Peter Luccin has likened training to a “new environment” as FC Dallas’ break from action has given a chance for injured players to return ahead of their clash with D.C. United.
Dallas fell to a disappointing group stage exit in the Leagues Cup but it could be a blessing in disguise for interim coach Luccin as it has allowed rest for an injury-hit squad.
Jesus Ferreira, Asier Illarramendi and Alan Vesco have all returned to action during the break.
Luccin feels those comebacks have sparked a change in attitude among his squad on the training ground.
“To have all of those players back is very important for us. That practice environment is good because everybody is pushing more, everybody wants to play,” he said. “All that new environment for us is beautiful. It's very good.”
Dallas' renewed impetus will also be aided by two new arrivals, right-back Ruan and midfielder Manuel Cafumana, who join Luccin’s roster.
Both sides remain within reach of the play-off positions in their respective leagues but Dallas will have to overturn pre-season form to earn all three points.
United claimed victory in a friendly in February, but Luccin is unfazed by their past encounter.
“A preseason game is totally different. You know the intensity isn’t the same. Everyone is coming and playing with heavier legs and there are no fans in the stadium,” insisted Luccin.
“We didn’t even talk about that game. I’m more concerned about what they did in their last three or four games.”
The Black-and-Red fared little better than Dallas in the Leagues Cup, losing in the round of 32 to Mazatlan. Prior to that, they had just secured their first two wins after going winless for eleven games.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
DC United – Christian Benteke
The Belgian striker is United’s top scorer this season with 16 goals to his name, 13 more than any of his team-mates.
He has scored seven headed goals this season, tied with Cristian Arango for the most in MLS in 2024.
Dallas – Petar Musa
Petar Musa has scored in each of his last four MLS appearances. The only FC Dallas player to score in five straight league matches in a single regular season since 2010 was Paul Arriola in 2022.
MATCH PREDICTION: DC UNITED WIN
Dallas are winless in 12 regular-season away matches in 2024 (D4 L8), the longest run without a win on the road in the club’s history. Along with St. Louis City SC, they are one of two teams without an away win this regular season.
In contrast to Dallas’ poor form, D.C. United recorded their first set of consecutive wins in a single regular season since a three-match winning run in April 2023 with their two recent wins. D.C. had won only two of their previous 17 regular-season matches before that.
This will be United’s first home match against FC Dallas since October 2018. D.C. won the last meeting between the sides, 1-0, in Dallas in 2023 but have not won consecutive regular-season matches against Dallas since 1999—2000 (three straight).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
DC United – 38.7%
Draw – 26.5%
Dallas – 34.7%
Oscar Pareja said allowing his Orlando City players to rest after their exit from the Leagues Cup was crucial ahead of resuming their MLS season against Sporting Kansas City this weekend.
The Lions were knocked out by Cruz Azul in the last 32 of the competition, losing in a penalty shootout at the Inter&Co Stadium following a goalless draw in normal time.
They return to league action having gone into the break five games unbeaten, sitting seventh in the Eastern Conference table heading into the final fixtures of the campaign.
And Pareja is confident that their two-week break will have his side fit and firing for the business end of the season.
“We definitely have put in two weeks of hard work, but at the beginning of the first week we tried to rest a couple of our players,” Pareja said.
“After the amount of games we had, it was healthy for us to recover some of our players and then the rest of the time we have dedicated our time to recovering for our next games.”
Kansas City were also knocked out of the Leagues Cup at the last 32 stage, comfortably beaten by Columbus Crew, who play Los Angeles FC in the showpiece match this weekend.
They resume their league season sitting in 12th place in the Western Conference table, triumphing in two of their final four fixtures (D1 L1) before the break and closing the gap to FC Dallas.
Despite their heavy defeat in the Leagues Cup to the Crew, head coach Peter Vermes was able to pinpoint areas in which his side could improve upon their MLS return.
