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• Vancouver Whitecaps v FC Dallas: Armstrong hoping to play starring role in playoff push

  Vancouver Whitecaps' latest arrival, Stuart Armstrong, is relishing the challenge of the MLS as he aims to aid his new side’s push for the playoffs, starting with FC Dallas this weekend.

  Armstrong, who arrived at BC Place as a free agent following his release from Southampton last season, provides a wealth of international and domestic experience for Vanni Sartini’s team.

  The Whitecaps returned to league action last week with a win over Austin FC, leaving them fifth in the Western Conference table, four points behind Colorado Rapids with two games in hand.

  And Armstrong, who will reunite with former Dundee United team-mate Ryan Gauld at the club, provided insight into what fans can expect from him for the remainder of the campaign.

  "Hopefully, I can bring position play from back to front and connect the midfield to the forward line. Hopefully I can chip in with some creativity, some goals and assists too," Amstrong said.

  "Every player I speak to says to me that the changing room's the best they've experienced in their career. The first player that said that to me was Ryan (Gauld) and I didn't believe him.

  "Once more and more, every player says it, you begin to believe it. And having met the boys, a few boys yesterday and everyone today and a few more when they come back, I can re-affirm that everyone's a very good guy and a very good changing room to be a part of."

  FC Dallas, meanwhile, were on the wrong end of a five-goal thriller against the Rapids last time out, with Darren Yapi’s 93rd minute winner sealing the victory for the away side.

  The Toros twice led the encounter but were unable to build on their dramatic win over DC United in their first MLS fixture since their disappointing run in the Leagues Cup.

  Interim head coach Peter Luccin acknowledged his side must improve to have a chance of reaching the playoffs as they sit 11th in the standings, identifying his team’s home form as a particular area to strengthen.

  “We knew from the beginning that we had to get points on the road,” Luccin said. “Now we are doing the opposite, now we are winning on the road and losing at home.

  “It would be great to now do both at the same time, but in the end, I am not saying that it was crucial today that we lost three points, but it was important.

  “But the content of the game, is a concern. We have to learn, because today was not good enough.”

  PLAYERS TO WATCH

  Vancouver Whitecaps – Ryan Gauld

  Gauld assisted Vancouver’s only goal against Austin last time out, his 10th assist of the season to go along with his nine goals.

  The Scot, who recorded 11 goals and 12 assists last year, could become the first Whitecaps player to notch 10 goals and 10 assists in multiple MLS seasons.

  FC Dallas – Petar Musa

  Musa came off the bench to score for Dallas on Saturday, his fifth straight regular season appearance with a goal.

  Only Jeff Cunningham (six in 2009) and Carlos Ruiz (seven in 2006) have had longer scoring streaks in FC Dallas’ MLS history.

  MATCH PREDICTION: VANCOUVER WHITECAPS WIN

  The Whitecaps have lost only one of their last nine meetings with FC Dallas dating back to 2019 (W5 D3), including going unbeaten at home against Dallas in that time (W3 D1).

  They have also won five of their last seven regular season matches (D1 L1), including a 1-0 victory over Austin. The 1-0 win marked Vancouver’s first clean sheet in league play since a scoreless draw against the same opposition in May.

  However, Dallas’ 4-3 win against DC United marked a rare away victory. The last time they recorded back-to-back triumphs on the road in the MLS was in May 2018, when they secured wins against Toronto FC and LA Galaxy.

  OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

  Vancouver Whitecaps – 50.2%

  Draw – 25.2%

  FC Dallas – 24.6%

• Gibbs-White: England job 'suits Carsley perfectly'

  Morgan Gibbs-White believes Lee Carsley is a perfect fit for the England job and has backed the interim head coach to get the full-time position.

  Gibbs-White is one of four new players, along with Angel Gomes, Tino Livramento and Noni Madueke, to be called up in Carsley's first England squad for the start of their Nations League campaign.

  The Nottingham Forest captain was a key player for Carsley in the U21s, making 15 appearances under him, and was also part of the Under-21 European Championship win last year.

  England won all six of their matches at the tournament in Romania and Georgia, scoring 11 goals and overperforming their expected goals (xG) figures by 2.5.

  Their defensive solidity was just as important to their success though, as they did not concede a single goal from 79 shots faced.

  And Gibbs-White thinks that with his credentials, Carsley should be a real contender to become the permanent England manager.

  "I know how he works, he's a great manager tactically, man-management is great," Gibbs-White said.

  "I was buzzing when I found out that he got the job as he really deserved it, and I feel like it suits him perfectly.

  "Hopefully the games go well for him, and you never know what the future holds."

  Madueke, another of the players to make the move up from England U21, also has faith that Carsley will do well in the role.

  The Chelsea winger made 19 appearances under the 50-year-old, with only Taylor Harwood-Belis (21) being handed more caps than him.

  "He has great ideas, and he is also able to implement the way he wants to play, like in your mind, and make it easy for you," Madueke told BBC Radio 5 Live. "I feel as though all of the top managers have that.

  "Definitely I couldn't speak more highly of him. I feel as though he is a great manager. I feel as though he knows the pathway, he knows the system.

  "He knows the FA; he has been working at the FA for a long time. [He is] similar to Gareth [Southgate] in that sense, so I hope he can do extremely well.

  "I have got all the belief in him for sure."

  England begin their Nations League campaign against the Republic of Ireland in League B Group 2 before hosting Finland on Tuesday. 

• Reggae Boyz captain and JustBet ambassador Andre Blake donates JMD$500,000 to Clarendon College in support of athletic development

   Reggae Boyz Captain and JustBet Ambassador Andre Blake made a significant contribution to his alma mater, Clarendon College, by donating $500,000 to support the school's athletic and infrastructural development. This donation reflects Blake's ongoing commitment to giving back to the community that helped shape his personal and professional life.

  

  
  At a special handing over ceremony at the school on Tuesday September 3, 2024, Blake, a proud alumnus, expressed his deep gratitude for the role the institution played in his early development. "Clarendon College was one of the key institutions that contributed to my growth as a footballer and a person. The school means a lot to me, and I'm honoured to be able to give back in a meaningful way," Blake said. "I hope this donation will inspire the students here to pursue their dreams, both in academics and athletics."

  
  The $500,000 donation, which was facilitated through Blake’s partnership with the Supreme Ventures Foundation and Sagicor Foundation, will be used to expand the school’s football playing facilities creating better opportunities for students in sports to develop their skills.

  Principal David Wilson expressed his appreciation for the donation, noting its positive impact on the school's programs. "We are extremely grateful to Andre Blake and the Supreme Ventures Foundation for their generous contribution that will help us greatly enhance the sporting experience for our students," Wilson said.

  
  Blake, who currently plays for the Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer (MLS) and serves as captain of the Jamaican national team, has a long-standing commitment to philanthropy and youth development. His donation to Clarendon College is part of his broader effort to support the next generation of athletes and leaders in Jamaica.