Sandro Schwarz is treating New York Red Bulls' meeting with New York City FC as a blank slate but is looking forward to the "special atmosphere" of the derby.
The Red Bulls are winless in five matches since their return to MLS action after the Leagues Cup, alternating between draws and losses – they drew 2-2 with Atlanta United last time out – leaving them fourth in the Eastern Conference.
They lost the reverse fixture back in May 2-1, but Schwarz is adamant that history will not dictate the result of this meeting.
"It's a derby and that means a special atmosphere in our stadium, which is necessary for us," Schwarz said. "This is good to have this game now against New York City.
"It's a new situation, and now we have to show we are in a good spot and show our whole quality and energy, which we need to get three points.
"We don't think too much about the results in the past, we just need to focus on right now to get the three points."
Meanwhile, NYCFC are seventh in the table, three points behind their opponents, but they are on a 10-match winless streak in MLS, with their last win coming in early July.
They snatched a last-gasp 1-1 draw with Inter Miami last time out and head coach Nick Cushing is hopeful their fans can spur them on once again.
"Our fans were incredible in the Miami game,” he said. "I'm really proud of that.
"When I speak to our players, that was a huge factor in fighting and continuing to push [against Miami].
"Having the hunger and the desire to get something was, of course, for our league position and for our push toward the postseason, but it was also for our fans."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
New York Red Bulls – Julian Hall
Julian Hall recorded his first career assist against Atlanta to go along with his two goals.
At 16 years, 181 days, Hall is the second-youngest player in MLS history to record at least two goals and an assist, after Freddy Adu (14 years, 355 days).
New York City FC – James Sands
James Sands scored at 94:40 to earn NYCFC a point against Inter Miami last Saturday.
It was the third-latest result-changing goal in regular season play in club history and the latest that was not from the penalty spot.
MATCH PREDICTION: NEW YORK RED BULLS WIN
The Red Bulls have won 12 of their 16 home matches against New York City FC (D2 L2) in all competitions, including the last two in a row. The Red Bulls have limited NYCFC to eight goals in those 16 matches, allowing multiple goals only once (2-0 defeat in 2017).
However, 11 of the Red Bulls' last 15 matches in all competitions have ended in draws (W2 D2). They have not won in over two months, since a 3-1 victory over FC Cincinnati on July 20.
Meanwhile, New York City FC are winless in 11 straight away matches in all competitions dating back to June. NYCFC lost the first three of those but have managed to draw six of the last eight away from home (L2).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
New York Red Bulls – 48.4%
Draw – 25.8%
New York City FC – 25.8%
Two players from Dinthill Technical High School have been banned from taking part in any Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) competition for one year, while a third was suspended for three games following an incident involving match officials at the end of a daCosta Cup match against McGrath High last Saturday.
In a release on Thursday, after a meeting of its disciplinary committee, ISSA revealed that Maalick Whyte and Shamair Hutchinson have been banned from participating in any ISSA-run competitions for one year, effective September 26, 2024, while Tyrese Gowe, was hit with the three-match suspension.
The Linstead-based school was also placed on a three-year probation and faces the possibility of suspension should its players breach the disciplinary code of conduct within the period of probation.
Reports are that players were involved in a confrontation with the referee after the game, and it was alleged one of them physically assaulted the official.
ISSA pointed out that the decision represents its commitment to ensuring that all rules are adhered to and the actions of the student athletes were unacceptable.
“The Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association reminds all its various stakeholders that we are committed to ensuring that all our student-athletes display the requisite decorum befitting their status as ambassadors of our schools and the various competitions in which they compete. We strongly condemn any acts of indiscipline and more so acts of physical aggression and/or assault on any match official,” ISSA's release said.
Miscellaneous Police FC and Mount Pleasant FA played to a scoreless draw in Group A of the 2024 Concacaf Caribbean Cup at Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
Kevon Woodley had a shot off the volley in the 25’, but his strike rebounded on the outside of the left post.
Mark Ramdeen had a strike across the face of goal in the 30’, but his attempt sailed wide of the right post.
Kyle Ming was denied by the left post himself in the 47' after a lob from the right side of midfield nearly surprised Police FC.
Kwesi Allen attempted a header from close range in the 80’ but was wide of the mark as Shaquille Dyer provided the personal marking.
Xavier Rajpaul tried his luck from the top of the box in the 83’ but could not capitalize on a corner kick attempt.