“I thought we did a really good job,” Vermes said of the team’s first period. “I thought tactically and work ethic-wise, we were very good.
"We didn’t provide them with a lot of options to play. A lot of balls went wide, and we forced them backward. I thought we did a great job of that.”
“We over-committed to one side, especially in our midfield,” Vermes said. “We didn’t have any pressure on the ball, and it was an easy run in behind us.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Kansas City – Willy Agada
Kansas’ leading marksman, Willy Agada, has five goals in his last seven appearances in all competitions, and he will be key to breaking Orlando’s winning run.
His strike against St. Louis City last time out was his 20th goal in the MLS since his move from Hapoel Jerusalem in 2022, reaching that tally in 51 appearances.
Orlando City – Martin Ojeda
Ojeda has contributed to a goal in each of his last six MLS appearances, equalling the longest single-season streak by an Orlando player.
This will be the Argentine’s first appearance against Kansas, and he will be looking to add to his 12 goal involvements in all competitions upon his return to league action.
MATCH PREDICTION: ORLANDO WIN
Orlando have won four of their last five regular season matches before the Leagues Cup break, with no team collecting more points than the Lions’ 13 in July, while they also led the MLS in goals scored (14) and were tied for the fewest conceded (three) last month.
Kansas City has won four of their last five home matches against MLS opposition in all competitions (D1), including a 2-1 win over Chicago in the Leagues Cup last month.
The last six meetings between the two sides have been split with each team winning twice and drawing twice. All four wins in that time were by one-goal margins, so expect a tightly contested affair at Children's Mercy Park.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Kansas City – 33.2%
Draw – 25.6%
Orlando City – 41.2%
Jamaican Olympian Junelle Bromfield has bravely spoken out about the online abuse she has been enduring, largely stemming from her relationship with American sprinter and Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles.
The couple, who have been together for several years, have faced scrutiny, particularly from some Jamaicans, after Lyles mentioned in a podcast interview that Bromfield occasionally shares updates with him about developments involving her fellow Jamaican athletes.
The revelation sparked a wave of cyberbullying directed at Bromfield, leading her to address the issue publicly on Instagram. In a powerful post, Bromfield shared the painful experiences she has faced, both growing up and in recent weeks.
"I grew up hearing black is not beautiful, your hair is dry, your mouth is too big, your forehead too high, and when you throw all those insults behind you and start walking with confidence, the best compliment you get is 'you're pretty for a black girl,'" Bromfield wrote.
"I honestly thought we were past colorism in Jamaica, especially as a nation that is filled with black people. I have been getting cyberbullied for weeks, and when it gets talked about, I’m a liar because no Jamaican was coming for my features."
Bromfield continued by offering a message of encouragement to others who may be facing similar challenges. "I could go off ranting, but I’m just here to tell all the girls/women on my profile that you’re beautiful no matter your shade, shape, or size, and for the little black girls, don’t wait on anybody to tell you that you’re beautiful to believe it."
Lyles, who has been vocal in his support for Bromfield, took to Instagram to defend his girlfriend and highlight her strength and resilience. "I just want to say how incredibly proud I am of my GF and give her the flowers she deserves now ?," Lyles wrote in a heartfelt post. "She has been through so much in her life that I could never imagine fighting through."
Lyles, 27, expressed his admiration for how Bromfield has handled the negativity directed at her, particularly from people in her own country. "Beyond that, she is a survivor, 2x Olympian, Olympic medalist, multi-world championship medalist, and has been representing Jamaica on the world stage since she was 8 years old," he noted.
He also condemned the vitriol Bromfield has faced, adding, "This woman has been attacked by people who have never met her, heard her name before, never seen her smile, or heard what she believes in. But she keeps moving forward knowing that God will always make a way. That’s why God keeps blessing her!"
Jamaica’s Kaheim Dixon officially joined Charlton Athletic on a four-year contract, as he was unveiled by the League One club on Friday.
