Mls (Usa)

St. Louis have lost just one of their six MLS home games this season, helping them to ninth in the Western Conference.

Carnell’s side have, however, lost their last two matches, including their most recent home outing, but the head coach is not worried about their recent form.

He said: "The standings are not an indicator of if we give everything or not. Everything should be on the line every single day.

"For sure, there are moments of ebbs and flows through a season, and you get to mitigate through those just like every other team in the league. We're just focusing on our next game against a respectable opponent.

"We want to see if we can keep up and keep on pushing and turn Citypark into the fortress we know it can become to get three points."

Seattle sit two points below St. Louis in 10th after failing to win their previous two matches.

Head coach Brian Schmetzer wants his side to use last season’s win over St. Louis as inspiration to get back to winning ways.

"It's a tough place to play, they were on a good roll last year," he said.

"This year their results aren't quite as good, but they're still a good team. Last year's performance there away from home was good, it was solid. We scored early goals and held on. Good defence. Solid performance."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

St. Louis City – Joao Klauss

Klauss has scored in four of St. Louis’ last nine matches in the MLS, netting the opener on two occasions. He is also the club’s top scorer this season with five goals.

Seattle Sounders – Cristian Roldan

Roldan completed 82 of 88 passes in Seattle’s draw with Vancouver on Saturday, both the most in a match by a Sounders player this season. It was the most passes Roldan has completed in an MLS match since connecting on 109 passes against the Galaxy in August 2019.

MATCH PREDICTION: ST. LOUIS CITY WIN

After losing only one of their first 11 regular-season matches in 2024 (W3 D7), St. Louis have lost consecutive games. This is the fifth time they have lost two straight regular-season matches, though they have never lost three in a row in league play before.

Seattle have won both of their matches against St. Louis, outscoring them, 5-0, in those two games. The Sounders were the only team to keep clean sheets in two matches against St. Louis last season.

Seattle drew 1-1 with Vancouver last Saturday, thanks to a Ryan Gauld equalizing penalty for the Whitecaps at 93:59. It was the latest result-changing goal the Sounders have ever conceded in a regular-season MLS match.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

St. Louis City – 44.8%

Draw – 27%

Seattle Sounders – 28.2%

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%

Suarez is reportedly in talks with Miami over a move which would see him reunited with former Barcelona team-mates Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets.

The Uruguayan is seemingly closing in on a one-year deal with the MLS outfit after spending 2023 with Gremio, who finished second to Palmeiras in their first season back in Brazil's top flight, having spent the previous campaign in the second tier. 

Suarez scored 17 league goals for Gremio throughout the year, also adding 11 assists to give him the most total goal involvements (28) in the Brasileirao.

The striker, who will turn 37 in January, hit 27 goals across all competitions before departing as a free agent, and recently retired defender Chiellini says he would thrive in MLS.

"You see what Suarez did this year in Brazil… Brazil is not considered a weak league," Chiellini, who was famously bitten by Suarez at the 2014 World Cup, told Stats Perform. 

"Suarez scored almost 30 goals, we still see something there and it's still really good. Now football is changing all over the world. 

"There are less differences between some leagues in Europe and other countries. The only league that's very different from every other one, I think, is the Premier League. 

"But to be honest, the other ones we can compare, and you can also find good players in some weird leagues that some years ago you never considered. Now it is very different."

Montreal were beaten 3-1 by Columbus Crew in midweek and are now without a victory in six games in all competitions.

That includes a three-game losing streak in MLS, leaving them 13th in the Eastern Conference, and Courtois is eager to get back on track.

"It's up to me to find the winning formulas and discern the phases of the game," head coach Courtois said after the loss to Columbus.

"We have to grit our teeth and find solutions. The difficult times we are going through help me identify my group. I want to know the players better. 

"From all the negative aspects we can observe, I can identify a few individual aspects to improve the game or the team itself."

Monreal's rivals Toronto have themselves lost back-to-back games ahead of Saturday's Canadian Classique at BMO Field.

Nashville SC scored twice late on to snatch a 2-0 win in the Reds' most recent match, but acting head coach Jason deVos admits there can be no excuses.

"The last ten minutes, two mistakes cost us and that's the cruelty of football sometimes - that it's a 90-minute match and you need to put in a 90-minute performance in," he said. 

"The players are aware of that. They know where the growth areas are for us as a team."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Toronto - Federico Bernardeschi

Bernardeschi missed the loss to Nashville but will hope to start this weekend in a fixture he has fond memories of. 

The Italian has scored in each of his two home games against Montreal, making him the third Toronto player to score in two successive home games against them after Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley.

Montreal - Joel Waterman

Montreal have conceded three or more goals five times across their 12 MLS games this season, which is tied with San Jose Earthquakes for the most in MLS.

They quite simply need to sharpen up at the back, with Joel Waterman needing to step up and hope others around him also do so.. The centre-back led the way for interceptions (three) and clearances (four) against Columbus, yet it was still not enough.

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

Montreal have won five successive matches against Toronto, following a run of neither side ever winning more than three on the spin in this fixture.