Adrian Foncette had a crucial save in the 88’ to deny Nicholas Nelson from the edge of the six-yard box.
Miscellaneous Police FC is unable to advance to the semifinals with the draw. The Trinidad and Tobago side played its final encounter and will finish no higher than third place when the group stage concludes next week.
Mount Pleasant will host Real Hope FA next Thursday and can advance to the semifinals with a victory.
Wilfried Nancy insists that Columbus Crew’s Campeones Cup final defeat in midweek will not deter his side from achieving their goals in the MLS playoffs this season.
The Crew were edged out on penalties by Mexican side Club America after Malte Amundsen’s opener was cancelled out by Victor Davila before losing 5-4 in the shootout.
But attention now turns to league action with a trip to Audi Field to face D.C. United, and head coach Nancy believes the defeat in that showpiece match will only spur on his players.
"We lost the game. I told them when we won the MLS Cup, we learned from that. And we lost the Concacaf Champions Cup final in Pachuca. We also learned from that,” Nancy said.
“So, at the end of the day, the fact that we win, or we lose, we learn. And for me it was the message.
“And the message also for them was to tell them that I was proud of them. And we need two or three days to move forward and are already."
Meanwhile, D.C. were on the end of a 4-0 thrashing against the Philadelphia Union in their last encounter, denting their feint hopes of making a late push for the playoffs.
The Black-and-Red sit 13th in the Eastern Conference with four games of the regular season remaining, but are just three points behind the Union, who are in the final playoff position in the division.
Head coach Troy Lesesne lamented his side’s unacceptable display at Subaru Park but acknowledged the enormity of the task awaiting his team ahead of facing the Leagues Cup winners.
“I think urgency is the right word. I want to see more urgency out of our side than what we saw last week against Philadelphia,” Lesesne said.
“That’s not the type of performance want to display, but at the same time we have to move on quickly. We want to take the game to Columbus as much as we can.
“They are extremely talented, and they’ve had lot of success. We know they are a tough opponent. We’re going to try and have the mindset – it is critical against an opponent like this.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
D.C. United - Christian Benteke
Benteke has won 271 aerial duels this season, the most in a single season since Opta began detailed data collection of the MLS in 2010.
The Belgian has won 51 more aerial duels than the entire Crew team, who have won an MLS-low of 220 aerial duels this season.
Columbus Crew – Cucho Hernandez
Hernandez came off the bench to record a goal and an assist in the Crew’s win over Orlando on Saturday, his second such game as a substitute this season.
The Colombian is one of six players in MLS history to record multiple games with a goal and an assist off the bench in a single season.
MATCH PREDICTION: COLUMBUS CREW WIN
The Crew are unbeaten in six straight meetings with D.C. (W4 D2), though the Black-and-Red did manage a 1-1 draw in Columbus in April. This is the longest unbeaten run by either team against the other since the Crew went on an eight-match unbeaten run over D.C. in 2005-06.
Nancy’s side’s win over Orlando City last time out took them to 56 points on the season after totalling 57 points in the 2023 campaign. Prior to last season, Columbus had never earned more than 54 points in a single campaign before.
D.C. have won only one of their last 10 regular-season home matches (D4 L5) dating back to the beginning of May. No team has collected fewer points at home than the Black-and-Gold (seven, tied with San Jose Earthquakes) over that time.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
D.C. United – 19.8%
Draw – 20.9%
Columbus Crew – 59.3%
Josh Wolff remains optimistic that Austin FC can improve on their play in the final third when they face Real Salt Lake in MLS on Saturday.
Wolff is under some pressure with Austin failing to win any of their last four league matches, scoring just two goals in that run.
They still have an outside chance of making the playoffs, currently sitting 11th in the Western Conference, but the head coach knows that will not happen if they do not score.
"The main thing is you've got to go out and win the next game," Wolff told reporters.
"We've got to have the same ideas that we've had and the same performances that we've had, we've just got to take our opportunities.
"I keep echoing that we've been one of the better-performing teams at both ends, but it's all for nought if we can't score goals and win games and that's the only part that's been lacking."
Meanwhile, RSL booked their place in the playoffs last weekend after a 3-3 draw with Portland Timbers, and currently sit second in the table.
That is partly down to their impressive home form, as they have failed to win their last four on the road.
With that in mind, head coach Pablo Mastroeni is still targeting improvements, especially in defense.
