St. Louis City interim head coach John Hackworth is aiming to learn from mistakes made in their last meeting with the Vancouver Whitecaps now they are back on home soil.
St. Louis have won just one of their last 11 matches in MLS – 2-0 at home in Hackworth's first game in charge, with their 4-3 defeat to Vancouver prior to that, leading to Bradley Carnell's departure.
They currently sit 12th in the Western Conference on 22 points, eight behind the playoffs, and Hackworth is focusing on making sure the team do not lose their concentration in the closing stages.
"If we can finish stronger than we start, that's the focus," said Hackworth. "At home, we want to put a complete performance together.
"It's easy for me to say that if we'd finished stronger [last time out against Vancouver], we could've got something.
"So, that's our goal for our performance. Specifically, be better in the last 20 minutes, and we have a chance to be successful."
Meanwhile, Vancouver are now unbeaten in three matches, a run that started in the reverse fixture.
Sitting sixth in the table, head coach Vanni Sartini is looking to go into the upcoming break with the team in an even stronger position.
"St. Louis will be really important," he said. "We have three games before the break for the Leagues Cup and getting a positive record in these three games, five or more points, is important.
"Starting in St. Louis would be great. For sure, they'll want to avenge the fact that we beat them.
"They have a new coach, so it'll be hard, but from what I've seen from our team in the last couple of weeks, we have what it takes to win."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
St. Louis City – John Klein
John Klein scored his first MLS goal in St. Louis City's defeat in Colorado on Sunday, becoming the 15th different goalscorer for the club this season, tied for the most different scorers in MLS this year (Sporting Kansas City).
Vancouver Whitecaps – Brian White
Brian White has scored five goals in three matches against St. Louis City, his most against any MLS opponent in regular-season play.
The only players to score more goals against a single opponent since St. Louis joined MLS last season are Facundo Torres (six) against the Chicago Fire and Teemu Pukki (six) vs LA Galaxy.
MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW
The home side has won all three meetings between these sides, with Vancouver winning the last two meetings at BC Place after St. Louis won the first match at home in May 2023. The winning side has scored at least three times in all the games.
St. Louis won their last home match, 2-0, over San Jose Earthquakes on July 3, the club's fourth home win of the regular season. St. Louis' only back-to-back home wins this year came against Austin and Chicago in April-May.
Meanwhile, the Whitecaps are unbeaten in three straight regular-season matches (won two, drawn one), a run that began with a 4-3 win over St. Louis on June 29. This equals Vancouver's longest unbeaten run in league play this season (three straight in April-May).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
St. Louis City – 36.9%
Draw – 26.3%
Vancouver Whitecaps – 36.8%
Seattle Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer has praised his side’s resilience in coming back from a poor run of results to go five games unbeaten in the MLS.
The Sounders travel to the Q2 Stadium this weekend to face Austin FC, hoping to continue their winning streak and move further up the Western Conference table.
Schmetzer’s side currently sit in seventh place in the standings and booked their place in the semi-finals of the US Open Cup following a 2-1 victory over Sacramento Republic last time out.
The head coach was able to detail the reasoning behind his side’s upturn in fortunes in recent weeks, going on to say the players within the group have changed their mindset as part of their new-found success.
Schmetzer said: "I have seen goal production; I have seen a little bit of a rebound just in the mindset of the entire group.
“It has always been a pretty resilient group, but I think they are also a proud group, and I don’t think they were happy in the place that they were a month ago.
“They started to dig, so it’s a combination of things.”
Austin also come into the encounter following an impressive victory against New York City FC last time out, coming from a goal down to claim their eighth win of the season.
Josh Wolff’s side sit right on the play-off line in the Western Conference table, currently occupying ninth place on 30 points but have Minnesota United breathing down their necks.
The Verde and Black head coach acknowledged the challenges that await his side as the season reached its conclusion, but lauded his players and staffs efforts for coming through a difficult period having suffered several injuries within their squad.
“Obviously, the pressure will build with each game whether you take points, or you don’t, but if I am being honest, I am very pleased with our group’s efforts to get to this position and be inside the play-off line,” Wolff said.
“We are four points from being higher and four or five points from being in a much lower spot, but that is what the Western Conference is.
“The ability from our high performance and technical staff to keep these guys healthy and in a good space, in some games we had four subs, and we knew we were going to have tough times.
“But the guys, to be able to get results home and away to put us in a position now after the Leagues Cup, the season will go quickly. We have a big week ahead of us and it starts with Seattle.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Austin FC – Gyasi Zardes
Gyasi Zardes was the man of the moment for Austin in their comeback victory against NYCFC, ending his streak of 28 MLS games without a goal.
His previous longest goal drought came between 2016 and 2017 when he was playing for LA Galaxy, going 18 games without finding the back of the net. His brace will surely give him confidence heading into the encounter.
