Jordi Alba says claiming the Supporters' Shield would be "a nice achievement" for Inter Miami, but his main goal is the MLS Cup.
A run of three straight draws has seen Miami's bid to wrap up the Supporters' Shield put on ice over recent weeks.
Miami face the Columbus Crew—the reigning MLS Cup champions—on Wednesday, knowing one more win would see them clinch the Shield.
It would also keep them on track to break the regular-season points record of 73, which was set by the New England Revolution in 2021. Miami must win all three of their remaining games before the playoffs in order to break that record.
But former Barcelona full-back Alba has one main goal in mind.
"We hope to win against a great team like Columbus, and we will go in with a winning mentality," Alba said.
"Winning the Supporters' Shield would be a nice achievement in the club's history, but in the end, what we want to win is the MLS Cup."
While his team have had a series of blips as of late, coach Gerardo Martino says Miami's accomplishments this season must not be underestimated, even if they have Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Alba among their ranks.
He said: "When a team like Inter has 65 points and has lost only four matches all season and you compare it with teams from previous seasons, we should recognise all the good things we have accomplished this season."
Midfielder Matias Rojas knows history beckons on Wednesday.
"It's a great opportunity for us," he said.
"We're taking it step by step. This team has built itself one step at a time. So, on Wednesday, we will go to win and achieve that goal."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Columbus Crew - Cucho Hernandez
Hernandez recorded a goal and an assist on Saturday to take his total to 28 goal contributions on the season (16 goals 12 assists).
Only Stern John (31 in 1998) and Kei Kamara (30 in 2015) have recorded more goal contributions for the Crew in a single regular season.
Inter Miami - Lionel Messi
Messi, who netted against Charlotte FC last time out, has not recorded a direct goal contribution in any of his last three away appearances for Miami, last directly contributing to a goal for the Herons away from Chase Stadium on April 27.
The Argentine great had contributed to at least one goal in 19 of his previous 21 road league matches dating back to 2022 and his time with Paris Saint-Germain (34 total).
MATCH PREDICTION: COLUMBUS WIN
This is certainly set to be a tough test for Miami, and Opta's predictive model actually backs the reigning MLS Cup champions Columbus.
The Crew have lost only two of their last 40 home matches in all competitions dating back to May 2023 (W27 D11). They have scored three or more goals in 16 of those 40 matches, including in their last home match, a 4-3 win over Orlando City on September 21.
Columbus have also won three of their four home matches against Inter Miami, including a 3-2 win in the Leagues Cup Round of 16 on August 13. Miami's lone triumph in Columbus was a 2-1 victory in April 2023.
Peculiarly, Miami have won only one of the last six matches in which Messi has appeared (D4 L1) including drawing the last three in a row. The last time Messi played four straight club matches without a win in a single season was in March-April 2013.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Columbus Crew - 52.8%
Inter Miami - 23.1%
Draw - 24.1%
The West Indies Women suffered a 35-run loss to defending champions Australia as they continued their preparation for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the UAE.
The 2016 champions won the toss and chose to field first in their second warm-up encounter at the Sevens Stadium in Dubai on Tuesday morning.
Annabel Sutherland led the way with a 28-ball 38 while Ash Gardner made a run-a-ball 31 as the Australians made 144-8 from their 20 overs.
Alana King provided a spark down the order with 21* while captain Alyssa Healy was the only other Australian batter to get into double figures with 20.
Aaliyah Alleyne took 2-24 from three overs for the Windies and was supported well by Afy Fletcher who grabbed 2-36 from her full quota of four overs.
The West Indies were then restricted to 109 all out off 17.5 overs in reply.
Hayley Matthews and Qiana Joseph made 42 and 36, respectively, to be the only West Indian batters to score more than 10.
The Caribbean side were in a good position at the halfway mark of the chase at 69-1 with Matthews and vice-captain Shemaine Campbelle at the crease.
They then lost their final nine wickets for just 50 runs as Alana King and Tayla Vlaeminck ripped through the batting.
King was the pick of the bowlers with 4-30 from her 3.5 overs of leg spin while Vlaeminck took 3-33 from her four overs of pace.
The West Indies lost their first warm-up game to India on Sunday.
They will look to bounce back from these losses when they open their group stage campaign against South Africa at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Troy Lesesne believes D.C. United's ruthlessness could be what gets them over the line as they battle for an MLS Cup playoff spot, ahead of Wednesday's huge clash with Nashville SC.
D.C. sit 12th in the Eastern Conference standings with three games to play, one point and one place above Nashville and just three adrift of the final wild-card spot.
After watching his team fight back to earn a 2-2 draw against the MLS Cup holders, the Columbus Crew, last time out, Lesesne said their spirit could take them far.
"This group does not stop, that's a value we have throughout the club at the moment," Lesense said.
"I think that value of being relentless, that mindset that we're always going to keep going, that's what is going to carry us down to the wire with these three matches that are left.