Dixon is now Nathan Jones' eighth summer signing and will wear the number 13 jersey at the London-based club, much like he did at Clarendon College.
The talented winger, who was instrumental in Clarendon College’s two titles in last season’s ISSA schoolboys’ football competition, scoring 32 goals complemented by 17 assists, continued to make a name for himself with Jamaica Premier League (JPL) club Arnett Gardens before eventually breaking into the senior Reggae Boyz setup.
Dixon, 19, was first identified by Charlton Athletic through their partner, Mount Pleasant Football Academy, after which his move from Arnett Gardens, for an undisclosed fee, was then assisted by Charlton Athletic’s strong ties to the Reggae Boyz, according to a release on the club’s website.
This, as Dixon’s Reggae Boy teammate Karoy Anderson is a current member of the club, while another Reggae Boy, Michael Hector, recently left after his contract expired.
Dixon, who has two goals in eight appearances for the Reggae Boyz, expressed delight at his move.
“I’m very happy to be here. My first opportunity to go professional is to be at the Addicks. It’s been very good to see Karoy [Anderson], another teammate from my country. I can’t wait to start playing with him,” he said.
Charlton Athletic have won both League One games played so far this season against Wigan Athletic and Leyton Orient and sit fourth in the table.
They host Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, where Dixon could possibly make a debut appearance.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Miscellaneous Police FC opened their Concacaf Caribbean Cup debut campaign with a 1-1 stalemate against Haitian club Real Hope FA at Sabina Park in Kingston, on Thursday.
Angelo Exilus (35th) was on target for Real Hope FA, who are making third appearance in the Caribbean Cup, while Kwesi Allen (87th) secured Police FC a share of the spoils.
With the point, both teams sit behind Jamaican outfit Cavalier FC (three points) in Group A, while the other Jamaican teams, Mount Pleasant FA and Arnett Gardens, who will meet at the same venue on Tuesday, are yet to get off the mark.
After a fairly tentative start, Real Hope gradually gained the ascendancy, as they pushed for the opening goal, which eventually came when Exilus drove home a right-footer from deep inside the 18-yard box.
Police FC came to life soon after and almost pulled level in the 39th, but Kevon Woodley’s header went over the crossbar.
Woodley again went close in the latter stages of the first half, but another firm header was swallowed up by Real Hope’s goalkeeper, Gooly Elien, who was well-positioned to ensure his team remained 1-0 up at the break.
Like they did at the start, Real Hope again showed more purpose early on the resumption, with Exilus again getting on target, but his effort was blocked by Adrian Foncette in goal for Police FC on this occasion. Rapha Intervil pounced on the rebound but his effort was also charged down by Ross Russell Jr.
Real Hope continued their probe to add to their tally and almost did in the 62nd, but Yveto Dort's well-struck effort from just outside the box went just wide of the left upright.
Police FC eventually pulled level when Allen produced a stunning diving effort to head home a service from Elijah Belgrave three minutes from time.
Miscellaneous Police FC’s next assignment will be against Cavalier at Sabina Park next Thursday, while Real Hope’s next assignment will also be against Cavalier FC on September 17 at the same venue.
While news has circulated that Mount Pleasant FA has parted ways with Harold Thomas and has started negotiations for the return of Theodore ‘Tappa’ Whitmore and his staff, one such member, Davion Ferguson, has dispelled the rumours about his return to the St Ann club.
Unconfirmed reports are that Thomas and his staff, who were brought in to replace Whitmore's staff at the end of last season, have since been dismissed after only one game in charge –a 2-0 loss to Cavalier in the Concacaf Caribbean Cup at Sabina Park on Tuesday.
It has also been widely circulated that Whitmore and his coaching staff, which led the St Ann-based club to its first ever Jamaica Premier League (JPL) title in the 2022-23 season and lost last season’s final to Cavalier in a penalty shootout, could make a return to take the reins.