Seattle Sounders – Albert Rusnak
Albert Rusnak’s growing influence within the Seattle Sounders side continues to grow, notching a goal and an assist in their 2-1 triumph over New England in their last MLS fixture.
Rusnak has either scored or assisted in seven of Seattle’s last eight goals (four goals, three assists). Prior to this rich run of form, the Slovakian had managed just seven goal contributions in the MLS prior to June 19 (one goal, six assists).
MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW
Both sides come into the contest off the back of impressive MLS victories, but it is the Sounders who hold the edge when looking at their record at the Q2 Stadium.
Seattle are unbeaten in three all-time visits to Austin (W2 D1), one of two teams (Colorado Rapids) to visit Austin three times without ever losing.
But Austin showed their powers of recovery once again in their victory over NYCFC. Having fallen behind in the fifth minute. However, it was the 14th time they have conceded the first goal in a game this season, tied with Inter Miami and Chicago Fire.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Austin FC – 39.4%
Draw – 26.6%
Seattle Sounders – 34.1%
Guyana and the Leeward Islands will contest the CWI Rising Stars Under-19 Women’s T20 Championship at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on Saturday after the conclusion of the tournament’s fifth round on Thursday.
At the same venue on Thursday, the Leewards secured a seven-run win over Jamaica via the DLS method.
The Leewards first posted 124-6 from their 20 overs after being put in to bat by the Jamaicans. Captain Jahzara Claxton led the way with 29 while Sainvani Kambalapalli made 22 and Kimberley Anthony made 20.
Brianna Plummer, Abigail Bryce and Aneisha Miller each took two wickets for Jamaica.
At the time of the rain delay, Jamaica were 55-3 off 10.4 overs, seven runs short of the DLS par score.
At the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground, Guyana, who booked their spot in the final thanks to wins in the first four rounds, suffered a narrow two-wicket loss to the Windward Islands in round five.
The Guyanese were bundled out for just 60 in 18 overs after winning the toss. Nesha Alexander was the pick of the Windwards bowlers with 4-8 from her four overs while Selena Ross took 3-8 off three overs in support.
The Windwards then hade a tough time of it in their chase, needing 18.3 overs to reach 61-8.
Denella Creese led the way with 25 as Trisha Hardat and Nyia Latchman tried their best with the ball for Guyana.
Hardat took 2-2 from two overs while Latchman took 2-6 from her four overs.
The other round five fixture saw Barbados defeat Trinidad & Tobago by 12 runs via the DLS method at the Diego Martin Sports Complex.
Barbados made 100-5 from their 20 overs after being put in to bat. Asabi Callender led the way with 40 while Naijanni Cumberbatch made 30* against 2-9 off four overs from Kenika Cassar and 2-13 off three overs from Brianna Harricharan.
Trinidad & Tobago’s target was then revised to 95 off 18 overs due to rain.
They lost wickets early and never recovered, eventually being restricted to 82-9 off 18 overs.
Erin Deane starred with 4-12 from her four overs while Cumberbatch and Nia Wood took 2-14, each.
Also on Saturday, Trinidad and Tobago will face the Windward Islands in the third-place playoff at the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground while Jamaica will face Barbados in the fifth-place playoff at the Diego Martin Sports Complex.
Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy has praised his side's "humble" attitude ahead of their trip to Los Angeles FC in MLS on Saturday.
The Crew are on a four-match winning streak, scoring 15 goals and keeping three clean sheets during that run.
They sit third in the Eastern Conference, and after a 4-0 victory over Toronto FC last time out, Nancy showed his admiration for their impressive run.
"The fact that we are humble enough to accept that we have to improve all the time, the consequence of that is we are able to do something new and to improve all the time," Nancy said.
"Again, this desire to get better and better depends on what the opposition is going to give us.
"[I'm proudest of] the fact that we don't take anything for granted. That's why we were able to attack well and to defend well. This is the spirit that I really like."
LAFC, meanwhile, sit joint-top of the Western Conference, with Real Salt Lake and LA Galaxy also on 43 points.
Their high-flying season has drawn attention, with head coach Steve Cherundolo's name one of those linked to the currently vacant USA national team job.
Cherundolo has brushed aside any concerns that he will be leaving LA though, instead using it to highlight the club's work this season.
"I am LAFC's head coach right now," he said. "That is my job, it's what I do every day. We have training tomorrow and I will be there for it.
"I think it has more to do with LAFC and all that's going on here.
"We're all moving in the same direction. When the group functions well, individuals shine, it's just a well-run organisation, and it's partly my job to make sure we keep going in that direction."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Los Angeles FC – Denis Bouanga
Denis Bouanga (one goal) and Mateusz Bogusz (one assist) were each involved in a goal in LAFC's 2-1 win against LA Galaxy last time out, the league-leading 10th time both have contributed to a goal in the same match this season.
