Phil Neville has urged the Portland Timbers to remain grounded as they look to continue their upturn against the Western Conference's outstanding team in the LA Galaxy.
The Timbers are seventh in the standings, occupying a playoff place, after recording an excellent 3-0 win over high-flying Real Salt Lake last Saturday.
That was their fifth win in their last six matches, the only blot on their record during that span being a 3-2 loss at FC Dallas.
With the Galaxy leading the way in the West, two points clear of Los Angeles FC and Real Salt Lake and 10 ahead of Portland, Neville knows Saturday's match will be a real test.
"We've come off a really good weekend and we gave the players a couple of days off just to regroup," Neville said this week. "This is the last push of this little section of the season.
"We've got to keep our feet on the ground, I think that's really important, because there's a lot of football still to be played.
"We are a team that has grown in confidence and got momentum but we can still improve, and this is a big test against one of the best teams in the conference."
The Galaxy, who beat the Colorado Rapids 3-2 in their last match on Wednesday, could be set to receive a major boost with former Borussia Dortmund captain Marco Reus in talks regarding a move.
While the deal is not yet done, head coach Greg Vanney knows what the German would bring to California.
"Anyone that we hopefully add in the summer window is somebody who can continue to make the team better," Vanney said shortly before the MLS Secondary Transfer Window opened.
"A player of his profile gives you experience, gives you quality, it gives you versatility, also a winning mentality, a championship mentality.
"Those types of things are always good for teams."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
LA Galaxy – Gabriel Pec
Pec has contributed to a goal in 10 straight home matches (eight goals, eight assists), equalling Robbie Keane's club-record mark set between 2012 and 2013.
He is the first player in team history to record a goal contribution in 10 straight home matches within a single season.
Portland Timbers – Evander
Evander recorded a goal and an assist in Portland's win over Real Salt Lake last week, his fifth straight match with a goal contribution.
Only Diego Valeri (nine straight in 2017) has had a longer run of consecutive games with a goal contribution in the Timbers' MLS history.
MATCH PREDICTION: LA GALAXY WIN
The Galaxy are unbeaten in six straight meetings with the Timbers (three wins, three draws) though the last three meetings have all ended level.
This is the longest unbeaten run by either team against the other in all competitions since Portland joined MLS in 2011 (36 meetings).
With the Galaxy winning eight of their last 11 matches, the first time they have managed that many victories in an 11-game span since 2015, they are favourites to edge what should be an entertaining contest.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
LA Galaxy – 48.7%
Portland Timbers – 25.6%
Draw – 25.7%
Colorado Rapids boss Chris Armas hopes recovering players and resetting the team's focus will help them come through Saturday's Rocky Mountain Cup clash with Real Salt Lake.
Colorado saw their three-game unbeaten run halted as they lost 3-2 to the LA Galaxy in midweek, just falling short of a comeback after going 2-0 and 3-1 down.
The Rapids sit fifth in the Western Conference standings, two places and six points adrift of Real Salt Lake, albeit having played one additional game, ahead of Saturday's matchup.
With Omir Fernandez and Calvin Harris missing due to knocks, Colorado were depleted last time out, but Armas is hoping for a clean bill of health this weekend.
"I don't harp on too much about what we don't have, but we'll get back and we'll recover, reload and then throw everything at Salt Lake on the weekend," Armas said.
"We'll have some guys getting healthy, Omir [Fernandez] is back, so we'll be ready to go. It's good to see Johnny [Lewis] have a strong performance.
"We'll have enough to cause Salt Lake some problems."
"Every player knows this is going to be a big game for us, for the club and for the fans," forward Cole Bassett added.
"I don't think this is one you have to motivate us for. We know the importance."
Real Salt Lake, meanwhile, stayed within two points of Western leaders Los Angeles FC as the teams played out a 1-1 draw in midweek, Brayan Vera equalising after Pablo Mastroeni's team fell behind early on.
"We knew if we could have taken all three points it would have been a dream performance, but that result and a fantastic performance is in line with the team we are and the mindset we must have," Mastroeni told KSL Sports.
"It's not going to be an easy game", he added of this weekend's derby. "I just want to see this type of resilient, committed performance.
"Every team in this league is a super difficult opponent. There's just no easy game".