Efforts to get confirmation from Mount Pleasant’s management proved futile. However, Ferguson, who was Whitemore’s assistant, rubbished the claims on his part.
Ferguson, rated as one of the brightest young tacticians in the region, was recently contracted by Portmore United ahead of the upcoming JPL season.
“I am currently on my way to Portmore United’s training now, so I don’t know where they got that news from because I am contracted to Portmore United, and as far as I know, I am still the coach of Portmore United,” Ferguson told SportsMax.Tv.
Cricket West Indies (CWI) will hold an election for the Vice President on September 20, 2024. This follows the recent judicial decision from the High Court of Guyana regarding the Vice President's election, which has led to Mr. Azim Bassarath vacating the position.
At the close of nominations, Mr. Bassarath is the sole candidate, having been nominated by the Jamaica Cricket Association and Leeward Islands Cricket Board. The nominations were circulated as customary, and every territorial board, which constitutes the shareholders, was adequately notified. CWI is being guided by its Articles of Association in conducting this election to ensure the process is handled with the highest standards of democratic principles and transparency.
The upcoming election will provide a timely resolution to the current vacancy of the Office of the Vice President and reinforce CWI’s commitment to fair governance.
The organization looks forward to the completion of this robust and transparent electoral process while continuing its efforts to advance the sport of cricket across the region.
Another batting masterclass from captain Hayley Matthews saw Barbados Royals overcome Trinbago Knight Riders in the second match of the 2024 Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad.
After her decisive innings of 61 not out against Guyana Amazon Warriors in the first game of the competition on Wednesday, Matthews showed again why she is one of the best in the world in the white ball format. The in-form opener struck twelve boundaries to finish unbeaten on 67 off 56 balls to see her side complete a comfortable seven wicket victory with 17 balls to spare.
Matthews started the evening well and never looked back. She won the toss for the second night in a row and chose to insert the opposition, her decision vindicated with the very first ball of the match as Chinelle Henry bowled Knight Riders opener Kycia Knight.
It was a sign of things to come as a procession of wickets fell soon after. The Knight Riders total of 113/9 never looked enough to challenge the Royals stellar batting card and so it proved when Matthews hit the winning four off Shikha Pandey from the first ball of the 18th over. The 2023 champions have two wins from two games and look the team to beat in the early stages of this year’s WCPL.
The Royals obliterated the Knight Riders top order to leave them reeling on 57/6 at the halfway stage in the innings and it was thanks to Shikha Pandey and Zaida James that the Knight Riders reached the total that they did. A partnership of exactly 50 runs off 47 deliveries for the seventh wicket helped Deandra Dottin’s side bat out their allotted overs and post a total of 113/9.
Pandey, in particular played, well, top scoring for her side with 30 runs, her deft cuts and manipulation of the ball into the gaps was impressive in the face of tight bowling.
Matthews took a fine diving catch in the outfield and topped off a sparkling Player of the Match performance by bowling both Zaida James and Jazhara Claxton to take 2-21 with the ball.
For the second match in a row the Royals bowlers impressed and shared the wickets around, Henry, Matthews and Wellington all picking up two wickets apiece and Qiana Joseph and Aaliyah Alleyne pocketing one each. The Barbados side are firing in all departments.
Inter Miami forward Matias Rojas says Lionel Messi continues to have an influence on the side even while out injured, as they prepare for Saturday's huge top-of-the-table tussle with FC Cincinnati.
Having gone out of the Leagues Cup at the last-16 stage, Eastern Conference leaders Miami return to MLS action against a team currently one place and five points behind them.
They will be without Messi for the match, however, with next week's clash with the Chicago Fire seen as his earliest possible return date after he was injured in Argentina's Copa America final victory.
Rojas, who was brought in ahead of the 2024 season and has four league goals for Miami to date, says Messi does not switch off when out of action, however.
"Leo is always there. He watches everything and he talks to us before games," the Paraguayan said.