"It's human nature when things are difficult to go into survival mode, or to make excuses or blame others. As a manager, you have to combat that.
"I just give our players and staff a tremendous amount of credit for not succumbing to that."
Nashville, meanwhile, found form at the right time under new boss B.J. Callaghan, taking seven points from three games before going down 1-0 to the New England Revolution on Saturday.
Callaghan remained upbeat as he looked ahead to Wednesday's match, saying: "The approach of the week is the same as usual.
"It's a good opportunity for us, we have plenty of positives that we can build on.
"D.C. have a really clear style of play, a clear way of doing things, and they're a team where we're going to have to be really sharp to get the result we want."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Nashville SC – Sam Surridge
Surridge leads all Nashville players for goals in MLS this term, netting 11 times in the competition – five more than his closest team-mate Hany Mukhtar (six). He has also scored three goals in their last two home games.
D.C. United – Christian Benteke
Benteke's two goals on Saturday took him to 21 for the season, the second-most by a D.C. United player in a single MLS campaign (after Raul Diaz Arce – 23 in 1996).
It was Benteke's eighth multi-goal game since the start of last season, only Denis Bouanga (10) has more in that time.
MATCH PREDICTION – NASHVILLE SC WIN
D.C. claimed their first-ever victory over Nashville when the sides last met on July 13, winning 2-1 on home soil.
Nashville have, however, won all three of their home games against D.C. by an aggregate score of 8-2.
D.C. were thrashed 4-0 by the Philadelphia Union in their last road game on September 22, halting a four-match unbeaten run on their travels. With Nashville taking seven points from their last four games, another defeat could await them here.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Nashville SC – 47.9%
D.C. United – 26.1%
Draw – 26%
Vancouver Whitecaps clinched their playoff place at the weekend, and Vanni Sartini does not want his players to play differently against Seattle Sounders.
The Whitecaps may be winless in their last three matches, but their 1-1 draw with Portland Timbers on Saturday was enough to secure their place in the postseason for the third time in the last four seasons.
They are currently seventh in the Western Conference, but Sartini is hopeful they can return to winning ways to push higher up the table.
"We have the luck to be already qualified, so even though it's not like a do or die, we can't be scared," Sartini said.
"Now it's all about the prize that is in front of us. And the prize will hopefully make us perform in a way that is with no restraint, with no fear, with a lot of confidence and going there to try to win.”
"It's all about trying to get into that [postseason] kind of mentality and habits of being a team that can play and win games. We want to try to become playoff winners."
Meanwhile, Seattle, who are unbeaten in four, sit three points and two places above their opponents ahead of Wednesday's meeting.
They ground out a 1-0 victory over Houston Dynamo last time out, and now Brian Schmetzer is aiming to find consistency after securing their own playoff place.
"We're going to play our best team against Vancouver and then Colorado," he said.
"There's no more experimenting. We need to get some consistency and make sure the 11 players I believe are the best continue to grow together as a group."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Vancouver Whitecaps – Brian White
Brian White has scored 15 goals in back-to-back seasons after only Camilo Sanvezzo (22 in 2013) hit that mark in the Whitecaps first 12 MLS campaigns.
White joins Denis Bouanga and Cucho Hernandez as the only three players with 15 goals in each of the last two MLS seasons.
Seattle Sounders – Paul Rothrock
Paul Rothrock's goal in Seattle's 1-0 win over Houston on Saturday was the 23rd by an American player for the Sounders this regular season.
Only Colorado Rapids (30) have had more goals scored by American players in 2024.
MATCH PREDICTION: VANCOUVER WHITECAPS WIN
The Whitecaps have lost only one of their six meetings with Seattle since September 2022 (W3 D2). Prior to that, Seattle had won 10 of the previous 14 meetings (D4) between the sides.
Vancouver have lost only two of their last 12 regular-season matches (W6 D4) dating back to late June. The Whitecaps conceded eight total goals in the two defeats (four in each match) while allowing nine total goals in the other 10 matches in that time.
Meanwhile, Seattle have won seven of their last 11 away matches in all competitions (D1 L3), including a 4-0 win at Columbus Crew in their last away match. The Sounders had won just seven of their previous 34 on the road prior to this run.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Vancouver Whitecaps – 41.2%
Draw – 26.7%
Seattle Sounders – 32.1%
While the New York Red Bulls have accomplished their mission of reaching the playoffs, head coach Sandro Schwarz has laid down the law to his players ahead of their trip to Toronto FC.
The Red Bulls suffered a humiliating 5-1 home defeat against cross-city rivals New York City last time out, going 2-0 down within just six minutes and 55 seconds of kick-off.
They did, however, clinch a playoff place due to other results going their way, boasting a seven-point cushion over eighth-placed Toronto, who only have two games remaining.
"It was different emotions last weekend," Schwarz said. "We were very disappointed about the game, and on the other side we were satisfied with qualifying for the playoffs.
