rohan Brown (Men’s Doubles).
Patrons also enjoyed servings from The Burrito Shack, Zen Bowls and Bad Dawg Sausages, among many others to combat the heat of the day.
Jamaica Badminton Academy extends their gratitude to their sponsors including Chas. E. Ramson, Devon Biscuits, Lifespan Springwater, Premier Optical, Zalco Distributors, Shop Tech Goods, VP Racket Sports, Jamaica Sotheby's Realty Jamaica, ND Communications, Haven Beauty House, Dr. Mangue Chin and Television Jamaica for their coverage.
B.J. Callaghan is desperate for Nashville SC to build on his first win at the helm when they host the Chicago Fire in MLS on Wednesday.
Nashville lost nine of 10 games – going down in a penalty shoot-out after drawing the other – either side of Callaghan's appointment, but they finally turned the corner on Saturday.
Goals from Alexandre Muyl and Hany Mukhtar fired them to a 2-0 win over Atlanta United, and Callaghan sees Wednesday's clash with Chicago – who are level with
Nashville in the Eastern Conference standings – as an opportunity to build some momentum.
"We were pleased with the performance we had, we've talked about having consistent performances and stacking them up," Callaghan said.
"It's a quick turnaround, so everything we've been doing leading into Chicago has been about focusing on ourselves and making sure the guys recover.
"Then we'll just focus on the things we're good at, try to get better at those things, and we'll apply some of those ideas to the challenge that Chicago will bring.
"They're probably looking at us the same way as we're looking at them, as a game where they want to earn three points."
Chicago also halted a miserable run of six games without a win (one draw, five defats) by beating the New York Red Bulls 2-1 last time out, moving within four points of the wild-card places.
"It's about time! It feels great, because I think we faced some adversity," Klopas said.
"People faced adversity and stepped up, so huge credit to the team as a whole. It's important that we're still in this thing, now we have to go on the road and keep fighting."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Nashville SC – Hany Mukhtar
Mukhtar has scored two hat-tricks against the Fire in his MLS career, one of seven players to record multiple hat-tricks against a single opponent.
No player in MLS history has recorded three hat-tricks against a single opponent.
Chicago Fire – Georgios Koutsias
Koutsias has scored on each of his last two appearances. Two Fire players (Maren Haile-Selassie and Hugo Cuypers) have already scored in at least three straight games this year.
The only previous seasons in which three different Fire players had streaks of three or more games with a goal were 2018 and 1998.
MATCH PREDICTION – NASHVILLE SC
The Fire's 1-0 home win over Nashville on July 8 was their first win in the teams' head-to-head series, after Nashville had gone unbeaten through the first four encounters (two wins, two draws).
Nashville ended an eight-match losing streak in MLS action on Saturday, beating Atlanta United 2-0 to also end a run of allowing multiple goals in eight successive games.
They might be confident of repeating the trick, with Chicago only winning three of their last 21 road games in all competitions (six draws, 12 defeats).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Nashville SC – 46.3%
Chicago Fire – 27.1%
Draw – 26.6%
Chris Armas has hailed the Colorado Rapids' professionalism as they close in on a playoff spot, ahead of Wednesday's trip to Sporting Kansas City.
The Rapids sit third in the Western Conference amid a fine first campaign under Armas, and they boast an impressive seven-point cushion to those outside the automatic playoff places.
Goals from Jonathan Lewis and Rafael Navarro handed them a 2-1 win over the in-form Portland Timbers last time out, but Armas says there is no chance of his men losing focus after that result.
"It was a big step for our team," Armas said. "The mood in the locker room is one where it's like, 'it's just another day in the office'.
"There's no big celebration but they understand that was a big step for us, to get three points in a decisive game, to put some separation there.
"We have our eye on the prize, which is the playoffs. The mood is good, we've learned, we've grown and when the whistle blows, it's just three points closer."
Kansas City, meanwhile, look destined to miss out on the playoffs, sitting 12th and needing to make up an 11-point gap to the wild-card spots in just five games.
They were beaten 2-0 by the Seattle Sounders last time out, leading coach Peter Vermes to express frustration with their response to conceding first.