Toronto have won seven and drawn one of their eight matches in which they have held opponents under two goals since September, while they have lost all 13 in which they have shipped two or more.

Keeping the opposition quiet is therefore key, and this could present a chance to do just that against a Montreal side with fewer points (five) than any side in MLS since mid-March.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Toronto - 39.6%
Draw - 28.5%
Montreal - 31.9%

The goalkeeper, who has been included in the United States’ squad for the Copa America, joined Toronto ahead of the 2023 season from New York City FC.

While last season was a disappointment for the Reds, Toronto are sixth in the Eastern Conference, with 24 points from their 17 games so far in 2024.

Johnson has kept four clean sheets in 12 MLS appearances, and his good form has been rewarded with a deal that will keep him with Toronto until the end of the 2026 campaign.

Ahead of Toronto’s meeting with the Chicago Fire, Johnson told club media: “I am excited to extend my time in Toronto – the fans have welcomed me with open arms since arriving.

“TFC has a rich history of success and I’m committed to giving everything to add some more special moments for the club and the city.”

“We are happy to announce that Sean has signed an extension with Toronto as he has been an integral part of our evolution both on and off the field,” said Toronto general manager Jason Hernandez.

“Sean will continue to provide us with the consistency and stability we will need in our group as we continue to push towards reaching our full potential. His leadership has been a fundamental aspect of our team’s identity, and we look forward to Sean helping our club achieve its goals in 2024 and beyond.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Toronto FC – Federico Bernardeschi

Bernardeschi had a goal and an assist in Toronto’s draw with D.C. on June 1, taking his total to 11 goal contributions (seven goals, four assists) this season, one more than any Toronto player recorded during the 2023 campaign.

Chicago Fire – Hugo Cuypers

Cuypers scored one of the Fire’s two goals in their win over the Galaxy and has been involved in a goal in three straight MLS appearances. No player has been involved in a goal in four straight games for the Fire since Robert Beric in September-October 2020 (five straight).

MATCH PREDICTION: TORONTO WIN

Chicago snapped a nine-match winless run with a 2-1 home victory over the LA Galaxy on June 1. It was the Fire’s first multi-goal performance since their previous win, a 2-1 victory over Houston on April 6.

Toronto have scored 33 goals in its last 11 matches in all competitions (W6 D2 L3). The Reds had totalled 32 goals in their previous 43 matches dating back to March 2023.

The Reds are unbeaten in 12 straight home matches against the Fire (W7 D5) with Chicago’s last win in Toronto coming in 2012. This is Toronto’s longest home unbeaten run against any opponent in their MLS history.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Toronto FC – 44.5%

Chicago Fire – 28.7%

Draw – 26.8%

Last year's Supporters' Shield champions have won their last six matches, equalling the best streak in their league history, which they achieved last campaign.

They trail Eastern Conference leaders Inter Miami by just one point with a game in hand, having turned their season around after a slow start.

Noonan believes time spent on the training ground, particularly with offseason arrivals, has been the major factor.

"I think it's just about the understanding of some of the roles. With new faces, that always takes time," Noonan said.

"We've had 13 or 14 games together now and with games and with time, there's better chemistry, better understanding of relationships."

On Toronto, he added: "It's been a good week for them, and I think in terms of structure and personnel, there's a lot of things that are similar."

Toronto are fifth in the Eastern standings after crushing rivals CF Montreal 5-1 in their last league game.

They followed up that win by beating Saint-Laurent 8-1 in the Canadian Championship on Tuesday, and boss John Herdman is delighted to see their forwards enjoying themselves. 

"They're just enjoying their football at the minute, really enjoying it," Herdman said. "I've got to tip my hat to the lads. I just can't wait to see this whole team playing together. 

"I think there are more levels here and I can't wait to keep pushing for them in the next three or four weeks."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Toronto FC – Lorenzo Insigne  

Federico Bernardeschi scored his first career hat-trick in Toronto's derby win last week, but then picked up a late booking that will cause him to be suspended for this game. 

Six of the eight hat-tricks scored by Toronto players in MLS have now been scored by Italians, with Sebastian Giovinco netting five. With Bernardeschi out, Insigne must step up.

FC Cincinnati – Luciano Acosta 

Acosta has contributed to at least one goal in a club-record eight straight matches, after recording a goal and two assists in a 3-1 win over St. Louis City last week. 

The only longer streak in MLS since the start of last season was a nine-game run by the Columbus Crew's Cucho Hernandez, from April to June 2023.

MATCH PREDICTION – FC CINCINNATI WIN

Toronto ended a four-match losing streak against Cincinnati on February 25 with a scoreless draw on the road. 

Cincinnati had won six of the previous seven meetings between the teams, in a run dating back to the start of the 2021 season (one defeat).

The Orange and Blue are favourites for this battle between Eastern Conference contenders, having won 30 of their last 49 regular-season games dating back to October 2022. No team in the post-shootout era has ever won 31 times in a span of 50 matches. 

