Reggae Boyz Vice Captain Damion Lowe has officially joined the growing list of players making the move to the Saudi Professional League.
The 31-year-old defender signed with Al-Akhdoud on Friday, completing a transfer from Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit Philadelphia Union. Lowe has committed to a two-year deal with the Saudi Pro League team, though the transfer fee remains undisclosed.
Lowe joins a wave of top-tier talent that has recently gravitated towards Saudi Arabia, following in the footsteps of global stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Karim Benzema, and Sadio Mane. Among his compatriots, Reggae Boyz Demarai Gray and Andre Gray also made similar moves last summer.
Damion looks forward to the journey ahead.
"Playing in the Saudi Pro League is a thrilling new chapter in my career. I’m eager to bring my best to the pitch, embrace the culture, and make an impact both on and off the field. The recent passion for football there is incredible, and I can’t wait to be a part of it," Lowe said.
Al-Akhdoud is a Saudi Arabian football club based in Najran, located in the southern region of the country.
The West Indies took advantage of an inexperienced South Africa bowling line-up to take a 1-0 T20I Series lead at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on Friday.
The hosts, after winning the toss and electing to field first, took advantage of some bowler friendly conditions early due to an hour-long rain delay to have the South Africans reeling at 42-5 after eight overs.
A 71-run sixth wicket partnership between Tristan Stubbs and Patrick Krueger made things more respectable for South Africa.
They eventually made 174-7 from their 20 overs, an excellent recovery from where they were at the halfway stage.
Stubbs starred with a 42-ball 76 including eight fours and three sixes while Kruger made 44 off 32 balls.
Matthew Forde was the pick of the West Indies bowlers with 3-27 from his four overs.
The hosts then needed only 17.5 overs to reach 176-3. Openers Alick Athanaze and Shai Hope put on 84 for the first wicket and set an excellent foundation for the rest of the chase.
Nicholas Pooran, in his turn in the middle, took advantage of that foundation with a brutal 65* off just 26 balls including two fours and seven mighty sixes.
Shai Hope made 51 in support while Athanaze made 40.
Ottneil Baartman took 2-30 from his four overs for South Africa.
The second game of the series is set for Sunday at the same venue.
BJ Callaghan insists foundations are still being built in Nashville as he takes charge of his first MLS fixture with his new side against Austin FC this weekend.
Callaghan replaced Gary Smith and was in the dugout for their Leagues Cup campaign but failed to reach the knockout stages after losing 5-4 on penalties to New England Revolution.
But attention now swiftly returns to league action, with the Coyotes sitting 12th in the Eastern Conference standings, but just two points behind Atlanta United, who are ninth.
And Callaghan acknowledged his side had only been together for a matter of weeks, and explained their Leagues Cup exit offered them time to focus on themselves.
"We came into the Leagues Cup with the objective of making progress and starting to build," Callaghan said.
"We've been together for not even two weeks as a group. We wanted to play as many games as possible because we know that's a good way to continue to challenge ourselves and learn.
“That's not happening. Now we have just over two weeks to really focus on ourselves."
Austin, meanwhile, have enjoyed a month-long break from competitive action, but entered their time away from the pitch by going three games without a victory (D1 L2).
The Verde and Black sit 10th in the Western Conference table, a point behind Minnesota United, having distanced themselves from the sides below them.
And head coach Josh Wolff believes the squad's period away from the MLS has been spent productively but insisted that his side must be more clinical in front of goal.
“The guys are in a very good place. The last five or six games have been indicative of what we are and what we can be,” Wolff said.
“We have played well over the last six or seven games but getting different results. The Leagues Cup competition was good for us as a collective.
“Ultimately the spirit of the group right now is in a good spot. We have to go there ready to compete. We know what our road form is like and we have to do the business in front of goal.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Nashville – Hany Mukhtar
Hany Mukhtar’s last three regular-season goals have all been scored from the penalty spot, with the last time he found the back of the net not from 12 yards coming in late April.