"I actually think we started the game really well, we were keeping them in their end, and we really didn't give them anything in our end," Vermes said.
"They got their goal off us being in a position to play forward but we played backwards. We were for sure the better team at the time, but when they scored, it put us back on our heels."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Sporting Kansas City – Daniel Salloi
Salloi has scored five goals in nine career matches against the Rapids. The only opponent he has scored more goals against is FC Dallas, netting eight against them.
Colorado Rapids – Djordje Mihailovic
Mihailovic assisted both Rapids goals in their win over Portland last Saturday.
He has 65 goal contributions since the start of the 2020 season (25 goals, 40 assists), and the only American international with more in that time is Jesus Ferreira (69).
MATCH PREDICTION – SPORTING KANSAS CITY WIN
The Rapids have won their last two matches against Kansas City, including a 2-1 home success on July 4. Colorado had won just two of the previous 13 matches between the sides (six draws, five losses) dating back to the start of the 2018 season.
Colorado's 3-2 victory at Dallas on their last road trip, on August 31, meanwhile, was their fifth away win this season. Only in 2021 (eight) and 2011 (six) have they won more on their travels in the post-shootout era.
However, this is a tough test for Armas' men, with Sporting winning six of their last eight home games across all competitions (one draw, one loss), their only defeat in that span coming against Toluca in the Leagues Cup.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Sporting Kansas City – 41.3%
Colorado Rapids – 32%
Draw – 26.7%
Duncan McGuire is glad to be back among the goals as Orlando City continue their playoff charge, with a home clash with Eastern Conference rivals Charlotte FC next on the agenda.
McGuire had gone over two months without a goal in MLS play since netting in June's 4-2 defeat to New York City, prior to Saturday's meeting with the New England Revolution.
But he was on target in a 3-0 win for Oscar Pareja's team, who now boast a four-point cushion to those outside the automatic playoff spots in the Eastern Conference standings.
Speaking after the game, the forward said: "It's always good to score. It has been a while since I've scored.
"It's been a bit annoying for my standards, so I'm definitely glad to be back on the scoresheet.
"But at the end of the day, if we're winning as a team, then that's all that matters. But yeah, I'm definitely glad to be back on the scoresheet and hopefully I can keep it going.
"We're very excited and it helps us with motivation and confidence going into the next one. We're excited to get the win and onto Wednesday."
Wednesday's game could prove pivotal in the battle to reach the postseason, with Charlotte just two places and two points behind the Lions in the standings.
The Crown were going well before the Leagues Cup break but have since suffered back-to-back losses versus Atlanta United and CF Montreal, leading coach Dean Smith to rally his troops.
"Before the break, we had three of the toughest games you can get, and we came through those away games unbeaten with five points and probably should have had more," he said.
"My consistent message is this is a new game; this is a new beginning.
"When you have six games left and build it like that, then they know their performance levels have to be to go and win that game."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Orlando City – Duncan McGuire
Since the beginning of last season, McGuire has recorded 27 goal contributions (21 goals, six assists) in the regular season for Orlando.
That is the second most by any American in that time, behind only Brian White (34).
Charlotte FC – Tim Ream
Ream scored his first goal for Charlotte from a header against Montreal last time out. It was Ream's second career MLS goal, with the other coming on September 11 2010, for the New York Red Bulls, a gap of 5,117 days.
MATCH PREDICTION – ORLANDO CITY WIN
Charlotte are unbeaten in four straight matches against Orlando City in all competitions (two wins, two draws) after the Lions won each of the first two meetings between the sides.
The Crown have also scored at least once in each of their last four away matches in league play, only being shut out three times on their travels this year. Only five MLS teams have been shut out fewer times on the road this season.
While they will carry a threat, Orlando have won their last two games by 3-0 scorelines, at home to Nashville SC and New England, the first time they have won back-to-back MLS matches by three or more goals. They go in as favourites.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Orlando City – 53.4%
Charlotte FC – 22.7%
Draw – 23.9%
Austin FC may have suffered a disappointing loss last time out, but Josh Wolff is aiming to bounce back against Los Angeles FC to give themselves a playoff chance.