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Toronto FC – 22.7%

FC Cincinnati – 56.4%

Draw – 20.9%

Dallas sit 13th in the West with just two wins from nine matches this year, though they snapped a seven-game winless run by beating the Houston Dynamo 2-0 last week.   

Just as Estevez refused to be too critical of his players during their poor run of form, he will avoid getting too high off the back of a single victory.

"As we always say, we're never too high and never too low. It's about taking the positive things that we did against Houston to carry through the week, having the same mentality," Estevez said.

"Also, with some of the things that we didn't do well, we'll keep improving on those.

"As we always say, it is a process and we're trying to keep growing throughout the season, while getting results."

Toronto, meanwhile, sit fourth in the Eastern Conference with 16 points from their first 10 MLS games under John Herdman.

They scored two late goals to overturn a 1-0 deficit and clinch a third straight victory against Orlando City last time out, leaving Herdman to credit his players for their resilience.

"We showed a good mentality to set the tone on how we wanted to approach it," he said.

"I thought the guys were brave from the front and stamped their physical dominance on the game. To see the shift they put in was exceptional. It was a complete performance."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Toronto FC – Prince Osei Owusu

Owusu has scored five goals for Toronto in MLS this year, his latest being a 90th-minute winner against Orlando last week. He has had 15 shots overall in 2024, converting 33.33 per cent of those. 

FC Dallas – Petar Musa 

Musa has scored in each of Dallas' last two matches, against the Colorado Rapids and Houston. 

He has scored (three goals) or assisted (one) four of his team's seven MLS goals since the beginning of March, demonstrating his importance. 

MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW

Toronto won their first-ever meeting with Dallas 4-0 in June 2007, but Dallas have only lost one of 18 subsequent regular-season meetings (11 wins, six draws).

Dallas, though, are winless in their last 11 games against Eastern Conference opponents across all competitions (five draws, six losses), dating back to a 1-0 win over Inter Miami last April.

Toronto have more league wins this season (five) than they managed through the entirety of 2023 (four), but Dallas have only lost one of their last four. A draw could be on the cards in Canada.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Toronto FC – 34.8%

FC Dallas – 35.6%

Draw – 29.6%

The Reds were comfortably beaten by Chicago Fire last time out, continuing their recent poor form which has seen them lose three of their last four games in front of their home supporters.

Toronto sit seventh in the Eastern Conference, three points behind Colombus Crew, who have the advantage of three games in hand in the coming weeks.

Herdman was animated following the full-time whistle last Saturday, and is looking for his side to be harder to beat as he looks for his side to return to the one he has managed for much of the season.

"While there was effort there and opportunities, we're too soft. We gave goals away tonight," said Herdman. "We've discussed this. We've got to be harder to beat, at home there's got to be an identity that fans can be proud of. That's the first night in my time where I've really shared the disappointment of the fans.”

"I always look for that silver lining, whether it's the effort, being tough, creating opportunities, but tonight we were flat," Herdman levelled. "It's very raw at the moment. We've had some conversations in the dressing room, but we can’t see that again."

"We've got three days to turn this around," he added. "And as I've said to them, 'The real us has to show on Wednesday.' The real us, because that wasn’t us."

Meanwhile, Nashville have the opportunity to close the gap to their opponents should they emerge victorious away from home, something they have been incredibly successful at in recent weeks.

Their draw against New York Red Bulls last time out saw them remain unbeaten in their last three games away from Geodis Park but they will be hoping for a better attacking display from their plethora of forward options.

Nashville attempted six shots against the Red Bulls, failing to register one on target, with those in Rumba Munthali’s ranks not having more than one shot during proceedings.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Toronto FC – Lorenzo Insinge

The experienced Italian will once again be pivotal in Toronto's forward line as the 33-year-old looks to add to his goal against Chicago Fire last time out.

Since arriving in the MLS in 2022, Insigne has scored twice against Nashville, the joint-most he has scored against any other side he has faced.

Nashville – Hany Mukhtar

Hany Mukhtar has once again been in fine form for Nashville, and he will once again look to be the creative spark for the visitors.

The German has notched two assists and a goal in his last three MLS appearances.

MATCH PREDICTION: NASHVILLE WIN

Nashville come into the encounter as favourites and will be hoping to continue their impressive form away from home, having gone unbeaten in their last three away matches (W1 D2), keeping clean sheets in all of those games.

This is the second time Nashville have kept clean sheets in three straight away games, last doing so in 2021, and they look set to continue that record this time around.

Meanwhile, Toronto have won just one of their last seven league games following a three-game unbeaten run, losing three of their four home fixtures in that time.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Toronto – 30.1%

Draw – 24.9%

Nashville – 45%

City enter Saturday's contest at BMO Field sitting fourth in the East following back-to-back home victories against Nashville SC and FC Dallas.

Nick Cushing's side are unbeaten in nine home league games stretching back into last season, but they have taken just two points from a possible 12 on their travels this term.

With a run of four successive road games to come, Martins is eager for NYCFC to get off the mark with their first away victory.

"It's not easy, but we need to impose ourselves away from home," he said. "We know away from home they press higher, they have the atmosphere, the stadium, the fans.