Columbus Crew – Diego Rossi
Cucho Hernandez (11 goals, seven assists) and Diego Rossi (seven goals, nine assists) are one of two MLS team-mate duos to each have 7+ goals and 7+ assists in 2024, along with Real Salt Lake's Cristian Arango and Andres Gomez.
MATCH PREDICTION: LOS ANGELES FC WIN
LAFC have won six consecutive regular-season home matches, scoring at least three goals in four of those wins. They have only one longer home-winning run in their history – a nine-match streak in 2022.
However, they lost to Columbus when the two last faced each other, as the Crew came out on top with a 2-1 victory in the 2023 MLS Cup Final last December. Prior to that match, LAFC had won all three of their meetings by a combined 7-0.
The Crew are coming off a 4-0 victory over Toronto FC, their second shutout win by at least four goals this season (4-0 over Sporting Kansas City last month). It is the first time Columbus have had multiple such wins in MLS play in a single season.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Los Angeles FC – 42.4%
Draw – 26.7%
Columbus Crew – 30.9%
Nick Cushing believes his New York City FC side are in a good place as they seek to improve their form on the road against Chicago Fire this weekend.
NYCFC are winless in their last three games away from home, with their latest defeat coming against Austin FC last time out as Gyasi Zardes’ double cancelled out Andres Perea's early strike.
The result leaves them in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings, a point behind rivals New York Red Bulls ahead of the upcoming Leagues Cup break.
Despite their recent loss, Cushing’s side have impressed on home turf and is happy with the moment his players find themselves at an important stage of the season.
“I think the upcoming games are important because I think everybody in the league sees the League Cup break as a natural marker in the season,” Cushing said. “You then focus on the Leagues Cup, and then you've got the run in through until the end of the season.
“I think the only way that we have to approach it is to improve the performances from the previous games. The Austin game was vastly improved compared to the Nashville and the LA Galaxy game.
“We dominate the game, we control the game, we showed a real maturity in when to have the ball and when to go out and counterattack. We created many chances, but we just fell on the wrong side of the result.
“We have to take the positives out of the performance and we have to improve in the areas where we don't get the result and ultimately that is executing in the final third. We missed chances that we created and we gave two moments that in this league you will be punished for.
“We have to fix that fast. Whether it is understanding whether it is mentality, I think this group is in a good place."
Chicago Fire, meanwhile, suffered a third defeat in four games at the hands of San Jose Earthquakes, leaving them precariously close to the bottom of the Eastern Conference table.
Just four points separate seven teams at the wrong end of the standings, with the Fire guilty of squandering several opportunities to put important points on the board.
It was the seventh time this season that Chicago have failed to score in a game. No team has failed to do so more often in the MLS this season.
Head coach Frank Klopas acknowledged his side’s wastefulness in front of goal, insisting his players need to find that clinical edge moving forwards.
“For me, the staff and the players, it felt like a missed opportunity for us to go and pick up points,” Klopas said.
“It was probably not a game that we came out with the highest intensity of energy. I think both teams had a little bit of a slow start. We did create opportunities, but again conceded one goal.
“We created enough to come away with points. It’s disappointing because it was an opportunity with the results around us for us to pick up some important momentum and gain some ground on teams.
“We missed that opportunity. We don’t always make it easy on ourselves when those chances come and we can’t let too many more of those slide away because the season is running out.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Chicago Fire – Hugo Cuypers
Hugo Cuypers has scored in each of his last three MLS appearances at Soldier Field and will be brimming with confidence ahead of facing NYCFC.
No Fire player has had a longer single-season home scoring streak since Nemanja Nikolic scored in four straight home matches to end the 2017 campaign.
NYCFC – Tayvon Gray
Tayvon Gray continued his influential displays for NYCFC in the final third, notching his fifth assist of the season in their win over Philadelphia Union.
Only two MLS players have more assists this season without having a secondary assist (San Jose’s Cristian Espinoza — 10, New York Red Bulls’ Dante Vanzeir — six).
MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW
Heading into the encounter at Soldier Field, NYCFC hold the better head-to-head record from their previous meetings with Chicago, having lost just three times in their 20 all-time fixtures (W11, D6), including going unbeaten in their last five encounters (W4, D1).
Chicago, however, will have confidence in front of their home supporters. Of the 15 points they have taken from NYCFC, 13 have come at home (W3, D4, L2).
The Fire have won back-to-back home matches after a six-match winless run at Soldier Field from mid-April to the end of May. Chicago scored six times in their two home wins after scoring only twice in their previous six games at home.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Chicago Fire – 35%
Draw – 26%
NYCFC – 39%
The Colorado Rapids are seeking a fifth straight home win when they face the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, but coach Chris Armas says their previous results will count for nothing if they do not execute on the day.
Colorado sit fourth in the Western Conference, six points behind leaders Los Angeles FC, after winning five of their last six games (one defeat).