However, he has assisted on five of the 13 non-penalty goals Nashville have scored since he last struck from the spot. The German also has three goals in his three games against Austin.
Austin – Jader Obrian
After joining from FC Dallas at the end of last year, Jader Obrian has enjoyed a successful debut campaign for Austin.
Having not scored since their 1-1 draw with Los Angeles FC in June, the Colombian ended his scoring drought in the Leagues Cup against Monterrey, and he will be hopeful of reigniting that form upon his return to MLS action.
MATCH PREDICTION: NASHVILLE WIN
Nashville are unbeaten in three all-time meetings with Austin FC (W2 D1), including a pair of shutout wins in the two meetings between the sides on home turf.
But they have lost six straight regular-season matches, last earning a point in MLS play with a 1-0 win over New York City FC in June. The Coyotes had never lost more than four consecutive league matches before this run.
However, they face a side on a poor run of their own. Austin have managed just two wins in its last 11 league matches (D3 L6). Their 31 points through 25 games are the fewest at this stage of a season since its inaugural 2021 campaign (19).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Nashville – 43.8%
Draw – 26.8%
Austin – 29.4%
Pablo Mastroeni has backed new arrival Diogo Goncalves to mirror the impact of departed star Andres Gomez, as Real Salt Lake prepare to return to MLS action against the San Jose Earthquakes.
Real Salt Lake emerge from the Leagues Cup break third in the Western Conference standings, with only Inter Miami (56) bettering their 51 goals this season in MLS.
However, they must continue their playoff push without Gomez, who has joined French side Rennes after contributing seven goals and 13 assists in regular-season action this year.
The $11million fee RSL received for Gomez allowed them to strengthen in the transfer market, and Mastroeni feels Goncalves – brought in from Copenhagen – could replicate his impact.
"If I had to take a flier, I'd say Diogo is a top player. He has the pedigree of playing for some top clubs, he's an established player," Mastroeni told KSL Sports.
"All his attributes are extremely refined, he has an unbelievable eye for goal. I think he will be an important player for our team.
"He is the player I would say can be most equivalent to Andres Gomez in terms of his effect on the attacking side of our game."
While RSL are in the conversation to be top seeds, San Jose are propping up the Western Conference with just 14 points, some nine adrift of St. Louis City in 13th.
Interim boss Ian Russell acknowledges their postseason hopes are likely over and they are playing for pride, saying: "It's tough to make the playoffs right now.
"The motivation for players should come from within as well. You can't always be the coach motivating them.
"This is their job, they get paid to do this and they're playing for contracts as well. It's just pride — we need to win games."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Real Salt Lake – Cristian Arango
Arango leads the MLS scoring charts for 2024, with his 17 goals tied for the most by a Salt Lake player in a single regular season, alongside Alvaro Saborio in 2012.
His 28 total goal contributions this term, meanwhile, are the most by a player in a single campaign in RSL's MLS history.
San Jose Earthquakes – Gavin Beavers
The Earthquakes have conceded 61 goals through 25 matches this season, tied with the Tampa Bay Mutiny in 2001 for the most allowed at this stage of an MLS season.
Only three teams have ever had a worse goal difference than San Jose's minus-30 at this stage of a season. Goalkeeper Beavers could be a busy man as he targets just his third clean sheet of the year.
MATCH PREDICTION: REAL SALT LAKE WIN
Real Salt Lake have won six of their last seven regular-season home matches (one defeat), scoring five goals in three of their last five at home after doing so just four times through the first 312 regular-season home games in their history.
They have also scored in each of their last 14 home matches against San Jose, their longest such streak against any opponent in their MLS history.
Meanwhile, only the 1999 MetroStars (nine) have ever had fewer points after 25 games of a season than San Jose this year (14, tied with three other teams). As just the second team in the post-shootout era to lose 19 of their first 25 games in a season, they are big outsiders.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Real Salt Lake – 64.8%
San Jose Earthquakes – 16.7%
Draw – 19.1%
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%
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