The Black and Verde were beaten 2-1 by Toronto FC at the weekend after failing to find a late equaliser, condemning them to a second consecutive defeat.
Austin currently sit 11th in the Western Conference but are losing ground on the playoff spots as they are 10 points behind Houston Dynamo in seventh.
Wolff admitted that their task is now harder but is determined to make sure his team are still in the conversation come the end of the regular season.
"I think there's a points total that we have in mind," Wolff said, "but we need to work on things.
"We're going to be able to get chances, but the playoffs are still achievable. We have to pick up points and get to the last game with a chance of still getting in.
"We've got to take care of our chances in a better way, that's all."
Meanwhile, LAFC are winless in three MLS matches, giving up a 2-0 lead against rivals LA Galaxy last time out in a 4-2 defeat.
They still sit second in the table, but the teams below them have closed the gap.
Steve Cherundolo was quick to brush aside Saturday's defeat, with his sole focus now on picking up three points.
"We'll try to turn it around as fast as possible to get some points on Wednesday night," he said.
"We'll continue to go and hope fatigue doesn't play more of a part as players continue to get towards full fitness."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
LAFC – Denis Bouanga
Denis Bouanga has scored six career goals against Austin FC in all competitions, tied for the most of any player against them.
Austin FC – Alexander Ring
Austin failed to register a shot on target against Vancouver on August 31 but improved on that despite their loss to Toronto last time out.
While Owen Wolff got the goal at the weekend, Alexander Ring registered the most shots on target with two.
MATCH PREDICTION: LOS ANGELES FC WIN
Los Angeles have won seven of 10 all-time meetings with Austin (D1 L2), though the Verde and Black did manage to take a point when the sides met in league play in Austin on June 19. LAFC have won four of five home matches against Austin (L1), keeping clean sheets in all four wins.
However, LAFC suffered a 2-0 defeat to Houston Dynamo in their last home match. They have never lost two straight regular-season home matches and have failed to score in back-to-back home league matches only once, doing so against Atlanta United and Houston in June 2023.
Meanwhile, Austin have lost eight of their last 13 regular season matches (W3 D2) dating back to late May. Austin had lost only seven times in their previous 23 regular season matches dating back to September 2023 (W7 D9).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
LAFC – 66.3%
Draw – 18.4%
Austin FC – 15.3%
LA Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney has praised his attacking players' confidence and hopes they can build on it against Portland Timbers on Wednesday.
The Galaxy came from 2-0 down with a superb second-half comeback against rivals Los Angeles FC last time out, winning 4-2 to go seven points clear in the Western Conference.
They have lost just one of their last five MLS matches, but that did come in their last away match, a 2-1 defeat to St. Louis City.
However, Vanney insisted his team can find the balance they need at both ends of the field to get another win.
"This team is built to attack, especially if you look at the guys we have on the field," Vanney said.
"We have some high-quality attacking guys. Over the course of the year, we've grown a ton of confidence to score goals and finish chances, but it comes down to the balance of being able to do that and being able to defend by not giving up things."
They face a Portland team coming off the back of a disappointing 2-1 loss to Colorado Rapids at the weekend, leaving them eighth in the table.
The Timbers have won just one of their last four league outings, though that did come at home against Seattle Sounders.
Head coach Phil Neville was disappointed by the weekend's defeat but admitted it would be quickly put behind them.
"At this stage of the season, you can't dwell on [losses]," Neville said.
"We can be frustrated and disappointed, the players are as well, but the game plan was there [against Colorado], we didn't execute it.
"But now it's back to Providence Park on Wednesday which will be an amazing game in an amazing atmosphere."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Portland Timbers – Evander
Evander has recorded an assist in eight consecutive home matches, equalling the MLS record set by Eric Wynalda in 1996-97.
Evander's nine straight matches overall with a goal contribution equals the Timbers' club record set by Diego Valeri in 2017.
LA Galaxy – Riqui Puig
Riqui Puig starred for the Galaxy in the derby against LAFC, scoring once and getting two assists. He is the third player to reach double-figure goals for LA Galaxy in the 2024 regular season (10, behind Dejan Joveljic on 14 and Gabriel Pec on 11).