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Colorado Rapids – Cole Bassett
Bassett scored his eighth goal of the season on Wednesday, extending his career-high tally in 2024.
He also has a career-best 12 goal contributions this season as his four assists are tied for the second-most in a single year in his career (five in 2020).
Real Salt Lake – Brayan Vera
Vera scored the fourth goal of his MLS career in Real Salt Lake's draw with LAFC, all of which have been from outside the box.
Since Opta began detailed data collection of MLS in 2010, Vera and David Beckham (11) are the only players with at least four goals with 100% of them coming from outside the box.
MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW
Real Salt Lake beat Colorado 5-3 in the last Rocky Mountain Cup matchup on May 18, recording their 20th regular-season win over the Rapids since the start of 2014, three more than any other team has managed against a single opponent in that span.
Colorado are, however, unbeaten in seven regular-season home games (five wins, two draws), earning six points more at Dicks Sporting Goods Park this year (23) than they did throughout the entire 2023 season (17).
Real Salt Lake have only lost one of their last 12 MLS road games, though seven of those have finished level, making the draw a real likelihood here.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Colorado Rapids – 35.4%
Real Salt Lake – 38.5%
Draw – 26%
Jim Curtin hailed Cavan Sullivan after he became the youngest player in MLS history this week, with more minutes potentially on the horizon when the Philadelphia Union face Nashville SC.
Sullivan replaced Tai Baribo, who scored a hat-trick, for the final five minutes as the Union ended a near-four-month wait for a home win by thrashing the New England Revolution 5-1.
At just 14 years of age, Sullivan has surpassed Freddy Adu as the youngest ever MLS player, also becoming the youngest debutant among the top North American professional sports leagues and the big five European leagues, UEFA Champions League and Europa League, dating back to 1988.
"It was a special, special night," Union head coach Curtin said afterwards. "The place had a buzz. This is just the first chapter in Cavan's career.
"For those that don't know, we do have a plan for him. It's not just minute by minute or day by day; there is a plan in place.
"You guys don't get to see him every day in training, but the staff does, and the time was right to give him an opportunity.
"The reality is, guys, he's not a normal kid. We've known that from the start. Because he's different, he has a different plan and a different trajectory to other players in our group."
Sullivan's second senior outing could come against a Nashville team sitting 10th in the Eastern Conference, two points above Philadelphia, but looking over their shoulders after five straight defeats.
The latest of those losses – a comprehensive 3-0 reverse against Orlando City – led forward Jacob Shaffelburg to demand better.
"We haven't been playing well for the fans" Shaffelburg said.
"They should know that we're trying our hardest, we're working hard, but they do deserve better. We got to give them better."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Philadelphia Union – Tai Baribo
On Wednesday, Baribo became the first Israeli player in MLS history to score a hat-trick.
Israel is the 50th different nation to produce a player that scored at least three goals in an MLS match.
Nashville SC – Hany Mukhtar
Nashville attempted eight shots in their defeat to Orlando on Wednesday, the 12th time this season they have been held to fewer than 10 shots in an MLS match.
Mukhtar (41) has created more than twice as many chances as his next closest team-mate this year, with Sam Surridge teeing up 17 attempts. His creativity could be key.
MATCH PREDICTION: PHILADELPHIA UNION WIN
Nashville have lost five straight matches for the first time in club history with three of those defeats coming on the road.
They have managed only two wins in their last 12 away from home across all competitions (three draws, seven defeats), so approach this one as clear outsiders.
The Union, meanwhile, are unbeaten in their last six meetings with Nashville, winning three and drawing three, including a 2-1 road victory in early April.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Philadelphia Union – 45.1%
Nashville SC – 28%
Draw – 26.9%
Caleb Porter says the New England Revolution need a result "by any means possible" as they prepare to face FC Dallas in their last MLS game before the Leagues Cup break.
The Revs have lost three straight matches and four of their last five, their latest defeat coming by a 5-1 scoreline versus the Philadelphia Union in midweek.
They are bottom of the Eastern Conference, already 11 points adrift of a guaranteed playoff place and five off the play-in spots, yet Porter remains positive.
"We have to be better. I still feel very good about our chances but certainly, a win on Saturday would go a long way to setting us up ahead of the Leagues Cup and the run-in," Porter said.
"I still feel very good about our chances, we've got games in hand. We should be healthier in those games.