"When we see the big picture, this was good, but it's more about the emotions from the last game to be honest.
"We had a lot of individual talks, me with individual players, about the game and the behaviour. Now the feeling it was necessary to have this open communication."
Toronto conceded a late equaliser against the Chicago Fire – who are out of playoff contention – on Saturday to damage their postseason hopes.
After that 1-1 draw, John Herdman's side only occupy a wild-card place due to having more wins than the Philadelphia Union and CF Montreal, both of whom have a game in hand.
"We were six minutes away from taking three points, so it's a big missed opportunity," Herdman said.
"Results in MLS went our way. We could have been two points clear of the other teams. But it is what it is.
"That last goal, if we're fresh, that doesn't happen. All in all, given it's been a heavy week, I thought the lads put a hell of a shift in."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Toronto FC – Prince Osei Owusu
Owusu scored Toronto's lone goal in their draw with the Fire from the penalty spot. It was just their second penalty goal this season and first on the road since the opening day of the 2023 season. He will hope for a shorter wait for his next opportunity from the spot.
New York Red Bulls – Dante Vanzeir
Vanzeir has scored in each of the Red Bulls' last two matches. He has 13 goal involvements in MLS this term (four goals, nine assists), with only Lewis Morgan registering more for the Red Bulls (14 – 12 goals and two assists).
MATCH PREDICTION – NEW YORK RED BULLS WIN
The Red Bulls are unbeaten in 11 straight meetings with Toronto in all competitions (seven wins, four draws). New York have also kept clean sheets in each of the last five meetings.
They have won their last two games against Toronto by a 3-0 scoreline, including when the sides last faced off in June. With Toronto winless in four matches in all competitions, they may fancy their chances of another victory.
None of Toronto's last 27 home matches have ended in a draw (12 wins, 15 draws). This equals the longest streak without a home draw in all competitions for an MLS team in the post-shootout era (since 2000), along with the New England Revolution from 2001-02.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Toronto FC – 30.1%
New York Red Bulls – 45%
Draw – 24.9%
Colorado Rapids head coach Chris Armas is adamant his team will bounce back from defeat when they face LA Galaxy in MLS on Wednesday.
The Rapids suffered a 3-0 defeat to Minnesota United on Saturday, only managing one shot on target in an underwhelming performance.
They have already clinched a playoff spot, sitting fourth in the Western Conference, but have now lost two of their last three outings (winning the other one).
And Armas is confident his team will once again bounce back from defeat, based on their mentality throughout the season.
"I can tell you that our group responds, they respond when we have losses," Armas said. "We've done it all year in a big way.
"So, we'll look to do that again. We around here at the Rapids this year, from the very first game, we've not gotten too low, we've not gotten too high – this is another case of that.
"We rebound, take a hard look, we recover, and we get things ready for Wednesday."
Meanwhile, LA Galaxy bounced back from a 4-2 defeat to Portland Timbers with a 4-2 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps last time out.
They may have a six-point lead in the table, but head coach Greg Vanney is still looking to make improvements so they can finish the season strong.
"We have two on the road and one at home, and we'll take any advantage we can get to finish on top," Vanney said.
"Sometimes our unselfishness is that we're trying to make a more perfect moment to finish, but you want to try and just keep it as smooth as possible down the stretch."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Colorado Rapids – Djordje Mihailovic
Colorado's 3-0 loss at Minnesota United on Saturday was just the third time the club was shut out this season with only Inter Miami (twice) failing to score less often.
They were kept quiet in front of goal in that defeat, with only Djordje Mihailovic registering more than one shot (two), and he was the only one to hit the target.
LA Galaxy – Joseph Paintsil
Joseph Paintsil's goal against Vancouver Whitecaps on September 21 was his 10th of the regular season, joining teammates Dejan Joveljic (14), Gabriel Pec (13) and Riqui Puig (11) in double figures.
The Galaxy are the first team in MLS history with four double-digit goalscorers in a single season.
MATCH PREDICTION: COLORADO RAPIDS WIN
The Rapids are unbeaten in five straight home matches against the Galaxy (W3 D2). This is Colorado's longest home unbeaten run against LA in all competitions since a seven-match run (W6 D1) in 2006-09.
Indeed, Colorado are unbeaten in 10 straight regular-season home matches (W8 D2), including winning the last three in a row. The Rapids have had only three longer home unbeaten runs in a single season in club history, most recently a 16-match run in 2021.
The Galaxy have totaled 58 points this season, already their most in a single season since 2014 (61). The Galaxy are two points away from becoming the first team in MLS history to record four seasons with at least 60 points (1998, 2011, 2014).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Colorado Rapids – 42.1%
Draw – 26.7%
LA Galaxy – 31.2%
West Indies captain Hayley Matthews and all-rounder Deandra Dottin are among players from across the globe that have welcomed the ICC’s landmark decision to offer equal prize money between men’s and women’s competitions.