"The last two performances were spirited, were gritty," said Mastroeni, "and that comes from the players' mindset.
"This group is really coming into its own at the right time, and now we just have to minimize silly situations that we have complete control over.
"In the last two games we've given up three poor set pieces. What can we do more in those moments and in training? Life doesn't tell you when you're at risk."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Austin FC – Diego Rubio
Diego Rubio has scored six career goals against Salt Lake (incl. playoffs), tied for his most against any MLS opponent (also vs. Houston Dynamo & Minnesota United).
Only Jesus Ferreira (eight) and Sebastian Blanco (seven) have scored more against RSL since Rubio made his MLS debut in 2016.
Real Salt Lake – Cristian Arango
Cristian Arango has scored six career goals against Austin (incl. playoffs), tied for his most against any MLS opponent (also vs. FC Dallas & LA Galaxy).
No player has scored more than six goals against Austin in MLS play (regular season and playoffs).
MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW
Real Salt Lake have won back-to-back meetings with Austin, including a 5-1 victory when the sides met in Sandy on June 1. This is the first two-match winning streak by either team over the other.
However, RSL have lost four of their last five away matches in all competitions (D1), including the last three in a row. Salt Lake had lost only three of their previous 17 on the road in all competitions (W6 D8) prior to this run.
And Austin have struggled in recent home games, losing back-to-back matches after losing just two of their previous 14 matches at Q2 Stadium in all competitions (W8 D4). Austin have failed to score in two straight at home for the first time since July 2021 (three straight).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Austin FC – 37.4%
Draw – 26.4%
Real Salt Lake – 36.2%
Arnett Gardens Head Coach Xavier Gilbert was left with a mixed bag of emotions following his team’s goalless draw against Haitian club Real Hope in their Group A Concacaf Caribbean Cup encounter.
While pleased with their usual attacking intent and defensive resilience, which earned them their first point of the tournament, Gilbert admitted that he would have liked to secure all three points in the heated affair at the National Stadium on Wednesday to keep their semi-final hopes alive.
The “Junglists” were more threatening in open play and felt they should have won the contest as they had a goal ruled out for offside, while a penalty call, which should have gone their way, was not given.
As such, the result left them rooted at the bottom of the group on a point, as Cavalier (six points), Real Hope (five points), Police FC (four points), and Mount Pleasant FA (three points) remain in contention for the top two spots to the semis.
With one game to come against Mount Pleasant on October 3, Gilbert is hoping they can secure a win to cap off what he described as a valuable experience for the team in the regional competition.
“Honestly, it’s a bit of a bittersweet feeling; I think it was a tough encounter, but I can fault the guys for trying. I’m happy that the team showed great effort and fight, but decision-making in the final third could have been better,” Gilbert told Sportsmax.TV.
“On the other hand, I thought we were just unlucky to not get the full points last night, especially in the way some calls went against us, but that's the way it is, sometimes we get them and sometimes we don't. We came into this game hoping to get the victory, but we were just a bit short in the final third,” he added.
Despite the shortfall, Gilbert highlighted the positives of the Caribbean Cup campaign and believes the team has gained crucial exposure and experience testing themselves against regional opponents. This, he said, will serve them well for the remainder of the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) season.
“We fight on nonetheless; we are happy for the exposure that we got at this level, and hopefully we can use this as a catalyst to do well in the local league and make it back here next season because these are the types of tournaments we need to be involved in more often,” he explained.
“Playing teams from across the Caribbean pushes us to raise our level and exposes the areas we need to improve. The intensity and quality are slightly different from what we face locally, and the players have to adapt quickly. It’s an experience we’ll definitely build on going forward,” he noted.
With the JPL season already in full swing and Arnett Gardens, Gilbert has already shifting his focus to ensuring that his team come out stronger for their next encounter against promoted Racing United on Sunday.
The CFU Club Shield winning coach believes the lessons learned in the Caribbean Cup can propel the team to a successful domestic season, which would, in turn, put them back in contention for another crack at the regional tournament next year.
Arnett Gardens currently sit second on the JPL standings on three points from their opening 3-0 win over Dunbeholden FC.
“We have to take what we’ve learned here (in the Caribbean Cup) and channel it into our JPL campaign. The goal now is to be consistent, play good football, and secure one of those top spots to qualify for the Caribbean Cup again. This tournament has given us a taste of what’s possible, and I’m confident we’ll be better equipped next time around.” Gilbert stated confidently.