"What I'm looking for is a result by any means possible."
Dallas, meanwhile, sit 11th in the West but are looking up after a difficult start, making it three wins from their last four matches in midweek.
After their 3-1 derby win over Austin FC, interim head coach Peter Luccin said courageous play will be key if they are to continue moving forward.
"This is FC Dallas' style, we want to play from the back. I like the ball, I think the team likes the ball, but to play from the back, we need courage to show in the right moments," he said.
"This is a thing that we'll have to improve because in the very specific and important moments, we didn't show for the ball.
"But we are working on that and it's going to take time. Right now what we can see and I think what everybody can see is that the team is ready to compete. The team is competing every single game."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
New England Revolution – Xavier Arreaga
The Revs' 5-1 defeat at Philadelphia on Wednesday was the third time they have conceded five or more goals in all competitions this season after not doing so once from 2020 to 2023.
Centre-back Arreaga will be key if they are to atone for that showing here.
FC Dallas – Petar Musa
Musa has scored in four straight MLS matches, the longest streak by a Dallas player since Paul Arriola did so in five straight in May 2022.
Musa and Arriola are the only Dallas players to score in at least four straight league matches over the last six seasons.
MATCH PREDICTION: NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION WIN
After winning five of six matches from early June to early July, New England have lost three league games in a row. This is the Revs' fourth losing streak of three or more games this regular season.
However, they did beat Dallas in the teams' last head-to-head meeting in March 2022, having failed to win any of their previous 10 against them (one draw, nine losses) since 2012.
Dallas' recent victories, however, have all come at home, failing to win any of their last 13 road games since last October (three draws, 10 losses). Perhaps this game represents an opportunity for slumping New England.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
New England Revolution – 41.5%
FC Dallas – 31.8%
Draw – 26.7%
John Herdman has pledged to work on Toronto FC's shortcomings ahead of Saturday's derby versus CF Montreal, which he has described as a "six-pointer".
Toronto ended a miserable 10-game winless run by beating the Philadelphia Union 2-1 last weekend but were then brought crashing back to earth in midweek.
An Inter Miami team without Lionel Messi or Sergio Busquets, and with Luis Suarez limited to a substitute role, beat the Reds 3-1 to leave them eighth in the Eastern Conference.
Speaking ahead of Saturday's trip to Quebec, Herdman said getting on the right side of the fine margins must be their focus, saying: "We'll fix some things.
"We'll fix our set-pieces and move forward. We've got to look, mentally, at how we stay stronger, collectively, tactically how we adjust to manage these tougher periods.
"We will own this together and next task is on to Montreal. We've got two days to get ready for Montreal. Massive game. Six-pointer. We'll get after it.
Winger Derrick Etienne Jr., meanwhile, thinks the match comes at an ideal time.
"It comes at the right time," he said. "We want to get back to winning ways and I don't think there is any better way than getting a win in the derby."
Montreal are level on points with Toronto but are on the rise after a 1-0 win over Atlanta United and Wednesday's 2-2 draw with the New York Red Bulls, coming from behind twice in the latter game.
Mathieu Choiniere put through his own net in midweek but has impressed this season amid speculation he could leave the club, and boss Laurent Courtois has moved to highlight his contribution.
"He wants to give everything for his club, and I need Mathieu, not only for his versatility but also for the mentality and identity we want to have here," Courtois said.
"Now the player wants to get something to feel more valued, and at the end of the day we're all the same right? You just want to be valued for what you give, and he gives a lot."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
CF Montreal – Josef Martinez
Martinez scored both of Montreal's goals off the bench on Wednesday, his 22nd multi-goal MLS match and his second as a substitute.
The striker's 22 multi-goal games are tied for third most in league history.
Toronto FC – Federico Bernardeschi
Bernardeschi has scored six goals in five matches against Montreal, including a hat-trick in the rivals' last meeting.
Only Brian White (seven versus St. Louis City) has scored more goals against a single opponent in MLS since Bernardeschi joined the league in July 2022.
MATCH PREDICTION – CF MONTREAL WIN
Montreal have won five straight home matches against Toronto, the longest home winning streak by either team against the other in the history of the series (54 matches).