Matthews, Dottin, and others hailed the move by the sport’s governing body, which came ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to get underway in the United Arab Emirates on Thursday.
The tournament winners will receive US$2.34 million after the final on October 20, with the runners-up receiving US$1.17 million as part of a total prize pot of just over US$7.95 million.
That represents an increase of 225% from last year’s edition and makes cricket the only major team sport to have equal prize money for its men’s and women’s World Cup events.
The significant moment in cricket history has been met with acclaim from players ahead of the start of competition on Thursday, with Bangladesh set to take on Scotland at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
“It puts a lot of respect on the game. As women and as professional cricketers, we go out there and work super hard every day, just as hard as the men do,” Matthews said ahead of their opening match on Friday.
“We are all on the world stage the same way so to get equal prize money is a huge thing. Hopefully we can see more stuff like that being done and going across the board all the way,” she added.
West Indies, who won the tournament in 2016, welcomed back Deandra Dottin into the international fold after two years away, and the legendary all-rounder was pleased to see the ICC lead the way on tournament prize money.
“It is really good to see. Change is good, it just goes to show that women’s cricket is getting taken seriously, which is a great thing. This shows we are going forward in the right direction, and we are being more respected in that area,” Dottin noted.
Bangladesh seamer Jahanara Alam is among those hoping to be in action in the opener, and the 31-year-old believes the move to equal prize money will have a long-lasting impact on the sport.
"This is inspiring for us. I believe this will be motivating and inspiring for the next generation. It is good for us as we will get financial support,” Alam reasoned.
“Parents in Bangladesh who don't want to let their daughters take up sports and only want them to study for a job or business will be inspired by this and will be motivated to send their daughters to play cricket,” she opined.
Bangladesh’s captain, Nigar Sultana, believes the move represents the broader positive changes happening within women’s cricket.
"Money is always motivating. This is a good thing, and in women's cricket, we are seeing that a lot of changes are made. That is happening in Bangladesh as well. For the whole team, it looks like if we can do well, we can achieve good things in life. So from that point of view, it really makes us happy,” Sultana stated.
The tournament will see 10 teams vying for supremacy. Australia are defending champions, having won a year ago in South Africa.
South Africa were runners-up last year and begin their campaign against West Indies in Dubai on Friday.
Portmore United finally broke their winless run in the 2024/25 Wray and Nephew Jamaica Premier League (JPL) season when they edged Tivoli Gardens in a come-from-behind 2-1 scoreline at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex on Monday night.
The victory, secured by a late strike from substitute Javier Brown in the 89th minute, marked the St Catherine-based club’s first taste of success after three games, lifting the weight of early season pressure from their shoulders.
Junior Grizzelle (45+1) also struck for Portmore United, after 19-year-old Nickalia Fuller gave Tivoli Gardens a 40th-minute lead.
With the win, Portmore United moved up the standings from 13th to 10th, giving their fans and coach Rudolph Austin reason to hope that a revival is on the cards.
“It was a really good performance by the team; they went out there and they executed what we planned throughout the week, so hats off to them. They showed a lot of character when they went down and came back and won the game so that was brilliant. The fight they showed is the Portmore United I know, work hard, play to the end, and win games.
“That is why we won seven championships, so that is what I want my players to always do; go out and express themselves. Even if you make a mistake, keep going. So hopefully this is the start of a successful run for us but one thing I can tell you is that I won’t let up,” Austin declared in a post-game interview.
Romeo Guthrie marshalled Portmore United's midfield.
The former Reggae Boy turned coach also heaped praise on former Arnett Garden stalwart Romeo Guthrie, whose performance—marked by two assists—reinforced the importance of the team’s creative spark.
But the night belonged to former Vere United captain Brown, the unlikely hero who ensured Portmore United ended with three precious points.
“When I used to play against Vere United, he [Brown] was always in our box, so I knew he had that in him, and he was hungry to deliver for us. But I can’t leave out Guthrie; I think he had a very good game... all the guys played well, but I think Guthrie was outstanding,” Austin added.
The match unfolded as a one-sided affair for the most part, as Portmore United dictated the pace and forced Tivoli Gardens back for long spells. In fact, they peppered Tivoli’s goal with 15 shots, 10 of which were on target, displaying a level of control and intent that had been missing in their earlier fixtures.
Grizzelle fired Portmore United’s first warning shot in the third minute that caught Tivoli Gardens’ goalkeeper Diego Haughton off his line, but the effort kissed the crossbar on its way out.
Five minutes later, Jahien Rose also pulled the trigger from a distance, but that shot was tipped over by Haughton diving full stretch.
Tivoli Gardens later settled and went close through Fuller, who drove into the 18-yard box and got off a left-footed effort that was kept out by Daniel Russell in goal for Portmore United.