The tactician is counting on his team’s mix of experienced campaigners and emerging talents to continue growing and improving as they look to reclaim domestic glory. He also expressed gratitude to the club’s fans for their unwavering support throughout the tournament and promised that they would see a revitalized Arnett Gardens as the JPL season progresses.
“We’re going back to the drawing board with a renewed focus and determination,” he said.
“The fans deserve nothing but our best effort, and we’re committed to making sure we’re back in the Caribbean Cup next year and, more importantly, compete for titles,” Gilbert ended.
Caleb Porter still believes New England Revolution have an outside chance of making the playoffs if they win all their games, starting with Nashville SC.
The Revs currently sit bottom of the Eastern Conference on 28 points and are eight points behind Philadelphia Union in ninth.
They are winless in their last five matches though, alternating between losses and draws, and were heavily beaten 4-0 by Charlotte FC last weekend after Dylan Borrero's sending-off.
Porter remains hopeful, though even he admits it may be just out of the Revs' reach.
"I might be stupid, but I still believe that we can win all five [games] and get in [the MLS Cup Playoffs] somehow," he said, as quoted in The Blazing Musket substack.
"That is the approach that I'm going to take. But if we don't, we are building for the future and I expect, obviously, that we continue developing and keep building.
"We want to give the fans hope and something to look forward to and the right message that we are continuing to grow and that even though this season has been difficult, there is going to be a light at the end of the tunnel."
Meanwhile, Nashville are five points and three places better off than their opponents, after an impressive week saw them win two and draw one of their games.
Head coach BJ Callaghan was left frustrated by some decisions in their 2-2 draw with FC Cincinnati but expects his team to be stronger for it.
"We're a team and a locker room that talks about responding to adversity, training responses, not having emotional reactions to things, so that's part of the game," Callaghan said.
"Decisions are made, and it's our job to respond and move forward."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
New England Revolution – Aljaz Ivacic
New England's 4-0 defeat to Charlotte on Saturday was the club's 13th loss by multiple goals in the 2024 regular season.
The Revs have kept just one clean sheet in their last 13 MLS outings (5-0 win over Montreal), and Aljaz Ivacic will be desperate to improve on that run.
Nashville SC – Sam Surridge
Sam Surridge scored both of Nashville's goals in the 2-2 draw with Cincinnati on Saturday.
Each of the last four multi-goal games by a Nashville player, including all three this season, have been by Surridge.
MATCH PREDICTION: NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION WIN
Three of the four meetings between New England and Nashville in Foxborough have ended in draws, with the Revs winning the other meeting 1-0 in March 2023. There have been three total goals scored in the four matches, with two of those coming in the 1-1 draw in the Leagues Cup meeting on August 6.
New England are winless in four straight regular season home matches (D3 L1), though each of the last three home games have finished level. This is their longest regular-season winless run in Foxborough since a five-match drought in March-September 2020.
Meanwhile, Nashville are unbeaten in three straight matches (W2 D1) following an eight-match regular-season losing streak. Nashville won their last away match 2-0 at Atlanta United but have not won consecutive regular-season road games since May-June 2023.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
New England Revolution – 44.2%
Draw – 26.8%
Nashville SC – 28.9%
Kingston College, Jamaica College and Excelsior High all scored massive wins in ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup action on Wednesday.
KC hit seven past Meadowbrook High at Meadowbrook to remain atop Zone C with 13 points from five games.
Elsewhere in Zone C, Campion College dispatched Penwood 2-0 to draw level on 10 points with their opponents who are in second place on goal difference.
Jose Marti Technical edged Cumberland High 2-1 in the St. Catherine derby in the day’s other Zone C clash.
Zone F action saw leaders Jamaica College defeat Bridgeport High 9-0 with Giovanni Taylor bagging four goals as the standout performer. Excelsior High hammered Pembroke Hall 11-0 in the other game from the zone.
In Zone D, Vauxhall High grabbed a late equalizer to secure a 1-1 draw against Camperdown High to remain unbeaten this season.
STATHS displayed a vintage performance as they held firm to secure their third win of the season with a 1-0 victory versus Haile Selassie and remain top of the zone with 10 points from their four outings.
Houston Dynamo set a new club record for road wins in a single season last time out, and Ben Olsen is hoping to see more "character" when they travel to Seattle Sounders.