They twice came from behind against the Red Bulls on Wednesday and have now lost just two of their last 11 matches (three wins, six draws). With home advantage on their side, they will be favourites.
Indeed, Toronto are winless in their last eight away games (two draws, six losses), including losing their last five road matches in a row.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
CF Montreal – 56.1%
Toronto FC – 21.2%
Draw – 22.7%
Commonwealth Games champion and World Championships finalist Lamara Distin has taken a significant step in her career by signing a professional deal with German sporting goods giant Puma.
Distin, who will represent Jamaica at the Paris Olympics next month, announced the exciting news on Thursday via social media.
"Excited to announce that I’m stepping into the next chapter of my career with @pumarunning,” she posted in her Instagram account.
“Huge shoutout to my amazing management group @fortetrackandfield for their unwavering support and guidance. Excited for the future and opportunities ahead."
Distin's impressive track record includes being a three-time NCAA champion while at Texas A&M University. She is currently ranked third in the world after setting a new Jamaican national indoor record with a jump of 2.00m earlier this season, making her the first Jamaican woman to clear that height. Distin also boasts an outdoor best of 1.97m.
Inter Miami will again be without injured superstar Lionel Messi as they look to continue on their course for the Supporters' Shield on Saturday.
Miami will host Chicago Fire with Messi absent, just as he was for the midweek home win over Toronto FC.
"Leo will continue to be evaluated by our medical staff week to week," coach Tata Martino said.
"We will see how he recuperates without taking any type of risk."
Messi suffered an ankle injury while on Copa America duty with Argentina, winning that competition but appearing to hamper Inter's title hopes in the process.
But Martino's men are still well placed to achieve their goals, starting with the regular-season championship.
With victory over Toronto, in which Federico Redondo took centre stage with two goals, Miami became the first team to reach 50 points this season.
They have achieved that feat within 24 games, joining esteemed company. The only six teams to previously tally 50 points inside 24 games have gone on to win the Supporters' Shield.
Next opponents Chicago at least head into this encounter off the back of a win of their own, beating FC Cincinnati on the road on Wednesday.
"When you come on the road and get a result like this, it's a great team effort," said Fire coach Frank Klopas.
"Certain guys are playing really well at the moment, but I still feel that everyone can give more. There's a lot more potential in there with the group.
"That's why this game on Saturday is so massive for us."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Inter Miami – Federico Redondo
Miami may be missing Messi, but the supporting cast has consistently stepped up this season. They have had four different players score two or more goals in a match, tied for the most in MLS.
The latest of those was Redondo, scoring his first goals in MLS against Toronto. With an assist in that game, too, he will hope that is the start of a strong run of game.
Chicago Fire – Brian Gutierrez
The Fire have had just three goals from substitutes in 2024, yet two of those have been among their past three goals. The latest, their winner against Cincy, saw Gutierrez emerge from the bench to score.
The midfielder will not want that to develop into a consistent theme, however, surely preferring to play from the start. He had done so in each prior game going back to April.
MATCH PREDICTION: INTER MIAMI WIN
Chicago have actually won four of their six games against Miami, including the past three in a row.
But New York City FC are the only team to further extend such a streak against Miami, and their run of five straight victories ended back in 2022. Miami are a very different prospect in 2024.
Their stretch of scoring in 10 consecutive MLS matches is a club record, with their tally of 19 goals across those games showing the task that lies before Chicago – with or without Messi.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Inter Miami – 64.2%
Chicago Fire – 16.7%
Draw – 19.1%
Attorneys for Jamaica’s hammer thrower Nayoka Clunis have followed through on their promise, and have filed an urgent appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s (CAS) Ad Hoc Division to seek a resolution regarding the athlete’s Olympic Games omission.
As a result of the application, the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) has once again been given a deadline to respond.
In accordance with Article 15 lit b. of the CAS Ad Hoc rules, the JAAA, as the Respondent, has until Friday, July 19, at 6:00pm Paris time (11:00am Jamaica time) to file a reply to Clunis’ application.
World Athletics, Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) and the International Olympic Committee were also listed as “Interested Parties” in the issue.
“Within the same timeline, the interested Parties are entitled to file a written submission if they wish to do so. Upon receipt of the written submissions of the Respondent and interested Parties, the panel will decide shortly after whether to hold a hearing,” the CAS Ad Hoc rules stated.