"We need to be brave and play the same way we play when we play with our fans in our stadium.

"We played very well last week, but if you want to be a good team, a top team, we need to play like last week away from home. It's difficult, but we need to impose ourselves."

Toronto are six points worse off than NYCFC after winning just one of their opening nine matches, with a league-high six of those games finishing all square.

The Canadian club's seven-game unbeaten run was ended by the Philadelphia Union last week, but midfielder Jonathan Osorio hopes the visit of NYCFC can prove a turning point.

"We're trying to figure it out," he said. "This season has been a weird one to really put your finger on. We're just trying to figure out how we can take the next step.

"The guys are together, speaking, letting their opinions out and seeing where we can move forward and get better. The guys in the locker room care.

"We'll be working really hard this week to figure it out and put it all together to put in a much better performance on Saturday in front of our home crowd."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Toronto FC – Jonathan Osorio

Osorio assisted both of Toronto's goals in last week's loss in Philadelphia, though those goals from Lorenzo Insigne and Richie Laryea came after the Reds had fallen 4-0 behind.

He completed 105 passes in that match, making him the only player since such data was first recorded in 2010 to complete at least 100 passes and assist multiple goals in an MLS game.

New York City FC – Santiago Rodriguez

Rodriguez notched his second and third MLS goals of the season in last week's victory against FC Dallas to move within one goal of his career-best tally from 2022.

It marked the first time the 23-year-old had scored more than once in a single MLS match, having netted just twice in his past 17 games in the competition (including playoffs).

MATCH PREDICTION – NYCFC WIN

NYCFC have won just two of their past 10 away matches, compared to eight victories in their past 10 at home.

Toronto are unbeaten in four successive games at BMO Field, meanwhile, and have lost there just twice in their past 11 outings.

But City have lost just five of their 18 regular-season games against Toronto, including only one of the past five, and will see this as a good chance to pick up a rare road win.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Toronto FC – 31.5 per cent
New York City FC – 39.9 per cent
Draw – 28.6 per cent

The Reds' miserable run continued on Saturday as they were beaten 2-1 by Atlanta in remarkable circumstances.

The Five Stripes' Jamal Thiare lurked behind Toronto goalkeeper Luka Gavran and stole possession from him as he went to kick the ball long, before converting into an empty net. 

Despite the nature of the result, Herdman believes their performance represented a step in the right direction, saying: "The team took a big step.

"The players were all in. You got that sense they were grinding out a result, but also had chances to win it.

"What can you say about the last goal? It's tough. I didn't have too many words. It's just gut-wrenching, but at the same time, there has got to be a response coming into the midweek game at home against Orlando. 

"We've got to keep moving forward. It's tough to take with 10 seconds left. I asked the fourth official how long was left, he said 10, I turned to walk to the bench and it was in the back of the net."

Orlando are also out of sorts, only winning one of their last seven matches (two draws, four losses), and going down 4-2 at New York City last time out.

Midfielder Dagur Dan Thorhallsson says finding a better balance out of possession will be key to changing their fortunes. 

"We've done it before and we know how to do it, but I feel like right now the balance just isn't quite there and that's something that we need to look at," he said.

"It's good that we started scoring, but now we need to stop conceding so many goals."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Toronto FC – Federico Bernardeschi 

Bernardeschi scored his eighth goal in MLS this season – a team-high total – in last week's defeat to Atlanta. 

He has overperformed his expected goals (xG) total of 6.21 for the campaign and ranks joint-fifth in the league for total shots on target (28, alongside Andres Gomez). Can he provide the inspiration?

Orlando City – Duncan McGuire 

McGuire is Orlando's leading scorer for 2024 after netting his seventh goal of the season last time out, with that tally coming from just 12 shots on target.

MATCH PREDICTION: ORLANDO CITY WIN

Having won seven of nine matches across all competitions between late April and May 22, Toronto have now failed to win any of their last seven (two draws, five defeats).

They have lost their last four, including each of their last two at home – 1-4 versus the Chicago Fire and 1-2 against Nashville SC.

Orlando, meanwhile, have taken 12 points on the road so far this season – a tally only bettered by five Eastern Conference rivals. The Lions are also unbeaten on their last five trips to Toronto, winning on three occasions and drawing twice.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Toronto FC – 30.7%

Orlando City – 44.2%

Draw – 25.1%

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%

NYCFC were on a five-game unbeaten run in MLS, winning three matches in a row, before they lost 2-0 to the Colorado Rapids last weekend.

They currently sit seventh with 14 points, but things are tight in the Eastern Conference and another defeat could see NYCFC slip further down the table.

"When you win a three-game homestand, you feel like you're on top of the world," Cushing said.

"And then you lose one, and you feel like you fell off the edge of a cliff.

"This team is on a journey, and it's making progress. I said three, four weeks ago that progress is disheartening, right?

"Progress is demotivating, progress is disappointing. You have to take the punches and go back and figure out how you continue to progress and improve a young team, a new team, to continue to win football games."

Toronto are flying high in the East, sitting third with 19 points after putting together a three-match winning run, and are just five points behind leaders Inter Miami. 