However, Fuller, a former Excelsior High standout, broke the deadlock on his second attempt, as he released a delightful left-footed strike from a tight angle outside the 18-yard box that had Russell well beaten.
That was all the West Kingston team would get as they only mustered four shots, with Fuller’s efforts the only two on target.
Such was Portmore United’s dominance from that point on as Guthrie stamped his mark on the game. The industrious playmaker, who was at the heart of most of Portmore United’s attacking moves, provided the assist for the equaliser on the stroke of the interval.
He dispossessed a defender deep in Tivoli Gardens quarters and played off a pass for Grizzelle, whose tap in left Haughton rooted to the spot as they went to the break with the score levelled at 1-1.
Junior Grizzelle scored the opener.
But even with the scores level, the momentum never truly shifted away from Portmore after the interval. They pressed forward relentlessly in a sustained attacking spell that forced Tivoli to defend deep and absorb pressure.
Tedj Bryan should have put Portmore United ahead in the 47th when he picked up a poor clearance from Haughton, but his tame effort was kept out by the custodian, who stuck out the right leg.
They thought they had the breakthrough in the 65th when Okelo Howard played a timely through pass into the final third for Tarick Ximines to finish, but the goal was called back for an offside.
Ximines was at it again in the 75th as he outmuscled a defender on his way towards goal. However, his final effort was denied by Haughton's outstretched right leg.
As the clock ticked down, it seemed the go-ahead goal would elude Portmore United, and they would have to settle for another frustrating draw.
Enter Brown, who replaced Ximines in the attack.
In the dying embers of the match, Guthrie once again turned provider, threading a clever pass into Brown’s path. With a burst of pace and a clinical finish, Brown drove a firm right-footer past the slightly advanced Haughton to send the Portmore bench and fans into frenzy.
Tivoli Gardens Head coach Jerome Waite acknowledged that his team needs to be sharper and more assertive as their defensive effort was found wanting, while their inability to match Portmore United’s intensity was glaring.
“We defeated ourselves because the two goals came from poor defensive errors and Portmore United capitalised on both of them. It is our second game, so we still have a lot of work to do, and at the same time they will have to learn and understand where the system of play is concerned,” Waite said.
Matchweek 3 Results
Harbour View 2, Molynes United 1
Vere United 1, Humble Lion 1
Waterhouse 0, Cavalier 2
Arnett Gardens 1, Racing United 1
Chapelton Maroons 0, Montego Bay United 1
Portmore United 2, Tivoli Gardens 1
Dunbeholden vs Mount Pleasant (Postponed)
Caleb Porter says New England Revolution need to show they are fighters against Houston Dynamo as they look to build on their latest win.
The Revs beat Nashville SC 1-0 at the weekend to move off the foot of the Eastern Conference, snapping a five-match winless streak in the process.
They are just six points off a playoff spot with four games left to play, and Porter is hoping for more of the same mentality to come away with three points.
"We talked a lot last week about just having a better mentality, not being quite as emotional, and just being more steady and having ice in our veins a little bit more," Porter said, as quoted in the Blazing Musket substack.
"We are going to have to, at times, absorb. [Houston] are one of the best possession teams in the league.
"We are going to have to keep the game tight. From here on out, we have to be tough to play against. We are going to keep showing we are fighters, and we are going to be organized."
Meanwhile, Houston clinched their playoff spot at the weekend, despite a 1-0 defeat to Seattle Sounders due to FC Dallas' loss, as they sit sixth in the Western Conference.
It is the second year running they are in the postseason, and head coach Ben Olsen is hopeful they can use that as motivation to get back to winning ways.
"We are excited about being in the postseason and that's a big deal," Olsen said.
"These guys have worked really hard all year to get us into this position. We have a tough team in town in New England, so we have to focus on that as we turn the page on a disappointing result in Seattle."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Houston Dynamo – Griffin Dorsey
The Dynamo held 62.4% possession against the Sounders on Saturday, the 14th time Houston held at least 60% of the ball in 2024, the third-most games on record in an MLS season since Opta began detailed data collection of MLS in 2010.
Griffin Dorsey finished the game with a 100% pass completion rate in that defeat, not misplacing any of his 41 passes in the 80 minutes he was on the pitch.
New England Revolution – Aljaz Ivacic
After conceding multiple goals in each of their previous five league matches, New England secured a 1-0 win over Nashville on Saturday.
The Revolution have not kept consecutive regular-season clean sheets since the opening two matches of the 2023 season, with the second of those coming against Houston, and Aljaz Ivacic will be keen to get another shutout.
MATCH PREDICTION: HOUSTON DYNAMO WIN
New England have won seven of their last nine matches against Houston (D1 L1) dating back to the beginning of the 2014 season. However, the Dynamo's only win in that time came in the last meeting between the sides in Houston, a 3-1 victory in September 2022.