"He communicates more with those who can speak Spanish, he pays attention to what is happening, and he gives his opinion.
"We are proud to be there, enjoying these moments with him. Sometimes I talk to my family to realise what is happening, but as I always say, I will not get tired of saying that we share our days with the best player in the history of football.
"There are no words to describe what I feel every day."
With Cincinnati playing catch-up in the bid to be top seeds, coach Pat Noonan knows they cannot afford to be beaten at Chase Stadium.
"As far as the importance of it goes, with us being behind Miami, the significance of a result is certainly important for the end of the season," Noonan said.
"We're trying to be at home in the playoffs. Right now we're five points behind and trying to close that gap. It'll certainly be challenging to catch them if we don't get a result."
Cincinnati trounced Miami 6-1 on home soil when the teams last met in July, though Gerardo Martino's men were without several key players for that game, and Noonan expects a very different challenge this time around.
"It'll be completely different to our last matchup," Noonan said. "There's six different guys that could be on the field that weren't out there."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Inter Miami – Luis Suarez
Miami have averaged 2.8 goals per regular-season game in 2024 when Messi has appeared, compared to 1.7 without the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner.
Suarez's 12 goals in MLS this year are as many as Messi has managed, and he also scored twice in four Leagues Cup matches during the mid-season break. He will carry the Herons' foremost threat.
FC Cincinnati – Luciano Acosta
In Messi's absence, perhaps another Argentine can take centre-stage.
Acosta has a league-high 29 goal contributions this season (11 goals, 18 assists) after posting 31 last season en route to the MVP award.
He is one goal contribution away from becoming the fourth player in MLS history to record multiple seasons with 30 or more goal contributions.
MATCH PREDICTION: INTER MIAMI WIN
Inter Miami won their first four matches against Cincinnati between 2020 and 2021, only to lose four of five against them in MLS since the start of the 2022 season (one draw), including the last three in a row.
However, the Herons have won five straight home matches in all competitions, scoring multiple goals in each of those victories.
This is their joint longest home winning streak in all competitions in club history, having also won five in a row between July and September 2021.
Miami have also scored 56 goals in 25 regular-season matches this term, and have won as many games without Messi appearing as they have with him (eight).
Cincinnati lost their last away match to the New York Red Bulls on July 20 by a 3-1 scoreline. They have not lost back-to-back road games in all competitions in over two years, since an eight-match losing streak that spanned the end of 2021 and the start of 2022.
However, they enter Saturday's match as outsiders, with Miami doing a decent job of coping without Messi this term.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Inter Miami – 48.7%
FC Cincinnati – 25.5%
Draw – 25.7%
Marco Reus is available to make his debut for LA Galaxy as they look to consolidate their place at the top of the Western Conference when they take on Atlanta United.
The 35-year-old's signing until the end of the 2026 MLS season was confirmed last week after he brought the curtain down on a 12-year spell at Borussia Dortmund
Despite leaving Europe, Reus still holds ambitions of lifting silverware in the United States, with the Galaxy in a promising position as MLS returns following a break for the Leagues Cup.
The Galaxy are top of the Western Conference on 49 points, four behind East leaders Inter Miami in the race for the Supporters' Shield.
In his introductory press conference, Reus said: "I'm here to help the team and to win championships. So that's the reason you play football. And of course that’s the reason why I’m here.
"The goal is for the club to win the championship and be successful. It's been 10 years since we won the championship, the time is now and I'm ready, I think the team is ready, so we're ready."
Reus joins an attack that has already scored 50 goals this season, the third most of any MLS side, and the Galaxy will hope his signing further galvanises their trophy bid as they aim to move on from their disappointing defeat to the Seattle Sounders in the Leagues Cup.
Saturday's opponents, Atlanta United, also suffered an early exit from that competition, and they will hope a good showing can set the tone for a strong run-in.