Federico Bernardeschi scored twice as they beat FC Dallas 3-1 last time out in MLS, leaving head coach John Herdman to sing the Italian's praises. 

"I really enjoy working with Fede; there are so many different layers to him," Herdman said. 

"I asked him to stay focused on his leadership. As I keep telling him, if you keep focusing on shaping your leadership, good things happen to good leadership, and the universe turns, and that's what happened."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Toronto – Federico Bernardeschi

Bernardeschi (two goals, one assist) was involved in all three of Toronto’s goals against Dallas last Saturday, making him the first Reds player to record three goal contributions in a match since Jacob Shaffelburg in September 2021.

NYCFC – Mounsef Bakrar

NYCFC lead all MLS teams for touches in the opponent's penalty area per match this year, averaging 30.2.

Among players, Bakrar is second in the league behind only Denis Bouanga (9.5), with 8.1 touches in the opponent’s box per 90 minutes this season (minimum 400 minutes played).

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

NYCFC have won three straight meetings with Toronto, including a 2-1 home win on March 16. It is the first time either team have won three straight meetings in the history of the sides' head-to-head series (26 matches in all competitions).

However, NYCFC have won just one of their 23 away matches in all competitions (nine draws, 13 losses), dating back to the start of last season, though that win came in Canada – a 1-0 victory at CF Montreal last July.

Meanwhile, Toronto have won four straight matches in all competitions after winning four of their previous 29 in all competitions dating back to May 2023. With a win on Saturday, Toronto can equal their points total from the entire 2023 season (22). However, Cushing's visitors are likely to be competitive.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Toronto – 32%

Draw – 29.5%

NYCFC – 38.5%

Union took an early lead after Lukas MacNaughton's 16th-minute own goal before Denmark international Uhre bagged a double before half-time.

Uhre added a third in the 56th minute to round out his hat-trick, tapping in Julian Carranza's low ball across goal and put the contest to bed.

Toronto pulled one back through Italy international Lorenzo Insigne in the 66th minute, before Richie Laryea's stoppage-time consolation.

New England reinforced their grip on top spot in the Eastern Conference with a 2-1 home win over Sporting KC, who are last overall.

Giacomo Vrioni netted a first-half brace for the Revs, but Sporting pulled one back in the 50th minute from Johnny Russell, only to be reduced to 10 men when Andreu Fontas was sent off 10 minutes later.

The Revs are ahead of second-placed Cincinnati on goal difference, with Cincy winning 2-1 over Portland Timbers after strikes from Sergio Santos and Brandon Vasquez.

New York City moved up to fourth in the East with a 3-1 home win over Dallas sparked by Santiago Rodriguez's double.

Western Conference leaders St Louis City were denied victory after Michael Barrios' 90th-minute equaliser as they drew 1-1 at Colorado Rapids.

St Louis remain top in the West but only on goal difference from Seattle Sounders who condemned Minnesota United to three straight losses with a 1-0 victory.

Denis Bouanga netted his seventh goal of the MLS season as LAFC drew 1-1 at Nashville, while LA Galaxy snapped their winless start to the campaign with a 2-0 home victory over Austin.

Inter Miami's losing run extended to six in a row, compounding the pressure on boss Phil Neville, as they went down 1-0 at Houston Dynamo.

Real Salt Lake beat San Jose Earthquakes 3-1, Charlotte defeated Columbus Crew 1-0, struggling Montreal edged New York Red Bulls 2-0 and Christian Benteke scored as DC United won 3-1 at Orlando City.

Miami are currently leading the way in the Eastern Conference and the Supporters' Shield race, with last week's 1-0 win over D.C. United lifting them to 31 points from 15 games. 

Messi has contributed 10 goals and nine assists in MLS play this year, and he is expected to feature in Canada despite sustaining a knock in a training session earlier this week.

Supporters' desire to see the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner play has led to some bizarre atmospheres since he arrived in MLS, but Sartini will not tell Vancouver's fans who to applaud.

"It's like going to the Louve and saying, 'don't cheer for the Mona Lisa'. Messi is an Opera artist," Sartini said in his pre-match press conference.

"I'm going to be more excited to see David Beckham than Messi… it's a generational thing. I hope Beckham comes, even my wife will be more happy if Beckham comes!"

Changing tone, Sartini said: "We cannot limit the danger of Messi and Luis Suarez. 

"We must prevent the ball from being passed towards them and we need to be in the right state of mind. Let's forget about Messi and focus on our own performance."

Vancouver currently occupy the final automatic playoff spot in the West, taking 19 points from their first 13 matches of 2024.

Messi's Miami team-mate Robert Taylor believes the World Cup winner has made the rest of Gerardo Martino's squad better this year, saying: "Everyone knows what he

brings on the field; he scores, he assists, he does amazing things on the field, he brings us results. 

"Then in training, there's this energy around the team, he makes everyone better.