It is unclear what the outcome would be if the JAAA or the Interested Parties fail to respond.
Prior to filing the application, Clunis’ representatives, Sayeed Bernard and Emir Crowne, wrote to the JAAA and the JOA on Wednesday seeking an update about Clunis’ Olympic team status by 5:00pm, but their deadline was not met.
The issue stems from the fact that Clunis, who achieved a National Record of 71.83 metres in May, to be ranked in the top 32 in the world this year, was initially named to the JAAA’s athletics team for the Paris Olympics.
However, the 28-year-old’s dream of competing on the world’s biggest stage is now hanging in the balance due to a blunder from the JAAA, as her name was later 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.
CAS’s Ad Hoc Division deals with the arbitration of disputes that arise regarding major sporting events and usually decides within 48 hours.
The Seattle Sounders will be "flying" if they can beat Los Angeles FC on Saturday.
That was the message from coach Brian Schmetzer, who is relishing a huge occasion at Lumen Field, where the Sounders have been outstanding.
Seattle are on a five-game winning run in MLS, with four of those matches coming at home. They have lost in Seattle only once this year, back in April.
After a slow start, there are now only five teams above them in the Western Conference, but one of those are LAFC.
It was a defeat in Los Angeles that set in motion the Sounders' five-game winless run to start the campaign, while their 2023 season ended with a defeat to LAFC at Lumen Field.
Seattle should not be short of motivation then, and Schmetzer is now shying away from the significance of this game.
"Saturday is such a big game against LAFC," Schmetzer said. "Everyone needs to come out and show up.
"This is a massive game for us. We've only lost twice in 18 games. That's pretty darn good if you ask me.
"We come out with a result on Saturday, and we're flying."
A win would close the gap between sixth-placed Seattle and second-placed LAFC to just four points, with this weekend's visitors wobbling in recent weeks against elite opposition.
The performance in the midweek draw with Real Salt Lake was merely "a little better" than in the prior humbling 5-1 defeat to the Columbus Crew, according to coach Steve Cherundolo.
"No, I was not happy with the performance [against RSL]," he said.
LAFC had won nine of their previous 10 ahead of the Columbus game.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Seattle Sounders – Albert Rusnak
Rusnak assisted Jon Bell's first Seattle goal in the midweek win over St Louis City, continuing his fine form. That was his sixth consecutive home match in which he had registered a goal contribution.
Obafemi Martins is the only Sounders player with a longer such streak in a single regular season, with a seven-game run in 2014.
Los Angeles FC – Mateusz Bogusz
Olivier Giroud officially became an LAFC player this week, but Bogusz has contributed handily while the team have waited for the World Cup winner to arrive.
Bogusz has contributed to goals in each of his past five away matches, the longest active streak in MLS. Only Carlos Vela has had goal contributions in more consecutive road games in the regular season for LAFC (six matches in 2018).
MATCH PREDICTION: LAFC WIN
Across MLS and the US Open Cup, the Sounders have won six games in a row, their longest winning run since a streak of the same length ended in MLS Cup glory in 2019.
But LAFC are the Sounders' bogey side right now. They have won three in a row against Seattle and are unbeaten in seven in this fixture.
The Rave Green have not beaten LAFC since May 2021, and Saturday's visitors will hope to provide another reality check.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Seattle Sounders – 32.1%
Los Angeles FC – 42.5%
Draw – 25.4%
Orlando City head coach Oscar Pareja praised his side’s “seriousness” of returning to winning ways ahead of welcoming New York City FC to Inter&Co Stadium this weekend.
The Lions recorded a fourth straight MLS triumph against Nashville SC last time out having won just one of their previous seven league encounters.
Orlando’s upturn in form has seen them bridge clear daylight between the sides below them and currently sit seventh in the Eastern Conference table, just five points behind New York Red Bulls.
Pareja is hoping to continue their upward trajectory on home soil this weekend, with his players’ maintaining their responsibilities highlighted as a key component to their recent success.
"We are really happy, indeed with the result, but most importantly with the seriousness of the team, the discipline, the responsibility that the boys have had on bouncing back from those difficult moments,” Pareja said.
“And not just bounce back, but just keeping the level and the feeling and the plays against a [Nashville] team that is very difficult. I thought we played a very serious game.