Atlanta have not played in nearly three weeks, but veteran goalkeeper Brad Guzan welcomed the break in terms of providing both a physical and mental reset, as the Five Stripes approach the last nine matches of the regular season.
The ex-Aston Villa man said: "For us, it's been a time to hit the reset button and really look at things.
"We have been able to use it to our advantage. We understand the necessity to get points. We understand the urgency."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
LA Galaxy – Gabriel Pec
Reus may be the new attraction, but Gabriel Pec has contributed to a goal in a Galaxy-record 11 straight regular-season home matches.
He has been involved in 17 goals (9 goals, 8 assists) in 13 home matches this season as only Lionel Messi (19) has more goal involvements in regular-season home matches in MLS in 2024.
Atlanta United – Saba Lobjanidze
Saba Lobjanidze (one goal, three assists) has been involved in each of Atlanta's last four regular-season goals.
His last two assists, both against the Columbus Crew on July 20, came off corners after he had not recorded an assist off a corner in his first 29 career MLS matches.
MATCH PREDICTION: LA GALAXY WIN
The Galaxy have won nine of their last 12 regular season matches (L3) dating back to late May. This is the first time LA have won nine times in a span of 12 league games since July-September 2014, the Galaxy's last MLS Cup-winning season.
Atlanta, meanwhile, have lost three straight regular-season road matches for the first time since April 2022. It has been five years since the Five Stripes had a longer league losing streak on the road, losing six in a row on their travels in May-July 2019.
The Galaxy earned their first points against Atlanta the last time the sides met, winning 2-0 at home in July 2022. Atlanta had won the first three meetings between the sides by a combined score of 9-0.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
LA Galaxy - 50.0%
Draw - 25.3%
Atlanta United - 24.8%
Caleb Porter has likened the final games of the season to cup finals, as New England Revolution prepare to return to action against CF Montreal.
The Revs have had a three-week break ahead after suffering a heartbreaking penalty shoot-out defeat to New York City FC in the Leagues Cup round of 32.
After a slow start to the season, New England sit bottom of the Eastern Conference, though are only five points behind Atlanta United in ninth.
And Porter believes his refreshed team have what it takes to challenge for the playoffs if they can string together a winning run.
"Every game is a cup final, these last 11," Porter said. "We're going to go for it.
"Obviously, our goal is to take it one at a time and win every game. We don't need to win every game to probably get in, but that's going to be our mindset.
"If we can win our home games, and then win half the road games, then I think we'll be in good shape."
Meanwhile, Montreal were also knocked out of the Leagues Cup in the round of 32, suffering a 2-0 defeat to the Philadelphia Union.
They resume their MLS campaign in a strong position, sitting fifth in the table, but have had problems in the build-up to this game after a public falling-out between head coach Laurent Courtois and striker Josef Martinez.
Courtois said he felt "betrayed" by the Venezuelan after he refused to take part in training, but Montreal president Gabriel Gervais says the problem has now been dealt with.
"This case is closed," he said. "For me, it's non-negotiable. Someone who is not disciplined cannot be here."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
CF Montreal – Josef Martinez
Josef Martínez has scored eight regular-season goals against New England, tied for his most against any MLS opponent (also eight vs. D.C. United and Orlando City).
New England Revolution – Carles Gil
Carles Gil has been involved in a goal in each of his last four regular-season MLS matches (one goal, four assists).
The Spaniard's longest streak of consecutive regular-season matches with a goal contribution is five straight, done three times, most recently in 2022.
MATCH PREDICTION: CF MONTREAL WIN
Montreal have won three of their last four home matches against New England, keeping clean sheets in all three wins. Montreal had won three of their previous 16 matches against the Revs (drawing one, losing 12), managing just two clean sheets in those games.
In fact, Montreal have lost only one of their last nine home matches in all competitions (four wins, four draws) with the lone defeat coming against Toronto FC on July 20. No American team has won at Stade Saputo since Columbus on May 15.