Their 1-0 victory over Austin FC last weekend was their eighth away victory of the season, and it lifted them to fifth in the Western Conference on 48 points.
Houston are unbeaten in their last five outings in MLS and have won their last four road games on the bounce.
Despite their impressive recent run, Olsen is still pushing his team, with a playoff spot not yet secured.
"The road wins situation is great - it shows we're growing in character," Olsen said.
"To win on the road in this league, you need personality, along with talent and game plans. We always ask the guys for that, and it's good our road form has been good because our home form hasn't been great.
"We're not in the playoffs yet, and we have to keep pushing. Hopefully, when or if we get in, we can just keep trying to put points on the board."
Meanwhile, Seattle sit just one point and one place below Houston in the table, and are in good form themselves, having lost just one of their last five matches in the league.
They have are unbeaten in their last three, and head coach Brian Schmetzer is keen to keep their momentum heading into the final four games.
"Everything to play for in tight standings," Schmetzer told reporters.
"We've been in a good run of form, but we've been at a pretty good clip, and we need to finish these four games at the same level. We'll see if the actions in these games match the talk."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Seattle Sounders – Jordan Morris
Jordan Morris scored both Sounders' goals in their 2-2 draw with San Jose Earthquakes on September 18.
Morris has nine multi-goal games in his MLS career, tied for the second-most by an American since he made his MLS debut in 2016 (Gyasi Zardes – 14).
Houston Dynamo – Steve Clark
The Dynamo have kept clean sheets in three of their last four away matches, including the last two in a row, after managing just one clean sheet in their previous 21 away matches in all competitions.
Houston have not kept three straight clean sheets on the road in all competitions since 2011-12, a record Steve Clark will be looking to achieve on Saturday.
MATCH PREDICTION: SEATTLE SOUNDERS WIN
The Sounders are unbeaten in 16 all-time home matches against the Dynamo in all competitions (W13 D3), including winning the last seven meetings in Seattle. Houston have not collected an away point against the Sounders since October 2016.
Indeed, the Sounders have lost only two of 44 all-time home matches against Texas opposition (W32 D10) in all competitions. Seattle have outscored opponents 80-24 over those games.
However, the Dynamo have won four straight away matches in all competitions for the second time in club history. Houston's only longer road winning streak was a six-match run spanning the 2011 and 2012 seasons, including two wins in the 2011 playoffs.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Seattle Sounders – 43.8%
Draw – 26.8%
Houston Dynamo – 29.4%
With only two home games left of the regular season, Eric Ramsay urged Minnesota United to come away with maximum points, starting against Colorado Rapids.
The Loons currently sit ninth in the Western Conference, but due to the tight nature of the table, they could spring up it with a win.
They have won their last three road games on the bounce, but have won just one of their last seven on home soil.
Following their 2-0 victory over Sporting Kansas City, Ramsay challenged his team to bring their away form to Allianz Field.
"We've got to win at home between now and the end of the year," he said. "That's the difference maker.
"We've done our bit against teams below us in the table away from home. We just need to do the easier bit, which is put in a performance at home and win a game there.
"If we can do that in the remaining two, we'll be in a really good position."
Meanwhile, Colorado sealed their playoff place with a 2-0 victory over Toronto FC last weekend.
They are third in the table having lost just one of their last five MLS matches, and head coach Chris Armas says spirits are high ahead of their latest road game.
"We're excited for a lot of reasons right now," Armas said. "We've clinched a playoff spot; we've got another game coming up against a good team on the road.
"It's an opportunity to show that we can have a disciplined performance with a lot to play for. The energy in the team is very good, and confidence is high.
"We have our sights set on getting our position up in the playoffs to get that home game."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Minnesota United – Kelvin Yeboah
Kelvin Yeboah has scored in three straight regular-season matches, the sixth different Minnesota United player to record at least one three-game goalscoring streak.
No player in the team's history has scored in four straight league matches.
Colorado Rapids – Djordje Mihailovic
Djordje Mihailovic scored his 11th goal of the season on Saturday to go along with his 11 assists in 2024.
The only Rapids player to record more than 22 goal contributions in a single regular season was Diego Rubio (23) in 2022.
MATCH PREDICTION: MINNESOTA UNITED WIN
Minnesota have won seven of nine all-time home matches against Colorado in all competitions, including the last three in a row. The Loons have outscored the Rapids 8-2 over the current three-match run.