“I see that group just playing the way we are and keeping our responsibilities, but at the same time being productive for the group. Very complete game for us and we're happy and ready to move toward the next one.”
For NYCFC, they are now without a win in their last three league fixtures following their 2-2 draw with Atlanta United in midweek.
But the draw at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium did come with its positives. Daniel Rios and Saba Lobzhanidze had given the hosts a comfortable two-goal advantage heading into half-time.
However, Nick Cushing’s side showed their powers of recovery to score twice after the interval, with Talles Magno’s late penalty securing what could prove to be a very important point.
NYCFC are currently in fifth in the Eastern Conference table, and know a win is a must ahead of the Leagues Cup break next week.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Orlando City – Martin Ojeda
The Lions have been among the goals in their recent MLS fixtures, with Martin Ojeda key to their goal-scoring output.
Ojeda has registered four goal contributions in his last five league games (two goals, two assists), with one of those assists coming in the reverse fixture between the two sides back in June.
NYCFC – Talles Magno
Having suffered a knee injury in NYCFC’s opening game against Charlotte, Talles Magno had to bide his time for a return to first-team action, but he took that opportunity with both hands upon his return.
Magno scored a penalty in their draw with Atlanta and boasts an impressive record against this weekend’s opponents.
In his four games against Orlando, the Brazilian has scored two goals and provided two assists, losing just once against the Lions.
MATCH PREDICTION: ORLANDO CITY WIN
Orlando came into the contest with their confidence sky-high following their fourth consecutive league victory. Their last longer winning streak came between October – November 2023 when they won six on the bounce.
The Lions have scored 22 goals in their last eight league games, the most they have managed this season, as they continue to climb the Eastern Conference table.
NYCFC are enduring another period without a victory and have now gone three games without a win. However, they boast an impressive record over this weekend’s opponents and are unbeaten in their four meetings (W3, D1), with their last defeat coming in August 2022.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Orlando City – 46.5%
Draw – 26.5%
NYCFC – 27%
FC Cincinnati defender DeAndre Yedlin is hoping his team-mates can rediscover their competitive edge as they travel to the Red Bull Arena to face New York Red Bulls this weekend.
The Orange and Blue were forced to relinquish top spot in the Eastern Conference table as they fell to a 1-0 defeat against Chicago Fire courtesy of Brian Gutierrez’s second half winner.
Cincinnati are now two points behind Inter Miami, who overcame their 6-1 defeat to Pat Noonan’s side last week with a convincing triumph over Toronto FC in midweek.
With Columbus Crew breathing down their necks and going to within five points of them with two games in hand, Yedlin insisted that his squad must rally together to rekindle that winning formula.
"We expect to win every game. It doesn't matter who we have on the field," Yedlin said.
"Since I've been at this club, I've noticed that the foundation of the club is hard work, is competing, is effort and then the little things sprinkled on top of that − the stuff that 'Lucho' can do, pulling stuff out of the hat.
“For whatever reason, the last few games it feels like that's a little off. There's nobody from the outside that can fix that. It's on us. It's on us to look deep within the team and find that competitiveness again."
For the Red Bulls, they extended their unbeaten run in the MLS to seven matches with their draw against CF Montreal last time out.
Sandro Schwarz’s side have drawn six of those games, however, and find themselves losing touch to the sides above them in the division.
The Red Bulls are currently fourth in the Eastern Conference, 10 points behind this weekend’s opponents with the possibility of dropping out of the top four should they fail to find a win on home soil.
Schwarz bemoaned his side’s lack of clinical nature in the final third, admitting the draw with Montreal left a bad feeling among his squad heading into their next encounter.
"It was a good game," Schwarz said. "But at the end, it's 2-2, and it's two less than if we play like the first 60, 65 minutes.
“Then you want to win. Then you want to go home with three points and that's it. And today, it's a bad feeling for us."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
NYRB – Wikelman Carmona
Having registered just two goal contributions in his first 10 MLS games this season, Wikelman Carmona now has two goals and an assist in his last six league outings.
Carmona scored the Red Bulls’ opener against Montreal last time out, and has lost just one of his four previous encounters with Cincinnati (W2, D1).
FC Cincinnati – Yuya Kubo
In the absence of talisman Luciano Acosta, Yuya Kubo will take on the responsibility of providing an attacking threat for Cincinnati in the final third.