Meanwhile, New England are unbeaten in four straight matches in all competitions (won one, drawn three, including a penalty shoot-out loss in the Leagues Cup Round of 32), equaling their longest run of the season. The Revs' last longer unbeaten run was a six-match stretch that spanned last year's Leagues Cup.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
CF Montreal – 43.4%
Draw – 26.7%
New England Revolution – 29.9%
Phil Neville believes Portland Timbers can use their recent defeats as motivation in the second half of the season, starting with St. Louis City.
The Timbers' Leagues Cup run came to an end against Saturday's opponents, losing 3-1 in the round of 32 nearly three weeks ago.
They were in good form in MLS before that, and sit eighth in the Western Conference, but lost their last league game 3-2 against LA Galaxy before the break.
Now, Neville is targeting a strong finish to the regular season.
"In life sometimes you get a jolt or a little reminder of the work that needs to be done, and we got that," Neville said.
"We've had a lot of plaudits and people saying good things about us, but our last result was a wake-up call to the work we still need to do to be successful in this league.
"We've got nine games left in the season, and we need the mentality to win these games."
After knocking out the Timbers, St. Louis were left disappointed in the quarter-final of the Leagues Cup following a 4-2 defeat to Club America.
They return to MLS action sitting 13th in the table, 10 points off the playoff places, and interim head coach John Hackworth is hopeful they can take the positives from their Cup run into the second half of the season.
"There are little details that slip, and we let guys have too much time on the ball, don't get matched up in the box, don't recover in the right way," Hackworth said.
"Those are things that teams can learn to do for sure. We can create really great chances and have lots of positives to take away from games."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Portland Timbers – Evander
Evander has recorded a goal contribution in each of his last six regular-season appearances. The only longer streak in Timbers' history was a nine-match run with a goal contribution by Diego Valeri in 2017.
St. Louis City – Roman Burki
St. Louis have managed just three wins in their last 30 MLS road games in all competitions and are winless in each of their last 15, dating back to last October (six draws, nine losses).
They have failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last seven such matches, and if Roman Burki is able to get a clean sheet, he may be able to help them end that streak.
MATCH PREDICTION: PORTLAND TIMBERS WIN
St. Louis defeated the Timbers 3-1 in the Leagues Cup Round of 32 at home on August 9. It was the first home win by either team against the other in four all-time meetings.
Portland have scored at least twice in an MLS-high 19 of their 25 matches this regular season, including the last seven in a row. The Timbers have scored two or more goals 20 or more times in an MLS season just once before, doing so in 2014 (21 times).
Meanwhile, St. Louis have managed just one win in their last 14 regular-season matches (four draws, nine losses), a 2-0 victory over league-worst San Jose Earthquakes in July.
In fact, since that run began in mid-May, San Jose (four) are the only team that have collected fewer points than St. Louis City (seven).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Portland Timbers – 51.5%
Draw – 24.7%
St. Louis City – 23.8%
John Herdman hopes a short break from action allowed Toronto FC an "emotional reset" and the chance to build chemistry ahead of Saturday's return to MLS play at the Houston Dynamo.
Toronto reached the first knockout stage of the Leagues Cup but were beaten 4-3 by Inter Miami in a thrilling tie on August 9, giving them over two weeks to prepare for their next game.
With Toronto currently occupying a play-in spot in the Eastern Conference, Herdman hopes they can use that match as a learning experience ahead of the run-in.
"We've had a good crack at it. Miami will always be some way around the finals," Herdman said, reflecting on the Reds' Leagues Cup run.
"It's a good lesson for us because if you want to make the playoffs, these are the teams you have to learn to beat.
"Now it's about work. We've had a chance to really bring this team together. It's a chance to build chemistry, to have an emotional reset ahead of the MLS playoff push, with some big games coming up."
Houston went out at the same stage, losing on penalties following a 2-2 draw with Toluca.