At DICK'S Sporting Goods Park, they have won their last four matches against Austin FC (2-0), CF Montreal (4-1), Sporting Kansas City (2-1) and St. Louis City (4-1).
Armas, however, says all that good work could easily be undone if they do not understand how to combat the Red Bulls' high-pressing style.
"It's five out of the last six that we've won but this is the past. We have to reset and be ready against a really good team," Armas said.
"Part one is to understand the opposition and part two is to execute. This is very specific, they're very clear in the way they play.
"I've seen a lot of teams play against them but it's not easy against that philosophy. It's very intensive and you have to actually go out and execute your plan."
The Red Bulls are also flying high, sitting fourth in the East after going five games unbeaten, though four of those have finished level.
They have lost key attacking midfielder Emil Forsberg to injury and he is expected to be sidelined for at least a month, but head coach Sandro Schwarz is confident they can cope.
"With Emil the situation is now clear, but we also played the last two games without Emil," Schwarz said. "We showed, for me, very good performances.
"He's a key player, for sure, but now we have to handle it and it's my job with the coaching staff to cope with this. Hopefully he will come back as soon as possible."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Colorado Rapids – Cole Bassett
Bassett, Kevin Cabral and Jonathan Lewis all had a goal and an assist in the Rapids' 4-1 win over St. Louis last Sunday, the first time three Rapids players had done so in the same match since 2008 – Mehdi Ballouchy, Colin Clark and Tom McManus versus the Red Bulls.
Bassett's seven goals in MLS this term have only been bettered by Rafael Navarro (11) and Djordje Mihailovic (10) among Colorado players.
New York Red Bulls – Dante Vanzier
Vanzier averages 0.42 assists per 90 minutes in MLS this year, the fifth-best figure in the competition, while he has also created 1.55 chances per game.
The Red Bulls may have to absorb plenty of pressure on Saturday, but they will be keen to get Vanzier involved whenever they manage to mount an attack.
MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW
The Rapids have won their last two meetings with the Red Bulls, including an incredible 5-4 victory the last time the sides faced off in 2022. Colorado had only won three of their previous 12 matches against them in all competitions dating back to 2010.
Colorado have won seven of their last nine games on home soil (one draw, one loss), including their last four in a row, their longest home winning streak since a six-match run spanning the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
The Red Bulls, though, are solid opponents and played out a goalless draw on the road against the Philadelphia Union last time out – their fourth of the campaign. It would be no surprise to see them attempt to keep things tight again here.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Colorado Rapids – 36.8%
New York Red Bulls – 37%
Draw – 26.3%
Toronto FC head coach John Herdman is hoping his players can rediscover their confidence as they prepare to welcome Philadelphia Union to the BMO Field this weekend.
The Reds come into the game off the back of a defeat in their Canadian Championship semi-final defeat to Forge FC in the first game of their two-legged tie.
But fortunes have not been different in the MLS. Toronto have failed to win a league game since a 5-1 victory against CF Montreal back in May, losing eight of their last nine games.
That poor run of form leaves them in ninth in the Eastern Conference, with Herdman saying that the way in which his side are conceding goals is affecting their confidence on the pitch.
“When you’re on a run like this, confidence is ebbing and flowing so you are more susceptible to the big moments,” Herdman said.
“It’s a few goals that we have conceded, but it’s another goal we have conceded with a ball like that and confidence just ebbs.
“We got back into it and scored our goal. We had a few good chances, but again, I think what we saw was a commitment from our players when there is that desperation and there’s an absolute clarity that it is all on the line.”
For Philadelphia Union, meanwhile, they have endured a similar run of results that leaves them just a point ahead of bottom side D.C. United in the Eastern Conference standings.
Philadelphia’s draw with New England Revolution halted a run of five consecutive losses, but they have also not won since May – a 3-0 win over the Revs.
Head coach Jim Curtin understands the magnitude of the game between two of the division’s out of form sides and insisted that his side need to find a way of getting a result.
"Toronto is a big one for both teams. We're both struggling, both not where we want to be, I think both have more quality within their group than the point total shows,” Curtin said.
“But I've said it before you are what your record says you are, and we have to find a way to get a result.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Toronto FC – Prince Owusu
Having failed to score in six matches after picking up a calf injury, Prince Owusu found himself back among the goals for Toronto against Forge FC.
The striker has three goals from three appearances in the Canadian Championship, and he will be keen to transfer that form into the MLS, having netted six goals from 20 outings so far.
Philadelphia Union – Mikael Uhre
Over the years, three Union players (Sergio Santos, Daniel Gazdag and Mikael Uhre) have scored hat-tricks against Toronto FC since 2020, and Mikael Uhre would love to net another treble this time around.
Uhre has scored four goals in five games against the Reds, the joint-most he has managed in the MLS (Montreal and D.C. United – also four).
MATCH PREDICTION: PHILADELPHIA UNION WIN
With both sides in desperate need of a victory, Opta’s data-led simulations have Philadelphia claiming the win at the BMO Field, but their record in Toronto is far from impressive.