"That's because of his personality, he wants to win every game – even in training – and I think that's been lifting everyone up a lot recently."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Vancouver Whitecaps – Ryan Gauld

Gauld scored a stoppage-time penalty to earn Vancouver a 1-1 draw against the Seattle Sounders last time out, and the Whitecaps' last five goals in MLS play have now been scored either by the Scot (two) or Brian White (three).

Inter Miami – Lionel Messi

Messi has failed to record a goal contribution on two successive starts for just the second time since joining Miami last year. 

The last time Messi went three or more straight starts in league play without contributing to a goal was on his first four starts for Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1, between September and October 2021.

MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW

Despite progressing in the Canadian Championship on away goals in midweek, the Whitecaps are winless in their last four matches across all competitions (one draw, three losses).

Miami, meanwhile, are unbeaten in their last nine, winning six and drawing three, though they were held to a goalless draw in their last road game against Orlando City.

Messi missed that Florida derby, though, and the Herons have won their last seven league matches when he has been named in their starting lineup, boasting an overall record of 10 wins, two draws and one defeat in 13 league games with Messi starting.

The Whitecaps, however, are unbeaten in their last nine regular-season games against Eastern Conference opponents dating back to the start of last season, winning four and drawing five.

The only team from the East to win in Vancouver since the start of 2021 was the Chicago Fire in July 2022. With that in mind, a draw could be on the cards on Saturday.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Vancouver Whitecaps – 38.5% 

Inter Miami – 31.7%

Draw – 29.8%

Taylor opened the scoring after 38 minutes before teeing up Leonardo Campana's second-half strike, rendering Ryan Gauld's late penalty as meaningless at BC Place.

Jordi Alba teed up Taylor's third MLS goal this season, playing down the left before the Miami man cut inside and rifled into the top-right corner.

Taylor continued to dominate in the second half, driving down the left-hand side before cutting back for Campana to slot a routine, first-time finish into the bottom-right corner after 54 minutes.

Gauld sliced the deficit with 18 minutes remaining, caressing a cool penalty past Drake Callender, but that mattered for little as Miami continue to lead the Eastern Conference standings.

Data Debrief: Unbeaten Miami on fire

Gerardo Martino's side are now unbeaten in their last 10 MLS games, a club-record run, as well as moving to five games undefeated on the road – another first for Miami.

In stark contrast, Vanni Sartini's Whitecaps are without victory in their last six MLS matches, last suffering as long as a winless streak between October 2022 and March 2023.

The Whitecaps are third in the Western Conference after a 1-1 draw with New York Red Bulls last time out, completing a fine April that saw them lose just one of four matches.

Whitecaps forward White scored in that draw and may get somewhat of a hero's welcome at a packed-out BC Place after becoming Vancouver's all-time leading scorer.

"I'm really happy he could make history here at home in front of his family, in front of his friends," Sartini said of White, who moved past Camilo Sanvezzo as the club's all-time leading scorer.

"It adds a special, special flair to that, so I'm really happy for him.

"He's a player so committed that it doesn't matter if he misses a goal, or he scores the first goal, or if he misses the first touch because he's going to adjust."

Sartini even suggested his coaching has improved White, albeit in a playful manner.

"I think he scored 99%  of the goals with me as a coach, so I can even tell that maybe that it's [to] my credit," he joked. "Because I put him in the right position."

Austin are just two points but four places behind Vancouver in the West after winning four of their last five outings, having swept aside LA Galaxy 2-0 in their last match.

Verde and Black head coach Josh Wolff is not getting overly excited with that form, though.

"It's 10 games into the season so we don't get carried away," Wolff said. "When you guys [the media] are slaughtering us earlier this year, I don't get too bummed out.

"You guys do what you do. You got to pump out headlines and you got to get readers, I understand it. Whether I agree with that or not, that's what you guys choose to do."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Vancouver Whitecaps – Brian White

With a goal against the Red Bulls on Saturday, White has contributed to at least one goal in six straight matches, the longest streak by a Whitecaps player in the club’s MLS history.

The 28-year-old has found the net – or assisted – in every game since failing to do so against San Jose Earthquakes on March 10, with the Whitecaps reaping the rewards from their star forward.

Austin FC – Brad Stuver

Austin have kept clean sheets in two straight matches for only the second time in club history, also doing so in June-July 2023.

Austin kept just one clean sheet in the 25 matches in all competitions between the two streaks and their upturn in form should be somewhat credited to goalkeeper Brad Stuver, who continues to impress.

MATCH PREDICTION – VANCOUVER WHITECAPS WIN

The Whitecaps are the heavy favourites for this one, having won four of their six meetings with Austin FC (D1 L1), including recording victories in all three meetings between the sides at BC Place.

Vancouver have also equalled their best nine-match start in club history with 17 points, yet the Whitecaps have never reached the 20-point mark within their first 10 games of an MLS season.

It will be far from a routine victory, though, as Austin have won four of their last five matches (L1) following a 2-0 win over the Galaxy, including the last two in a row.

Austin have had only one winning streak longer than two games in all competitions in club history, a four-match run in June-July 2022 – but that could come to an end here.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Vancouver Whitecaps win – 46.7%

Austin FC win – 27.2%

Draw – 26.1%

The Whitecaps snapped a six-match winless run in MLS last time out, seeing out a 2-1 victory against Sporting Kansas City in midweek.