Houston's five-match unbeaten run came to an end on Saturday with a 1-0 loss at Seattle. The Dynamo have not lost consecutive matches in all competitions since losses to Austin FC and FC Dallas in late April.
Meanwhile, New England have lost 13 of their last 17 MLS away matches (incl. playoffs) dating back to the start of October 2023. The Revs have lost their last three on the road, being outscored 9-0 in those games.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Houston Dynamo – 61.1%
Draw – 20.5%
New England Revolution – 18.4%
Trinidad and Tobago’s caretaker head coach Derek King has assembled a group of home-based players to kick start preparations for the two upcoming Concacaf Nations League Group B League A matches against Cuba in Santiago on October 10 and at the Dwight Yorke Stadium on October 14.
King, who led the team in last month’s matches against Honduras and French Guiana, is focused on strength and conditioning, and will later switch to outfield work throughout the sessions, which will be conducted at the Larry Gomes and Hasely Crawford Stadium this week.
Among the players in the provisional mix are regulars Duane Muckette, Ross Russell Jr., Alvin Jones, Kevon Woodley, Denzil Smith, Christopher Biggette, Michel Poon-Angeron and Justin Garcia.
Recalled is Miscellaneous Police’s Joevin Jones, while Kevin Molino has also been invited and has participated in the sessions.
“We have maintained a strong focus on fitness, strength and conditioning, along with mental fitness training. Our primary goal remains ensuring that each player is both physically and mentally prepared to compete at the highest level. The commitment and energy from the team thus far have been exemplary, and we are confident in our progress as we build toward these crucial fixtures,” King told TTFA Media.
“I want to thank the local clubs, the TTPFL, and the TTFA for all the cooperation so far. We will continue to refine our strategies, improve individual and collective performances, and ensure the team is in peak condition to achieve the results we need,” King added.
Among other players King has invited to be part of the provisional squad are John-Paul Rochford, Jelani Peters, Ezekiel Kesar, and Jamal Jack.
The final squad will be announced on the weekend, with the contingent departing for Santiago on October 6.
King's side is currently at the foot of Group B with a point and must win both games against Cuba to keep their chances of progressing alive. In fact, should they fail to secure those six points, they will face relegation to League B.
The 12 matches that will be played in October will determine the winners and runners-up that will join Concacaf’s four top-ranked teams—Canada, Mexico, Panama, and the United States—in the quarterfinals, while the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth-place finishers will progress to the 2025 Gold Cup Prelims and Concacaf Nations League Play-In, respectively.
The Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals will be played in a home-and-away format in November 2024, with the aggregate score winner in each matchup advancing to the 2025 Concacaf Nations League Finals and qualifying for the 2025 Gold Cup. The losing quarterfinalists will advance to the 2025 Gold Cup Prelims.
Jim Curtin is confident the Philadelphia Union have put themselves in a good position, but admits they need to stop dropping points ahead of their trip to Orlando City.
The Union had recorded back-to-back wins in MLS before last weekend, when they let a lead slip to draw 1-1 with Atlanta United.
It leaves them ninth in the Eastern Conference, one of three teams on 37 points, as they push for a place in the playoffs.
Despite the tight table, Curtin is optimistic that their solid work to this point will be enough to help them qualify.
"We're at a point in the year that every team in and around that red line are very desperate," he said.
"It's going to go down to the last day for sure, and we've put ourselves in a situation where we're still in control of our own destiny, but our margin for error is small.
"Not taking the extra two points against Atlanta makes it a little more challenging, no doubts about that."
Meanwhile, Orlando clinched their playoff place last time out with a 3-1 win over FC Dallas.
Sitting fourth in the table, Oscar Pareja was proud of how his team turned around a poor start to the campaign but is still pushing them to finish the regular season strongly.
"We're so excited, and we have a lot of gratitude with the club and with the fans that have supported us this year," Pareja said. "One more time we qualify for the playoffs.
"It's great for a group of players that have a big heart and a big love for the club too, and a lot of passion for what they do. So, I'm very happy.
"We still have a journey to navigate. The boys are in a good mentality."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Orlando City – Facundo Torres
With a goal on Saturday, Facundo Torres has contributed to at least one goal in five straight regular season matches, equalling the longest streak of his career.
The Orlando City club record for consecutive games with a goal contribution is six, done three times before, including by Martin Ojeda earlier this season.
Philadelphia Union – Nathan Harriel
The Union drew, 1-1, with Atlanta United on Saturday despite taking a 1-0 lead, with Harriel scoring their lone goal.
Philadelphia have now dropped 24 points from winning positions this season, the second-most in MLS in 2024 (St. Louis City – 25) and most in a single season in club history, and Harriel will want to help his fellow defenders ensure it does not happen again.
MATCH PREDICTION: ORLANDO CITY WIN
Orlando defeated the Union 3-2 at Subaru Park on May 11. The Lions have never defeated Philadelphia twice in a single season before.