Kubo has scored nine goals in 22 appearances for Noonan’s side this season, scoring in the reverse fixture between the two sides. However, the 30-year-old has won just one of his previous eight meetings with the Red Bulls (D3, L4).
MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW
Cincinnati will be hopeful of returning to winning ways having lost back-to-back home games but have found comfort playing away from home.
Noonan’s side have won their last seven games away from the TQL Stadium, having taken just six points from their last five home fixtures.
The Red Bulls have won two of their last five encounters against Cincinnati (D1, L2), hoping to equal their last unbeaten streak which was eight matches between September – October 2021.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
NYRB – 38.6%
Draw – 26.5%
FC Cincinnati – 34.9%
Wilfried Nancy has insisted that his full focus remains with Columbus Crew amid links to the vacant United States managerial position ahead of their meeting with Atlanta United this weekend.
The Crew extended their unbeaten run to six matches in the MLS following their 1-1 draw with Charlotte FC in midweek as they aim to keep pace with the top two in the Eastern Conference.
Nancy’s side sit third in the standings, five points behind FC Cincinnati following their defeat to Chicago Fire last time out, with Inter Miami now at the summit of the table.
Despite their recent form, Nancy is hungry for more success with Columbus, going on to rubbish the rumours linking him with a move to the international stage following Gregg Berhalter’s dismissal last week.
"I don't talk about rumours, simple as that,” Nancy said.
“Like I said, I am limitless. I want to be limitless, so the idea is to push myself, to challenge myself, but at the moment I'm here. I'm happy here. We'll see in the future."
“I’m really happy because the task that we had was very difficult, knowing the context, knowing the situations.
"But my players found a way to be ourselves and to play the way we wanted to play and to play really good sequences, but also to be disgusting to play against."
Meanwhile, Atlanta halted their three-game pointless run in the league with a draw against New York City FC, despite squandering their two-goal advantage in the second half.
The Five Stripes sit in 12th place in the Eastern Conference table and are among a cluster of teams tightly packed at the wrong end of the division.
Interim head coach Rob Valentino is looking for a much-improved performance from his players, picking out his side’s individual errors that have cost them in recent weeks.
"We were under some pressure, and we tried to make adjustments at half-time about being better and just more brave," said Valentino.
"There were individual errors. So, it is about eliminating those moments."
"We were braver, more direct and playing in there. The goal came right away. The big thing is that we have to find out why we dropped off."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Atlanta United – Daniel Rios
While the Five Stripes may have forgotten how to win in the MLS, Daniel Rios has had no such trouble in finding the back of the net, scoring his third goal in his last four matches.
Rios’ strike against NYCFC was clocked at just 21 seconds, the fastest goal in Atlanta’s history, and they will be hoping for another quick start at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Columbus Crew – Cucho Hernandez
Cucho Hernandez continues to be the attacking spark for the Crew, with his strike against Charlotte FC his 13th of the season, scoring in each of his last three appearances.
Hernandez's goals saw him become the first player in the club's history to record 60 goal contributions over a three-year span, notching 38 goals and 22 assists in that time.
MATCH PREDICTION: COLUMBUS CREW WIN
Columbus come into the contest as the hot favourites following their impressive recent run, with their draw against Charlotte meaning they are undefeated in their last six games in the MLS. Their last longer unbeaten streak was from 13th November 2023 to 16th March 2024, a run of eight games.
Hernandez's strike for the Crew was also the 12th consecutive time they have found the back of the net, scoring 34 times during that run.
Atlanta have failed to win in their last two games against Columbus Crew, but their last triumph against them came back in November 2023, last losing at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium against the Crew in May 2022.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Atlanta United – 23.7%
Draw – 22.6%
Columbus Crew – 53.7%
Jamaica's Reggae Boyz have fallen six places in the latest FIFA global rankings, following a dismal performance in the 2024 Copa America. The recent rankings, released on Wednesday, also saw drops for other CONCACAF teams, with the USA and Mexico slipping down the order.
The Reggae Boyz, now ranked 59th globally after slipping six places, faced a string of defeats in the tournament, losing 1-0 to Mexico, 3-0 to Venezuela, and 3-1 to Mexico, finishing at the bottom of Group B. This poor showing prompted immediate repercussions, with Head Coach Heimir Hallgrímsson resigning post-tournament. Hallgrímsson has since accepted a new role as the head coach of the Republic of Ireland.