Minnesota have now won four of their last six regular-season matches (lost two) after a nine-game winless run from early June to mid-July (drawn two, lost seven).
The Loons, who beat Sporting Kansas City 2-0 last Saturday, have not kept consecutive regular season clean sheets since May 2023.
However, the Rapids have won nine of their last 13 regular season matches (drawn one, lost three), including four of the last five. Only LA Galaxy and Columbus Crew (10 each) have recorded more wins than the Rapids since that run began in mid-June.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Minnesota United – 42.1%
Draw – 26.7%
Colorado Rapids – 31.2%
Patrickson Delgado wants FC Dallas to take momentum from their 3-1 victory over Los Angeles FC as they aim to push for the playoffs.
Dallas face Orlando City at home on Saturday, and while the visitors look well set to go on and clinch a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, it is a different matter for the hosts in the West.
Minnesota United are five points clear of Dallas in the race for a playoff spot, with just four regular-season games remaining.
But midfielder Delgado is hopeful Dallas can get over the line.
"This victory will help us gain more momentum for the final games of the season," he said after the win over LAFC, as reported by Big D Soccer.
"Our goal is to make the playoffs, and we will not give up. We will play every game like a final and finish the season strong."
Alan Velasco, who has just returned from injury, impressed against LAFC, and interim coach Peter Luccin was thrilled with his display.
"We can see what talent Velasco can do on the field, we know that," he said.
"When we are putting all those quality players together, this is what happens. We scored three goals, we could've scored one or two more.
"It's good that those two players are coming back but at the same time, we need to manage our emotions. Everyone wants to see Alan play but he's coming back from a very serious injury, so we need to manage him well."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
FC Dallas - Logan Farrington
Farrington came off the bench to record a goal and an assist in Dallas' win over LAFC, his second game with a goal and an assist as a sub this season. Farrington is one of six players in MLS history to record multiple games with a goal and an assist off the bench in a single season.
Orlando City - Facundo Torres
Torres has contributed to at least one goal in four straight regular-season appearances, the third such streak of his career, including a five-match run in 2022-23.
He is the first Orlando City player to have three streaks of four or more consecutive games with a goal contribution.
MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW
Dallas have lost only one of seven all-time meetings with Orlando (W4 D2), though this will be the first match between the sides since May 2022.
Orlando have scored only two goals in the seven previous meetings between these teams.
Dallas have won eight of their last 11 regular season home matches (D1 L2) dating back to late April. Dallas have scored multiple goals in 10 of those 11 matches, netting three or more in five of them.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Dallas - 35.4%
Orlando City - 38.5%
Draw - 26%
Charlotte FC must embrace the challenge of facing the best team in MLS when they take on Inter Miami on Saturday.
That is the view of full-back Nathan Byrne, who this week penned a new contract with Dean Smith's team.
Charlotte head south this weekend to play Miami, who are in the hunt for the regular-season points record in MLS.
A win for Charlotte could see them clinch a playoff spot.
"If we want to win things this season, then you have to play against the best teams and the best players," he said.
"It's just another challenge and we are going to go into it with full confidence."
Reflecting on his new deal, Byrne said: "Charlotte is a place I have really enjoyed my football over the last two years, and there is no place I'd rather continue my career. We have a great group of guys that want to accomplish something special, and that begins now with this run-in to the playoffs."
Smith, meanwhile, wants to see a level of consistency from his side, after they snapped a six-game windless run in MLS by thrashing the New England Revolution 4-0 last time out.
"You're after consistency from your players," he added.
"I'd much rather have a seven out of 10 every week than a five one week and a nine the next. You want consistency because you can build on that and improve."
Miami are unbeaten in 13 league games, though they need to take 10 points from their last four matches to break the league's regular-season points record of 73, which was set by New England in 2021.
The Herons drew 1-1 against New York City FC last time out, with coach Gerardo Martino left to fume at the officiating.
"The team didn't lack anything, but the match lacked a good referee," said Martino after that game. "We had a good game, we should've won."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Inter Miami - Lionel Messi
Messi has scored at least one goal in eight of his last nine home matches for Inter Miami in all competitions, scoring 10 total goals in those games, including finding the net in each of his last three at Chase Stadium.
Charlotte FC - Patrick Agyemang
Agyemang came off the bench to record a goal and two assists in Charlotte's win over New England on Saturday.