It moves them up to sixth in the Western Conference, where they will have the chance to keep their name in the mix at the top with another win.

Sartini was upbeat following their victory, but was quick to point out they would not be thinking about that result for too long.

"The good vibes [after the win] ended on Friday morning. Then we start thinking about Colorado, but we think about it in a completely different way after a win," Sartini said.

"If we beat them, we get away from them [in the table] and it would put us in a good position going into the [international] break. It's a completely different feeling, but we're very happy to approach the game in this way."

Colorado are also on 26 points, only behind Vancouver due to their inferior goal difference.

The Rapids have won only one of their last five outings, and head coach Chris Armas admits there is still work to be done if they want to get back to winning ways.

"We're a work in progress," he said. "We're going to make mistakes, we have a fairly young squad, so we will make mistakes, and we need to work on that."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Vancouver Whitecaps – Ryan Gauld

Gauld scored his fourth regular-season brace in Vancouver's win at Kansas City on Wednesday.

That saw him equal Eric Hassli, Fredy Montero, and Pedro Morales for the second-most multi-goal games for the Whitecaps, behind only Camilo Sanvezzo (eight).

Colorado Rapids – Djordje Mihailovic

Mihailovic has been involved in a goal in five of his last six MLS appearances (two goals, three assists), including the last three in a row.

The American has recorded a goal contribution in four straight appearances once before in his MLS career, doing so with CF Montreal between September and October 2021.

MATCH PREDICTION: VANCOUVER WHITECAPS WIN

The Whitecaps have lost only one of their last nine matches against the Rapids in Vancouver (won four, drawn four) dating back to October 2014, including going unbeaten in the last three at BC Place (won one, drawn two).

However, Vancouver have lost two of their last three home matches, including a 2-1 defeat to Inter Miami on Saturday.

The Whitecaps have suffered back-to-back home defeats in MLS only once since returning to BC Place in 2021, doing so in July 2022 against Minnesota United and Chicago Fire.

Colorado have lost their last two away matches, conceding eight goals along the way. The Rapids had lost only one of their previous six on the road (won three, drawn two), allowing a total of six goals in those games.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Vancouver Whitecaps – 50.3%

Draw – 25.1%

Colorado Rapids – 24.5%

The Whitecaps are flying high this season after a five-match unbeaten streak in MLS has seen them move up to fourth in the Western Conference, just eight points off top spot with two games in hand.

While many did not expect to see Vancouver sitting so high in the table, Sartini is keen to prove why there should not be any doubts about his team's capabilities.

"If we do a great job, and we win, I think it's a huge statement to tell everyone we are a top-four team, and we are not there accidentally but because we deserve it," Sartini said.

"I think that should be one of the things to ignite us for a good performance because one of the criticisms of us is we're a good team, but we botch the important games.

"I don't agree, but it's a chance to show people it's not true."

Houston have lost just one of their last nine matches, bouncing back from two without a win to beat struggling San Jose Earthquakes 1-0 on Wednesday.

They sit eighth in the tightly packed table, but head coach Ben Osborn has challenged them to rise up the rankings by extending their recent impressive run.

"We've got to be selfish. Be greedy," Olsen said.

"Try to get more [points]. It's a quick turnaround, but we've fortunately got the depth, and we've got guys champing at the bit to get involved right now."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Vancouver Whitecaps – Fafa Picault

Fafa Picault, who scored Vancouver's winner against Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday, has scored four times in six career matches against the Dynamo, for whom he played in 2021-22.

Picault only has more career regular-season goals against Orlando City (five).

Houston Dynamo – Amine Bassi

Amine Bassi recorded his team-leading eighth assist of the season, setting up Daniel Steres for the lone goal in Houston's win on Wednesday.

In the nine matches that Bassi has recorded a goal contribution this season, Houston's record is six wins, two draws and one loss, compared to three wins, five draws and six defeats when he does not.

MATCH PREDICTION: VANCOUVER WHITECAPS WIN

The Whitecaps have never lost a home match against the Dynamo (winning nine and drawing two, excluding neutral-site home games). The Whitecaps have scored in all 11 of their matches against the Dynamo in Vancouver.

Vancouver have also won three straight home matches after winning just two of their previous 11 at BC Place in all competitions (five draws, four defeats). The Whitecaps last won four in a row at home in September-October 2021.

As for Houston, they earned their fifth road win of the season on Wednesday with a 1-0 victory at San Jose Earthquakes. It is the first time Houston have won five road matches in a single regular season since 2013 (also five), while they have not won more since 2007 (seven).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Vancouver Whitecaps – 45.9%

Draw – 26.7%

Houston Dynamo – 27.4%

The Whitecaps have not lost any of their last five matches in all competitions, winning four and drawing one, leaving them sixth in the Western Conference.

With only eight points separating them from the top of the table, and Vancouver having two games in hand over some of those above them, Sartini is confident his team can challenge for a top spot.