The Union have won just one of their last 10 meetings with Toronto on the road (D2, L7), dating back to 2015. Philadelphia’s only victory in Toronto during that time was a 2-1 win in May 2019.
Toronto FC have lost six straight regular-season matches for the sixth time since the start of the 2021 season. They had one losing streak of six or more matches in their first 14 MLS seasons (2007-20).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Toronto FC – 30.2%
Draw – 24.9%
Philadelphia Union – 44.9%
On June 30, at the final day of the Jamaica National Championships held at the National Stadium in Kingston, reigning world 100m hurdles champion Danielle Williams secured her place on her first-ever Olympic team with a second-place finish in 12.53 seconds. This achievement comes at the age of 31, after two previous unsuccessful attempts, marking a significant milestone in her illustrious career.
Williams, who had set the previous national record of 12.32 seconds in 2019, finished behind Ackera Nugent, who won the event with a new national record of 12.28 seconds. Janeek Brown, who previously held the record before Williams, finished third in a season’s best 12.61 seconds.
When asked by Sportsmax.TV about her emotions on making the Jamaica Olympic team for the first time, Williams expressed her gratitude and humility.
"To be honest, I don’t feel any different. I am happy, I’m blessed to be on the team this time around. God is an on-time God. It is His will for me to be on the team this time; the other two times it wasn’t His will, so I’m just giving Him thanks, staying in the moment, staying grounded; going back to work and gearing up for Paris."
Williams had aimed for a faster time, and her second-place finish in 12.53 seconds was a bit surprising given her current form and expectations.
"I felt I would have gone 12.3 or low 12.4, so 12.53 was a bit surprising given the shape I am in and how I felt, but again, God’s time and not my time, and the time will come. I am just happy to finish in the top three."
Reflecting on her world title victory in Budapest last year, Williams emphasized that her confidence heading into the Jamaican championships came from her ability to trust her body rather than her previous win.
"I have always been confident; winning last year didn’t affect my confidence for this year. The confidence I get is that I can trust my body; my body is not failing me this year. I have been able to stay injury-free, and that is all the confidence I need."
Williams' coach, Lennox Graham, acknowledged that there were areas needing improvement for Williams to perform at her best in Paris. Despite her solid performance, Graham saw room for technical refinement.
"You know me; I will always say yes because I am always striving to get better. She ran 12.46 there earlier in the season with a lot of load, and so I could see why she would believe; she would be running well in practice and running 12.46 loaded when she came for the Jamaica Athletic Invitational, there is no way we wouldn’t believe she would run faster."
Graham pinpointed specific issues during the race that need to be addressed.
"She didn’t have a technically good race and she picked a good time to do it because usually in Jamaica you have a technically bad race you run fourth or fifth so it was fortunate for us that she was 12.53 and second. Ackera Nugent ran a great race, 12.28, anywhere you go and run 12.2 (you do well), so we are not taking anything away from her, but I believe Ants was in shape to run faster than 12.5 for sure."
The coach identified the final hurdles as a critical area needing improvement.
"She was not happy with the last three hurdles I was not happy with the last five because that was where it started going wrong. It’s not something that is unfixable, it’s something that can be adjusted. At the end of the day, the athlete has to go out there and race. We can see the progress being made in practice, but then you have to go out there and race."
Graham elaborated on the technical aspects that need correction.
"Over the last five hurdles, she was just running. The hurdles is a rhythm race, it’s not just running, so you just have to embrace that and make the necessary corrections to make sure that she stays in rhythm because she went out of rhythm, totally out of rhythm. But it’s a good problem to have; you’re on the team because we have gone in 2016 and 2020 and not made the team."
Reflecting on past disappointments, Graham emphasized the significance of Williams making the team at age 31.
"2016, we were leading and then ran into a hurdle, jumped over it and out of the race. 2020, we ran hard and was fourth. So we missed it twice and to get it at 31 years old is a blessing. We are holding it with both hands and with both legs wrapped around it. Now we are going to try and show up and make ourselves and Jamaica proud. That is our plan."
Minnesota United head coach Eric Ramsay is hopeful they can bounce back after conceding another late goal when they travel to Houston Dynamo on Saturday.
The Loons are currently on a six-match losing streak, their worst such run in club history, which has seen them drop to 10th in the Western Conference.
Minnesota conceded a 90th-minute winner against LA Galaxy last weekend, leaving Ramsay frustrated at being unable to snap their poor streak.
"It's coming down to exceptionally fine margins and what's really tough at the moment is the performances aren't too big a problem, but it's at the end of a very tough month, so it adds insult to injury," Ramsay said.
"I only take it one day at a time and try not to let the big picture loom too large. We're in a difficult period so we need to alter our expectations from what they were a month ago.