Indeed, Orlando are unbeaten in nine straight home matches (W6 D3) in all competitions, including keeping clean sheets in each of the last four. This is the first time they kept clean sheets in four straight home matches in all competitions in club history.
Meanwhile, the Union have won two of their last three regular-season away matches (L1), including a 5-1 victory at New York City FC on September 18. Philadelphia had won only one of their previous eight road league matches prior to this run.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Orlando City – 45.9%
Draw – 26.7%
Philadelphia Union – 27.4%
Phil Neville knows his Portland Timbers team have their fate in their own hands, and says they are "exactly where we want to be".
The Timbers drew 1-1 with their Pacific north-west rivals the Vancouver Whitecaps last time out.
With FC Dallas losing to Orlando City, Portland are eight points clear in the final playoff wildcard spot in the Western Conference with only nine points left to play for.
It means that a win against Austin FC on Wednesday would guarantee the Timbers' place in the postseason.
A draw may also be enough, depending on Dallas' result elsewhere, though Portland then face the team from Texas in their penultimate regular-season match.
Neville said: "It's in our own hands.
"What I've said to the players is that at the start of the season, when we were in preseason and setting the goals for the season, if we'd have known with three games to go, our destination is in our hands, then I think we would have snatched their hands off.
"Now it's over to us, it's up to us to do what we do at home.
"Two really tough games against two really well-coached teams but it's in our own hands. We’re exactly where we want to be and we want to chase down the people in front of us."
Austin are not mathematically out of the equation for the playoffs, though they would have to win to keep their slender hopes alive.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Portland Timbers - Evander
Evander has recorded an assist in an MLS-record nine straight home matches.
The Brazilian has 12 assists in home matches this season and could equal the third-most in a single season in league history with one more as only Carlos Valderrama (15 in 2000) and Preki (15 in 1997) had more than 13 in a single season.
Austin FC - Sebastian Driussi
Two years ago, Driussi plundered 25 goals in MLS. Last year, he scored 11.
It has been slim pickings in comparison this term for the Austin playmaker, who has netted five times, and has not scored since May in the league. If he is to come good, this is the time to do it.
MATCH PREDICTION: PORTLAND WIN
Austin scored in the 81st and 89th minutes to come from 2-0 down to earn a draw against Real Salt Lake on Saturday.
It marked the second time Austin have overcome a two-goal deficit in the 80th minute or later also doing so in a 3—2 win against D.C. United in April 2022.
However, the Timbers are made the favourites by Opta's model.
Austin have managed just six wins in 38 away from home in all competitions (D9 L23), while the Timbers have won 10 of their last 12 home matches in all competitions (D2). Portland have scored four times in five of those 12 matches, including three of the last four.
The Timbers have won five of their last six matches against Austin (D1) after losing each of the first two meetings, both in Austin.
Austin scored seven goals in their first two matches against Portland but have managed just five goals in the six meetings since.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Portland Timbers - 53.4%
Austin - 22.7%
Draw - 23.9%
Los Angeles FC coach Steve Cherundolo labelled Denis Bouanga as "unstoppable" when the forward is at his best.
Bouanga came off the bench to score the winner as LAFC beat FC Cincinnati 2-1 over the weekend.
That victory saw LAFC, fresh from winning the US Open Cup, clinch their spot in the playoffs.
Bouanga, who has scored 18 goals and set up a further eight in MLS this season, was not impressed with having to settle for a super-sub role, but Cherundolo cares not.
"Denis always wants to play; he never wants to rest," Cherundolo said.
"He was quite upset with me for not starting. And that's okay. Everybody can hate me, that's fine.
"But I think freshness and also making sure he's getting enough rest makes him also better.
"Obviously, he's physically capable of playing every game, but when he loses his explosiveness, he is still extremely good and we're happy to have him.
"But with explosiveness and freshness, he's unstoppable."
Ahead of playing St. Louis City SC on Wednesday, the challenge that now faces LAFC is to go on and secure a home playoff seed.
"To have that sort of response, it's going to be huge going forward for us," defender Ryan Hollingshead said after the win over Cincinnati.
"The team's already confident. And then you throw that result on top of it, I think it's going to be exactly what we need to go get a really good seed in the West moving forward and then go make another run for a cup."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
LAFC - Kei Kamara
Kamara set up LAFC's opener against Cincinnati.
It was Kamara's 49th assist in MLS. He is now one away from becoming the fifth player in league history with 100 goals and 50 assists.
St. Louis City SC - Cedric Teuchert
Teuchert has recorded eight goal contributions in his first seven MLS matches (five goals, three assists), including three in Saturday's win over Sporting Kansas City.
He is the first player to record eight goal contributions in his first seven MLS matches since Alejandro Pozuelo (10) in 2019.
MATCH PREDICTION: LAFC WIN
St. Louis, who are 12th in the Western Conference, are unbeaten in four straight away matches for the first time in club history. Indeed, they have lost only six of their last 15 on the road dating back to the beginning of March (W1 D8).