"We have to push for the next two games at home before the rest and the Leagues Cup, so we really need to push, and then we can regroup in the last 10 games to try and get the highest position possible," Sartini said.

"We need to get points because everyone is getting points. It's really hard.

"If we keep winning, sooner or later we'll be higher than fifth or sixth. The only thing we can do is win."

Sporting Kansas City are on a three-match winning streak of their own, which has lifted them off the foot of the table.

After going through a rough patch of just one win in five before that, head coach Peter Vermes has highlighted how the squad rotation has helped him get the best out of his players.

"I am [proud]," Vermes said.

"Each time, no matter what their responsibility is — whether they are starting, playing 90 minutes or coming in the second half — the responsibility to come in and make a contribution to the team has taken on a much different effect than it did early in the season.

"It's a credit to the players because they are the ones on the field who have to do the work and make the contributions."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Vancouver Whitecaps – Brian White

Brian White has scored in four straight matches for the second time this season (also in April), the only player in MLS with multiple streaks of four or more games with a goal this season.

The only Whitecaps player to score in five straight league games was Camilo Sanvezzo in June-July 2013.

Sporting Kansas City – Erik Thommy

Erik Thommy scored his first MLS goal since April in Sporting's win over San Jose on Saturday with a strike from outside the box.

It was Sporting's 11th goal from outside the box this season, three more than any other MLS team.

MATCH PREDICTION: VANCOUVER WHITECAPS WIN

The 10 meetings between the Whitecaps and Sporting Kansas City since the start of the 2020 season have been split, with each side winning four times and drawing twice. Both sides have recorded at least one win home and away in that time.

The Whitecaps are currently unbeaten in their last five home matches in all competitions (W4 D1), including winning the last two at BC Place. Vancouver have not gone six straight home matches without defeat in all competitions since October-November 2021.

However, Kansas City have won three of their last four regular-season matches after opening the season with three wins in their first 20 games (D5 L12). Saturday's win, 2-1 at San Jose Earthquakes, snapped an eight-match road losing streak in league play for Sporting.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Vancouver Whitecaps – 50.2%

Draw – 25.2%

Sporting Kansas City – 24.6%

The Whitecaps endured a disappointing two-game road stretch, culminating in their 2-0 defeat to Portland Timbers last time out.

That loss saw Vancouver drop to ninth in the Western Conference standings, only clinging onto the final playoff spot by way of a superior goal difference over Seattle Sounders.

Sartini acknowledged the frustrations of the last two showings, though suggests the Whitecaps can get back on course at BC Place.

"The concerns are always there, even if you win," Sartini said at pre-match media availability.

"It sounds very easy to say, but we just need to be a little better. That means a lot of things, however. Our performance hasn't gone down dramatically.

"The efficiency of our performances has gone down dramatically, though. We need to be better at finishing our chances, and being mentally stronger.

"The last couple of games before the break, we had two strong mental performances [in Kansas and Colorado]. Even though we weren't playing amazingly, we weren't making mistakes.

"The last two games away, we created more chances than in the games before, but we have been too easy to beat, we get a little flat when we hit the first trouble of those matches.

"We need to be more confident, courageous and more like: 'let's focus on the task'. If we are doing this, then the margin to make a lot of points is shorter."

Bradley Carnell's visitors are winless in their last eight domestic outings following a 1-1 draw with Atlanta United in their most recent fixture.

St. Louis are just three places behind the Whitecaps, though, with this the chance to strike a blow to their hosts' playoff hopes.

Carnell must arrest a poor spell in front of goal, however, as St. Louis have scored the second-fewest goals in the West this season (24).

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Vancouver Whitecaps – Ryan Gauld

Ryan Gauld has followed up his 11-goal 2023 with nine goals already this season.

With one more goal, Gauld will become the third Whitecaps player with multiple 10-goal seasons (Camilo Sanvezzo, Brian White) and the first to do so in consecutive campaigns.

St. Louis City – Indiana Vassilev

Indiana Vassilev scored his fifth regular-season goal for St. Louis on Saturday, becoming the sixth different player to hit the mark for the club in league play.

Only three teams have more players with five or more regular-season goals than St. Louis since they joined the league in 2023 (Real Salt Lake, Minnesota United, FC Cincinnati – seven each).

MATCH PREDICTION – VANCOUVER WHITECAPS WIN

The Whitecaps are the likely favourites for a narrow victory in this one, owing to St. Louis' woeful away form.

Carnell's side have managed only three wins in 26 games on the road in all competitions (drawn eight, lost 15) since winning their first three away matches in club history between February and March 2023.

Yet, it will be by no means straightforward for Vancouver.

They have lost consecutive matches following the defeat to Portland on Saturday, but Vancouver have not suffered three straight defeats within a single regular season since August-September 2022.

There is little to split these two teams in terms of the head-to-head record, with each side recording a home win against the other in two meetings between Vancouver and St. Louis City last season.

The hosts scored three goals in each game, while Brian White scored in both outings for the Whitecaps.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Vancouver Whitecaps win – 51.1%

Draw – 24.8%

St. Louis City win – 24%