"It's a good learning curve for me as a young coach, and a test to stay positive and hope the results don't influence the day-to-day so we can keep putting out a competitive team."
Meanwhile, Houston sit two places and one point above their opponents, though their six-game unbeaten run was ended by a 3-2 defeat to Real Salt Lake.
Their previous match against Los Angeles FC was postponed due to bad weather, so after an extended break, head coach Ben Olsen is looking to improve on that performance.
"We looked a little bit unfocused, and I think we understood the task going into it, but on the pitch, we didn't, and I don't think I hammered that in enough," Olsen said.
"We were lackadaisical, gave up poor goals, played into their hands. Not the greatest performance from us, but maybe we should've come away with something."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Houston Dynamo – Ibrahim Aliyu
Ibrahim Aliyu has scored in back-to-back matches, taking his goal tally to a team-high six for the Dynamo this season.
The Nigerian has scored at least once in each of the last five months dating back to March.
Minnesota United – Teemu Pukki
Teemu Pukki scored his 13th MLS goal in Minnesota's defeat to LA Galaxy on Sunday. Six of Pukki's 13 goals have been scored in four career matches against the Galaxy, while he has scored seven times in his other 26 MLS appearances in total.
MATCH PREDICTION: HOUSTON DYNAMO WIN
Houston have won two of their last three meetings with Minnesota in all competitions (lost one), including a 2-1 road win on April 13, after losing the previous six meetings. The Dynamo have never completed a single-season league double over Minnesota before.
However, Houston have won only four of their last 14 regular-season matches (drawn five, lost five), dating back to mid-April after winning four of their previous five games (L1).
Meanwhile, Minnesota have lost six straight matches for the first time in club history. The Loons had lost five of their previous 20 games dating back to the end of last season.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Houston Dynamo – 53.2%
Draw – 24%
Minnesota United – 22.9%
Orlando City head coach Oscar Pareja is hopeful his side can continue their play-off journey ahead of facing New England Revolution this weekend.
The Lions recorded consecutive victories with an emphatic display against D.C. United last time out as they put on a five-star showing at the Inter&Co Stadium.
Their latest result leaves them in seventh place in the Eastern Conference, five points behind Charlotte FC.
Pareja insists his side must continue to improve as they aim to climb the league table, believing his players have found confidence and connection at an important stage of the season.
“First we will try to keep and then improve the level, like always,” Pareja said. “The results obviously just give us more confidence to continue winning games and adding important points.
“I think the functionality of the team is much better and the cohesiveness that we have found in the last two games has given us optimism.
“We will keep working. The journey is still in front of us, and we have to keep improving and see if we can maintain this level of not just playing well but having that confidence in front of goal."
New England, meanwhile, enter the contest off the back of a 2-0 defeat to Seattle Sounders, their first defeat on the road in two games having recorded impressive victories over CF Cincinnati and Nashville SC.
The Revs remain among a cluster of teams separated by just four points at the bottom end of the Eastern Conference table, currently sitting 12th in the division.
However, Caleb Porter’s side have impressed at home in recent weeks, and the New England head coach stressed the importance of claiming successes in their next two games at the Gillette Stadium ahead of the Leagues Cup break.
“It’s really important. You have to take care of business at home, and we didn’t do that earlier in the year but we have been able to do that a bit more recently,” Porter said.
“The guys have gained confidence at home, and this will be another tough game.
“We have three games now until a kind of break. This is our 21st game so it’s going to happen fast, but we want to get as many points as possible before the break and that sets up a kind of a stretch run.
“We will have only 11 games to go so the next two home games before this break, we need to push really hard to take care of business.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
New England Revolution – Carles Gil
Some players find a side that they just cannot stop scoring against, and Carles Gil has proved to be Orlando City’s kryptonite in previous meetings.
Gil has recorded 11 goal contributions against the Lions (five goals, six assists. Only Sebastian Giovinco (15) has achieved more than the Spaniard.
Orlando City – Facundo Torres
Facundo Torres is already a firm fan favourite for his dynamic attacking displays, and his statistics have him among some of the best players to play for Orlando.
Since arriving at the club in 2022, Torres has notched 47 regular-season goal contributions, ranking him fourth for the most in club history. He is two behind Cyle Larin and Mauricio Pereyra (49 each) for joint-second in the Lions’ MLS history.
MATCH PREDICTION: NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION WIN
New England will be hopeful of maintaining their impressive recent form at the Gillette Stadium, having three of their last four home matches (L1). Prior to this run, they had recorded just one victory in their previous seven games in front of their own supporters (D1, L5).
The Revs also hold an impressive record over their opponents on home turf and have never lost to Orlando at the Gillette Stadium (W6 D2). New England have also outscored their opponents 21-6 over their eight meetings in Foxborough.