The Jamaica Football Federation are currently in an advanced stage of hiring a new head coach, who is expected to reverse the team's flagging fortunes.
Mexico, now ranked 17th, experienced a downturn as well, falling two places in the rankings after their struggles. They were defeated 1-0 by Venezuela and held to a goalless draw by Ecuador. The USA, previously the highest-ranked CONCACAF team, slipped five places to 16th. Their Copa America campaign started promisingly with a 2-0 victory over Bolivia, but subsequent losses to Panama (2-1) and Uruguay (1-0) saw them finish third in Group C, leading to the dismissal of Head Coach Gregg Berhalter.
In contrast, Canada saw a significant boost, climbing eight places to 40th after an impressive run that saw them finish fourth in the Copa America. Coached by Jesse Marsch, Canada's journey in the tournament included a second-place finish in Group A, with a win, a loss, and a draw. They advanced to the knockout stages and eliminated Venezuela 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation. Although they lost 2-0 to Argentina in the semi-finals and succumbed to Uruguay in the third-place playoff, their performance was enough to propel them up the rankings
Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) general secretary Dennis Chung welcomed the addition of two new sponsors to their coffers, which he says reaffirms the Michael Ricketts-led administration’s efforts to raise the profile of the country’s governing football body.
Though the contributions of five laptops and two tents from Smart Mobile Solutions (SMS) and Awnings, Windows, Doors, and Shower Enclosurers (AWDS) by Bernie Limited, may not seem like much, Chung pointed out that they should not be understated, as every bit of sponsorship is very much valued by the JFF.
In fact, he revealed that the laptops donated by SMS are said to be worth $800,000, while AWDS’ two tents, also boast significant value.
“A lot of times what we talk about is the large sponsorships that come in right, but we certainly at the JFF want to assure everyone that we treasure every single contribution that comes in here because, as I said, they say every mickle, make a muckle. People who don't organize a game don't understand how important, for example, a tent is. The tents are extremely important to ensure that we have proper security and coverage just in case the weather changes,” Chung said during a press conference on Wednesday.
“So we're very appreciative of this, Mr. [Mark Anthony] Bernard; it definitely will enhance our capabilities and ensure that we don't have to rent everything that we want, and that's what helps us from a cash flow perspective. Certainly, Mr. [Dane] Spencer and his team were really appreciative of this; it couldn't have come at a better time, a time that we were actually looking at how we could acquire some laptops, and definitely they've come in at the right time. So we really appreciate the support,” he added.
These sponsorships come on the heels of a recent $200 million deal between the JFF and Wray & Nephew, as well as another partnership with marketing company 876Stream.
For President Michael Ricketts, it represents a positive step in the right direction that the JFF is finding favour with both large and small corporate companies.
“One-one cocoa full basket, and we’re just very appreciative of small companies coming on and making significant contributions. We got five computers and we got tents, which are something we really do need, and if every small company could come on and make a small contribution, then it would touch the lives of some boy or girl in some disenfranchised community,” Ricketts noted.
SMS Managing Director Dane Spencer explained that their partnership with the JFF is one that he hopes will have a far-reaching impact.
“This collaboration where we are providing technology is actually very important because now we can showcase not just that we contribute and give back in this way, but naturally we're also trying to show that we can foster sustainable partnerships and something that will actually bring some value to the Jamaican populace.
“Because football, for us, is a little bit more than just a sport or a game. We know that it is something that actually helps with social development and the upliftment of our youth. So, the laptops that we're donating are equipped with the latest technology and essential tools for the JFF administration, and we think that they will help facilitate better communication for the federation and its day-to-day operations,” Spencer shared.
Meanwhile, AWDS Chief Executive Officer Mark Anthony Bernard expressed optimism that his partnership with the JFF will also blossom into something bigger in the near future.
“We at AWDS would like to thank the JFF family for this opportunity to be a part of contributing to the national football program. We donated two tents, which is just a small contribution, but it's a start in the right direction. Hopefully, in the future, we can build on that and eventually become a part of this growing JFF family, where we'll be more present and be able to offer more tangible donations,” Bernard declared.
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