This is the fourth time the Galaxy have had three different players score 10 goals in a season (1998, 2014, 2018), tied for the most such seasons in MLS history (San Jose Earthquakes).
MATCH PREDICTION: PORTLAND TIMBERS WIN
Portland are unbeaten in 11 straight home matches in all competitions, winning nine of them (D2). This is the Timbers' longest home unbeaten run across all competitions since a 12-match stretch from April to July 2018.
However, the Galaxy are unbeaten in seven straight regular-season matches against Portland (W4 D3), including a 3-2 home win on July 20. The only longer unbeaten run against the Timbers in regular season play was an eight-match streak by Real Salt Lake from 2011-14.
The Galaxy have already won at Vancouver and drawn at Seattle this season. LA has avoided defeat in away matches against all three Cascadia clubs in a single season twice before, doing so in 2014 and 2016, but they are not the favourites to win here.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Portland Timbers – 45.2%
Draw – 26.9%
LA Galaxy – 28%
England international Chris Jordan will join the Trinbago Knight Riders for the remainder of the 2024 season.
The experienced all-rounder will replace USA international Ali Khan who was forced to withdraw from the tournament due to injury.
Jordan previously represented the Knight Riders in the 2019 edition of the CPL, taking seven wickets in five matches.
The Guyana Amazon Warriors have signed leg spinner Nathan Sowter as a temporary replacement for Imran Tahir who is currently recovering from injury and is expected to be unavailable for around 10 days.
Having shaken the first game jitters with a hard-fought 1-0 win over promoted Racing United, Waterhouse's Head coach, Marcel Gayle, is expecting his team to improve significantly throughout the Wray and Nephew Jamaica Premier League (JPL) season.
In fact, Gayle pointed out that consistently securing clean sheets is high on the agenda for their title run this season as they are benchmarking their performance against last season’s campaign, where they lost to Mount Pleasant in the semi-finals.
Though they dominated proceedings for the most parts, Waterhouse did not have things their own way, as they survived a late surge from their St Catherine opponents to secure the win courtesy of Atapharoy Bygrave’s all-important 52nd-minute strike at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex on Monday.
In all honesty, Waterhouse should have won by a wider margin, but they failed to please where it mattered most—in the final third—as Bygrave squandered a number of chances, though Caryle Holmes came up big in goal for Racing United on a few of those occasions.
Still, Gayle took heart from his team’s performance, which he views as a solid platform to build on for the season, which will be contested over three rounds, back up from two rounds last season.
“We deserved to win the game; hats off to Racing United’s goalkeeper for keeping the scoreline to what it was, but nevertheless, I thought we played well. We bossed the game; we gave up a little in the middle of the park, but it’s a work in progress... it’s the first game, so now that the cobwebs are out the way, we know what we are about and will build from here,” Gayle said in a post-game interview.
“So it’s a positive start; it’s the first game, and we wanted everything to go right, which it didn't, but we see some areas that we can improve in and areas that we have improved on so far. As you can see, we got a clean sheet, and that is benchmark for us this season,” he added.
Waterhouse's Kemar Foster saves Rodave Murray's penalty.
Racing United started brightly with Rodave Murray firing the first warning shot, which interestingly was the only shot they got off in the first half.
This, as Waterhouse quickly found their rhythm and asserted their authority on the contest with fluent ball movements and some tidy build-ups—in patches—that unlocked Racing United’s defence on a number of occasions. However, the finishing touch eluded them.
Bygrave was at the centre of most of those chances, the best two of the lot coming in the latter stages of the first half. In the 40th, Bygrave applied a decent first touch from Leonardo Jibbison’s cross, but his effort was equally well-saved by Holmes.
The former Dunbeholden and Mount Pleasant striker was again in shooting range from Denardo Thomas’ pass in the 45+5, but his right-footer was again kept out by Holmes diving full stretch to his right to keep the score goalless at the break.