However, the Lions will be confident of ending their losing streak away to New England. Their 5-0 win over D.C. United equalled the largest margin of victory in the club’s history. It was the third five-goal triumph, with the first of those coming against the Revs in a 6-1 win back in 2017.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
New England Revolution – 40.7%
Draw – 26.7%
Orlando City – 32.7%
Defending champions Jamaica and the Windward Islands were evenly poised at stumps on day one of their opening encounter of the 2024 CWI Rising Stars Under-19 2-Day Championship in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Thursday.
The Jamaicans, after winning the toss and bowling first at Arnos Vale, restricted the Windwards to 135 all out in 45.2 overs in their first innings.
West Indies Under-19 Captain Stephan Pascal led the way for the Windwards with 26 while Lee John, Kirtney Franklyn and Kirt Murray all chipped in with 23, 22, and 21, respectively.
Leg-spinner Tamarie Redwood was the pick of the Jamaican bowlers with 6-44 from 17.2 overs while medium pacer Michael Clarke took 4-26 from 12 overs.
The Jamaicans then reached 146-8 off 34.1 overs before declaring close to the end of the day’s play.
West Indies Under-19 opener Adrian Weir top scored with 38 while captain Brian Barnes made 30 and Steve Wedderburn, who also represented the West Indies Under-19s at the World Cup earlier this year, made 28.
Kirt Murray took 4-22 from his 6.1 overs of left arm spin while Aaron Joseph took 2-24 from five overs of medium pace.
The Windwards reached 27-0 off five overs at stumps, leading by 16 runs.
Full Scores:
Windward Islands U-19s 135 all out off 45.2 overs (Stephan Pascal 26, Lee John 23, Kirtney Franklyn 22, Kirt Murray 21, Tamarie Redwood 6-44, Michael Clarke 4-26) & 27-0 off five overs (Stephan Pascal 15*, Theo Edward 10*)
Jamaica U-19s 146-8 declared off 34.1 overs (Adrian Weir 38, Brian Barnes 30, Steve Wedderburn 28, Michael Clarke 24, Kirt Murray 4-22, Aaron Joseph 2-24)
At Sion Hill Playing Field, Trinidad & Tobago trail Barbados by 149 runs at stumps on day one.
Barbados made 200-9 declared off 67 overs after being put in to bat by their Trinidadian counterparts on Thursday.
Jatario Prescod led the way with 55* and was well supported by Joshua Morris who made a patient 43.
Raneico Smith (21) and captain Nathan Sealy (20) also provided useful knocks.
Left arm pacer Jacen Agard took 4-50 from 17 overs for T&T and was well supported by Aneal Rooplal’s 2-36 off 11 overs.
At stumps, Trinidad & Tobago reached 51-3 off 17 overs. Openers Justin Jagessar and Kyle Ramdoo made 22 and 15, respectively.
Full Scores:
Barbados U-19s 200-9 declared off 67 overs (Jatario Prescod 55, Joshua Morris 43, Raneico Smith 21, Nathan Sealy 20, Jacen Agard 4-50, Aneal Rooplal 2-36)
Trinidad & Tobago U-19s 51-3 off 17 overs (Justin Jagessar 22, Kyle Ramdoo 15)
At Park Hill Playing Field, Leeward Islands Under-19s trail Guyana Under-19s by 27 runs.
The Leewards restricted Guyana to 111 all out off 34.2 overs after winning the toss.
Jonathan Van Lange top scored for the Guyanese with 28 while Rampertab Ramnauth made 22 against 5-21 from West Indies Under-19 pacer Nathan Edward.
Micah McKenzie and Matthew Miller also bowled well with 2-18 from 10 overs and 2-23 from five overs, respectively.
The Leewards then reached 84-2 off 20 overs at stumps with Devanand Singh and captain Jewel Andrew at the crease on 22* and 16*, respectively.
Full Scores:
Guyana U-19s 111 all out off 34.2 overs (Jonathan van Lange 28, Rampertab Ramnauth 22, Nathan Edward 5-21, Micah McKenzie 2-18, Matthew Miller 2-23)
Leeward Islands U-19s 84-2 off 20 overs (Michael Palmer 24, Devanand Singh 22*, Jewel Andrew 16*)
As expected, Sada Williams headlines a four-member Barbados team to the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The 26-year-old World Bronze medallist is one of two track and field athletes who will compete for Barbados at the July 26-August 12 event.
Williams, who trains in Jamaica, will contest the Women's 400 metres, while sprinter Tristan Evelyn is set to take part in the Women's 100 metres.
Matthew Wright is the lone Triathlete while the other competitor is swimmer Jack Kirby, who gained a Universality Place.
Greg Vanney is anticipating another draining week for his LA Galaxy players as they head to Texas to tackle FC Dallas.
The Galaxy played two home games in quick succession, losing to rivals Los Angeles FC and beating Minnesota United, before a break ahead of this match.
But the July heat means Vanney sees this next task being little easier for his side, with another home double-header quickly following as the Colorado Rapids and the Portland Timbers visit LA.