However, LAFC are nevertheless backed by Opta's predictor. They have now hit 50 points in five of their six full MLS seasons, becoming one of two teams, along with the Philadelphia Union, to reach 50 points five times in the last six full seasons dating back to 2018 (excluding the shortened 2020 season).
The omens are good for LAFC, who are unbeaten against St. Louis, winning two of the three meetings (D1). In fact, LAFC have kept clean sheets in all three matches against St. Louis, making them the only opponent the latter have faced but never scored against.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
LAFC - 62.1%
St. Louis City - 17.8%
Draw - 20%
After 30 matches in the preliminary phase, we have finally come to the portion of the 2024 Caribbean Premier League where a champion will be crowned…the playoffs.
The four-match spectacle, all to take place at the Providence Stadium in Guyana, is set to bowl off with the eliminator on Tuesday evening between the Trinbago Knight Riders and the Barbados Royals.
The loser of that encounter will unfortunately see their 2024 CPL campaign come to an end while the winner will advance to the second qualifier to face the loser of Wednesday’s Qualifier 1 between hosts, defending champions and league-phase table toppers, the Guyana Amazon Warriors and the St. Lucia Kings.
That game will take place on Friday and the winner will face the winner of Qualifier 1 in the final on Sunday.
The Kings are the only team in these playoffs yet to lift a CPL title, finishing as runners up in consecutive years in 2020 and 2021.
The Knight Riders will be looking to add to their record four titles, with the last one coming in 2020.
The Royals are two-time champions, with their wins coming in 2014 and 2019 when they were named the ‘Tridents.’
The Amazon Warriors won their first title last year after being beaten finalists five times from 2013-2019.
With all that in mind, let’s take a closer look at some of the key players for each franchise heading into the business end of the tournament.
Guyana Amazon Warriors
Shimron Hetmyer
The 27-year-old left-hander has had an excellent season with the bat for the defending champions. The former West Indies U-19 World Cup-winning captain scored 353 runs in 10 innings at an average of 39.22 and a phenomenal strike rate of 186.77.
He hit four fifties including a highest score of 91 against the St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots on September 3. Against the Kings, Hetmyer hit 58 in their second-to-last game of the league phase and will hope that form carries over to Wednesday’s game.
Gudakesh Motie and Imran Tahir
On those spin-friendly pitches in Guyana, the Amazon Warriors will need their spin twins Gudakesh Motie and Imran Tahir to shine with the ball. They’ve both been in excellent form this season with 31 wickets between them.
Motie’s 16 wickets have come at an average of 14.37 while Tahir’s 15 have come at 16.37.
St. Lucia Kings
Johnson Charles
The no nonsense right-hander has always had a reputation of being a hit or miss type of batsman. This season, he’s been doing more of the former. He scored the third most runs this season with 366 in 10 innings at an average of 40.66 and a strike rate of 152.50. He’s had scores of 19 and 12 against the Amazon Warriors this season and will be hoping to make a significant contribution against them on Wednesday.
Noor Ahmad
Still only 19-year-old, Afghanistan’s Noor Ahmad was the pick of the bowlers this season with a tournament-leading 18 wickets in 10 matches at an average of just 13.16. In his two outings against the Amazon Warriors, he recorded figures of 3-22 and 2-26 and should get a lot of assistance from the pitch in Guyana on Wednesday.
Trinbago Knight Riders
Nicholas Pooran
2024 has been a phenomenal year in T20 cricket for Nicholas Pooran. He recently broke Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan’s record for most T20 run scored in a calendar year and followed that up with a brilliant 101 in his team’s final league phase game against the Amazon Warriors on Sunday.
In total, Pooran finished with 413 runs in 10 innings at an average of 45.88 and a strike rate of 174.26. In his two games against Tuesday opponents the Royals this season, he recorded scores of 35 and 27.
Waqar Salamkheil
The second Afghan left-arm wrist spinner on this list, Salamkheil has been the Knight Riders’ strike bowler this season with Sunil Narine missing the final four games of the league phase. The 22-year-old took 15 wickets in 10 games at an average of 21.73 with his best figures of 3-13 coming against the Royals in Bridgetown on September 12.
Barbados Royals
Quinton de Kock
One of the premier T20 batsmen in the world over the last few years, the South African has shown his class all season for the Royals. His 434 runs in 10 innings at an average of 54.25 put him at the top of the list for most runs. The Royals have been heavily reliant on de Kock’s production this season as he is the only Royals batsman in the top 15. He also had the highest individual score this season, 115 against the Amazon Warriors in Bridgetown on September 13.
Maheesh Theekshana
In his first CPL season, the Sri Lankan mystery spinner has been the best performing bowler for the Royals. He played all 10 games, taking 15 wickets at an impressive economy of just 5.87 and an average of 15.26.
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