He is the third player in MLS this season, and first ever for Charlotte, to record three goal contributions in a match as a substitute.
MATCH PREDICTION: INTER MIAMI WIN
For all his quality, Miami have won only one of the last five matches Messi has played dating back to late May (D3 L1). In the 13 matches Messi has missed in all competitions in that time, Miami have posted a record of W10 D0 L3.
However, Miami are unbeaten in three all-time home matches against Charlotte (W2 D1).
In fact, the only road win in the six all-time meetings between the sides was Miami's 2-1 victory at Charlotte on July 3 this year.
Charlotte ended an eight-match winless run in all competitions (D4 L4) with a 4-0 win over New England on Saturday. The four-goal win equalled Charlotte's largest-ever margin of victory along with a 5-1 win over the Richmond Kickers in the US Open Cup and a 4-0 league win over the Philadelphia Union, which both came in 2022.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Inter Miami - 59.9%
Charlotte - 19.1%
Draw - 21%
The hero’s welcome to St. Lucia for Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred has continued on Thursday with more great gestures honouring the 23-year-old’s historic achievements on the track in 2024.
Alfred, who became her country’s first Olympic medallist when she sped to gold in Paris in August, has now been named as the official ambassador for St. Lucia’s tourism.
As tourism ambassador, she will participate in promotional events for St. Lucia in key markets globally, alongside conducting media engagements and advertising initiatives to promote the island and its marketing campaigns.
She will also engage in social media campaigns to highlight tourism in St. Lucia. A key feature of this collaboration is the co-branding of the prominent St. Lucia logo on Alfred's competition and warm-up kits.
This partnership is expected to enhance the island's visibility and establish Alfred as a contemporary global ambassador for St. Lucia.
In addition to this, a mural of the 2023 Bowerman Award winner was also unveiled at her alma mater, Ciceron Primary School.
PUMA, who sponsors Alfred, has also pledged to provide footwear for all students of the school by 2025.
This all comes a day after the Government of St. Lucia announced September 27 as ‘Julien Alfred Day.’
Alfred returned to St. Lucia on Tuesday for the first time since her history-making performances in Paris.
In addition to the 100m gold, Alfred also took silver behind American Gabby Thomas in the 200m.
This came after earlier in the season when Alfred took home 60m gold at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow in March.
Alfred’s celebrations are set to continue until October 2.
Joanna Alfred is a proud mother, and it is clear for all to see.
But while she basks in the accomplishments of her daughter Julien Alfred and the recognition that comes with having a historic double Olympic medallist in the family, the senior Alfred used the opportunity to remind aspiring athletes that they too can become a national hero like her daughter.
“Yes, she is one of the biggest heroes today because of where she came from and where she started. And I also want children to learn from that and understand that it doesn't matter where you come from; you can still be where Julien Alfred is,” a beaming Joanna said as the island continues to celebrate her daughter's homecoming.
Having come from humble beginnings in Ciceron, situated in St Lucia’s capital Castries, Alfred honed her talent overtime and rose through the ranks on her way to copping an historic 100m gold and 200m silver at the Paris Olympic Games in August. Prior to that, she became the first St Lucian to win a World Indoor 60m title.
Those accomplishments followed an impressive NCAA campaign in which she copped the NCAA indoor 60m and 200m titles, as well as the outdoor honours over 100m and 200m. She was also the 2023 Bowerman Award winner, the prize given to the outstanding collegiate track and field athlete each year.
While the journey was by no means easy for either Alfred or her family, Joanna pointed to one thing in particular that assisted her daughter along the way –parental support.
“You can support your child. God will do the rest. So everything's going to fall into place,” she declared.
“They say it takes a village to raise a child, and indeed it does because if I didn't have the support of at least Twa Ti Ney [Julien’s local coach, Cuthbert Modeste] when her father passed, he became the father figure in this young lady’s life, then again I would have to struggle, so it took a village to raise a child as well,” Joanna shared.
Beyond the background support, Joanna pointed out that Alfred’s grit, determination, and unflinching desire to become a successful athlete were the foundation on which she rose to prominence and inevitably became the sprint queen of the island with a population of just about 180,000 people.
“It was not the food on her plate but the food in her mind that really encouraged her because even when she faced situations, the food in her mind really encouraged her to be where she is,” Joanna declared.
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