They also harbour postseason dreams, sitting sixth in the Western Conference but just one point clear of the play-in spots, and coach Ben Olsen is keen for them to kick on.
"We'll try to get better and continue to push the group," Olsen said.
"Now we just have one tournament left, and hopefully it's all about doing what we can to put ourselves in a good spot towards the latter stages of the league."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Houston Dynamo – Ibrahim Aliyu
Aliyu has six goals and four assists for Houston in MLS this season, with his overall tally of 10 goal contributions two more than any of his team-mates have managed (Amine Bassi and Sebastian Ferreira have eight apiece).
Toronto FC – Federico Bernardeschi
Excluding own goals, 22 of the last 23 regular-season goals Toronto have scored dating back to late April have featured a goal contribution by at least one of the Italian trio of Federico Bernardeschi, Lorenzo Insigne or Raoul Petretta.
Bernardeschi has recorded more goal involvements (12, eight goals and four assists) and created more chances (54) than any other Toronto player this term.
MATCH PREDICTION – HOUSTON DYNAMO WIN
This will be the first meeting between Toronto and the Dynamo in Houston since April 2018, with Saturday's hosts unbeaten in their last seven home matches against the Reds (two wins, five draws) dating back to 2011.
Houston have only lost four regular-season home matches since the start of the 2023 MLS season, the second-fewest in the league in that time (behind the Columbus Crew, two).
They are also unbeaten in their last six regular-season matches at Shell Energy Stadium (two wins, four draws), making them favourites to beat a Toronto team who have not won consecutive regular-season road games since July 2021.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Houston Dynamo – 64.8%
Toronto FC – 16.3%
Draw – 18.9%
The West Indies T20 outfit will get their first opportunity to compete since their Super Eight exit at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in June when they take on South Africa in the first of three T20 Internationals at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba on Friday.
In what promises to be a competitive series, the hosts will be looking for revenge against the team that knocked them out of their home tournament with a three-wicket win via the DLS method in Antigua in their final Super Eight match on June 23.
South Africa eventually got all the way to the final before narrowly losing to India.
West Indies skipper Rovman Powell likes the chemistry he’s seen from his group during their preparation for the upcoming series.
“I think it’s very good. It’s the first series since the World Cup so it’s an important one in the sense that we have to get back on track as a T20 team and I think so far, so good,” he said in a pre-match interview on Thursday.
The squad for the series comprises 12 of the 15 players that represented the region in the World Cup with Powell emphasizing keeping the core of the squad together with one eye on the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
Alick Athanaze, Fabian Allen and Matthew Forde are the three new members of the squad, replacing Brandon King, Alzarri Joseph and Andre Russell.
“We try our best as a selection group to keep it as close as possible to those guys in the World Cup looking forward to 2026,” Powell said.
“It’s also an opportunity for us to see other players like Alick (Athanaze), Fabian (Allen), Matthew (Forde) that we identified. Hopefully, once given the opportunity, they can grasp it with both hands,” he added.
Speaking about the team’s performance at the World Cup, Powell found some positives despite exiting the tournament earlier than they had hoped.
“I think we played good cricket. We had a clean slate right through the preliminary stage and faltered in the quarterfinals. I think we showed that we are a quality unit and if we prepare well and have the right plans, we can be successful at the international level,” he said.
With the West Indies currently sitting fourth in the ICC rankings, Powell also spoke about where the team wants to be at the end of 2025. Is it a case of wanting to just be high in the rankings or playing good cricket?
“I think it’s a mixture of both. Gone are the days when you played series just to play them. You use these series as building blocks and nothing is more important than winning. Once you win games you improve your ranking in the ICC standings and also guys become more familiar with roles and more encouraged to play for West Indies because the atmosphere and environment is a winning one,” he said.
“People want to associate themselves with winners so this is a building block for 2026. It might seem a long way away but we just need to continue to play good cricket series by series,” he added.
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