"We have a couple of days from a busy and emotional week, just to reset physically and mentally, and then you start to prepare for what's going to be another busy week after," he said.
"We start off in Dallas. Dallas is always tough, especially this time of year. It's a special kind of tough with the weather.
"Then we come back for two more at home. We'll road map out how we want to approach next week and prepare the group."
After the setback of the LAFC defeat, a win over Minnesota at least lifted spirits ahead of this stretch.
Vanney continued: "It's nice doing that coming off a win. It feels a lot better as you go into this week and everybody can kind of relax and enjoy a couple of days, and then we get right back to work."
The Galaxy have also had time to get back on the training pitch before playing Dallas, with Vanney acknowledging he was focusing solely on the result against Minnesota given the quick turnaround.
"I think sometimes in the third games you put away some of the stuff that you normally are really, really picky on," he said.
"You've just got to suffer through it a little bit, and we did enough to get the three points [against Minnesota].
"We'll take it, and we'll talk about how we want to keep improving and get better and attack the next week, so just I'm glad we managed to get the three points."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
FC Dallas – Petar Musa
Musa missed out on Croatia's squad for Euro 2024, but while his international team-mates were exiting at the group stage, he has been tearing it up in MLS.
The forward has scored in four of his past five matches for six total goals across that span.
He is only the eighth Dallas player to score six or more goals across a run of five matches in MLS history.
LA Galaxy – Gabriel Pec
The Galaxy have their own in-form star in Pec, who scored both goals in the 2-1 win over Minnesota.
He is not just a goalscorer, however, adding seven assists to his nine MLS goals this season.
Indeed, Pec has either scored, assisted or provided a secondary assist in six straight games, the longest such streak from a Galaxy player since Javier Hernandez's eight across 2021 and 2022.
MATCH PREDICTION: DALLAS WIN
It is little wonder Vanney was not exactly relishing this trip, as Dallas have won seven in a row at home against the Galaxy. An eighth would make this the outright longest winning run for any team at home to the Galaxy in the MLS regular season.
And Dallas' home form is imperious right now, too. They have won six of their past eight at home.
The Galaxy are at least themselves in good shape, winning seven of nine for the first time in a single regular season since 2019, but only league leaders FC Cincinnati have won at Dallas since the start of April.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
FC Dallas – 38.8%
LA Galaxy – 34.7%
Draw – 26.5%
Two of the form teams in MLS's Western Conference will go head to head on Saturday when the Portland Timbers host Real Salt Lake.
The Timbers have won four of their past five matches to climb to fifth, showing signs they have got to grips with Phil Neville's system in his first season with the club.
But Portland are still some 10 points behind RSL, one of the league's standout teams this year.
Without defeat at home in two months, the Timbers are at least in confident mood heading into this next tough test.
"I think now the team is very confident in the system we are playing," said captain Diego Chara.
"From my point of view, we have to just continue, getting more games, more wins and get to the playoffs."
Neville will have to find a way for Portland to handle Diego Luna, who missed out on a place in the United States' squad for the Olympics but responded in stunning fashion.
Luna scored one and assisted three more in a 5-2 win over Atlanta United, taking the 20-year-old to five goals and eight assists for the season.
Two-time MLS Golden Boot winner Bradley Wright-Phillips told This is MLS: "To me, [Luna not making the US squad] is wild.
"How he's not in the squad, I don't understand. It may be something personal, because who's playing better than him right now in this country at his age in that position? There's no one."
Luna will be looking for a repeat performance against the Timbers, keeping his focus on RSL's fine form.
"Decisions are made in soccer. There are different teams with different coaches," he said. "There's nothing you can do about that, and I'm grateful to be here and to be able to stay here with RSL in this great run of form.
"I'm happy, focused, here with RSL and will continue to work hard."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Portland Timbers – Jonathan Rodriguez
It is difficult to pick out Portland's star man as, right now, they have three.
Rodriguez (11 goals), Felipe Mora (10) and Evander (10) are the first trio of team-mates in MLS history to each have 10 or more goals for the season before the beginning of August.
However, Rodriguez is the man in form, having netted twice in last week's 4-1 win over Nashville.
Real Salt Lake – Andres Gomez
Although he did not net against Atlanta, Luna's outstanding form is good news for Gomez. Three of his 11 goals this season have been created by Luna.
Indeed, Gomez is himself at the centre of much of RSL's best work, providing three assists for top scorer Chicho Arango and receiving a further three in return.
MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW
RSL might be one of the league's best this year, but they are winless in seven straight games at Providence Park.
In fact, RSL have only two away wins against Portland in the MLS regular season, with those coming back in 2012 and 2017.
However, seven of their other 14 meetings in Oregon have been drawn, and that might be a result both sides would settle for.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Portland Timbers – 37.1 per cent
Real Salt Lake – 36.6 per cent
Draw – 26.3 per cent
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