However, Waterhouse maintained the momentum on the resumption and inevitably broke the deadlock seven minutes in when Andre Smith's attempt was deflected into Bygrave's path and the striker made no mistake from close range on that occasion.
Racing United should have had their first top-flight goal in the 66th when Ranaldo Biggs played a delightful ball inside for Giovanni Cunningham, who was felled by Waterhouse's custodian Kemar Foster. However, Murray's tame effort was kept out by the custodian, who redeemed himself.
That was the start of a decent passage of play for Racing United, who found another opening in the 77th courtesy of Javaughn Cole, who couldn't keep his effort down.
In the 86th, substitute Diamond Clarke's freekick driven along the ground was kept out by Foster, who got down well to his left.
Two minutes later, Mikyle Williams drove a stinging right-footer that caught Foster going the wrong way, but the effort came back off the left upright.
Racing continued to probe for a share of the spoils, which they should have had, had Deandre Johnson kept his right-footed effort at close range down, with literally the final kick of the game.
Though disappointed with the outcome, Racing’s assistant coach Paul Walker took heart from his team’s display.
“I think we played well, but I think if we had approached the game better in the first half, we could have had a better result. So I am disappointed with the loss because we also need to put away our chances when we get them but we just have to go back to drawing board and hope for the best next game,” Walker noted.
Matchweek one results
Vere Phoenix United 1, Montego Bay United 4
Portmore United 0, Mount Pleasant 2
Arnett Gardens 3, Dunbeholden 0
Harbour View 1, Chapelton Maroons 2
Waterhouse 1, Racing United 0
Humble Lion vs Cavalier (postponed)
Tivoli Gardens vs Molynes United (postponed)
Vanni Sartini has backed Vancouver Whitecaps to finish high up the table at the end of the season and is targeting a win over high-flying Houston Dynamo.
The Whitecaps currently sit sixth in the Western Conference on 45 points, but only three points separate them and second-place Los Angeles FC.
They are on a three-match unbeaten streak in MLS, though their last defeat in the competition did come against Wednesday's opponents.
Sartini believes his team can continue to challenge for a place at the top given their impressive record this season.
"I think I count two games out of 36 where the other team was better than us and where we didn't play well, and it tells us that we do well," Sartini said.
"We are having a really great season. The times of hiding ourselves is over. We need to really say we are here until the end and try to shoot for the highest position.
"We might not make it, but we have the quality to do it."
Meanwhile, the Dynamo sit just one place and one point below Vancouver in the table.
Houston have lost just one of their last seven league matches and go into this game on the back of an impressive 4-1 win over Real Salt Lake. Head coach Ben Olsen is ready to use that result as a springboard.
"It's time to turn it on. This is where we're at in the season," he said.
"It's collectively showing up and playing our best. A lot of these teams that we're going to play are above us. It means they're good, but hopefully, that lights a fire in us that we want to move forward and move up."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Houston Dynamo – Ezequiel Ponce
The Dynamo have scored 14 goals in the final 15 minutes of matches this season, including Ezequiel Ponce's goal on Saturday.
Only Colorado Rapids (15) have more goals after the 75th minute in 2024.
Vancouver Whitecaps – Fafa Picault
Fafa Picault has scored six goals against the Dynamo, more than against any other opponent in his MLS career, including scoring braces in each of his last two matches against Houston.
The last player to score multiple goals in three straight matches against a single opponent was David Villa vs. Toronto in 2015-16.
MATCH PREDICTION: HOUSTON DYNAMO WIN
The Dynamo have won back-to-back matches over the Whitecaps, scoring four goals in each win. This is the first time Houston has recorded consecutive wins over Vancouver (24 all-time meetings).
Indeed, the Dynamo have won six of their last 10 regular season matches (D2 L2), including a 4-1 win over Real Salt Lake on Saturday, after they had recorded just three wins in their previous 13 league matches (D5 L5).
Meanwhile, Vancouver are unbeaten in six straight away matches in all competitions (W4 D2), equalling the club's longest road unbeaten run in all competitions since joining MLS in 2011 (W1 D5 in July-August 2021).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Houston Dynamo – 50.7%
Draw – 25%
Vancouver Whitecaps – 24.3%
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