New York RB claimed a vital win in their hopes for the Eastern Conference's first seed on Sunday, taking the three points deep in heart of Texas with a 4-3 victory over Austin FC.
NYRB had to hold in final stages after leading by three goals at one stage, with goals from Sebastian Driussi and Ethan Finlay bringing Austin back in the contest, but Gerhard Struber's side deservedly took the win to keep up with Philadelphia Union and New York City.
First-half goals from Serge Ngoma and Dru Yearwood had the visitors up 2-1 at the interval after Driussi's first of the night, but Yearwood then set up Cameron Harper, who deftly cut inside Ruben Gabrielsen and finished to make it 3-1 after 51 minutes.
Substitute Tom Barlow made it 4-1 14 minutes later with a thumping finish on the half-volley straight from Carlos Coronel's goal-kick.
Following Union and City's wins on Saturday, NYRB restored their gap to the Eastern Conference's top two to five points with the win and joined Austin in earning the most wins on the road this season, with seven.
Los Angeles Galaxy marginally moved back into the Western Conference's playoff spots in Sunday's later game, defeating Atlanta United 2-0.
Needing the three points after losing their previous three games, the Galaxy hit the lead in only the seventh minute through Kevin Cabral.
They sought to absorb pressure in the second half with only 35.7 per cent possession, before substitute Dejan Joveljic eventually scored the sealer on the break in added time.
Greg Vanney's side moved into seventh in the Western Conference with the win, leapfrogging Portland Timbers despitte both being on 30 points, having secured two more wins.
Football rumours: Arsenal keen on signing Alexander Isak and Michael Olise
The Guardian reports that Arsenal are considering bringing in a striker and winger this summer, with Newcastle forward Alexander Isak and Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise among their targets.
Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann has managerial options outside of Bayern Munich and will make a decision in the next week or so, his agent says via the Metro.
Ex-Liverpool and Everton boss Rafael Benitez will take over as manager at Sao Paulo, less than month after he was sacked by Celta Vigo, claims The Sun.
Chelsea are preparing for offers from Liverpool and Ligue 1 outfit Paris St Germain for England international defender Levi Colwill.
Social media round-upPlayers to watchBenjamin Sesko: Chelsea and Manchester United are monitoring the RB Leipzig forward, who has a 50 million euro (£42.8 million) release clause, says Ben Jacobs.
Serge Gnabry: Tottenham are interested in the former Arsenal forward, with Bayern Munich willing to sell the Germany international, reports Football Insider.
On this day in 2021: Spurs sack Jose Mourinho days before Carabao Cup final
Jose Mourinho was sacked as manager of Tottenham on this day in 2021, less than a week before he was due to lead them out for the Carabao Cup final.
Spurs’ Premier League form was what ultimately cost the Portuguese his job, with his last match in charge a 2-2 draw with Everton which left Tottenham seventh, five points off the Champions League places and with just one win from their last five league games.
Mourinho’s dismissal after just 17 months at the helm was announced hours after Tottenham had confirmed they intended to join a breakaway European Super League, plans that were swiftly aborted after fans’ backlash, although that was unrelated to the Portuguese’s axing.
The 58-year-old was denied the chance of delivering the club’s first piece of silverware in 13 years, with academy coach Ryan Mason put in caretaker charge as Tottenham lost 1-0 to Manchester City in the EFL Cup showpiece.
Spurs striker Harry Kane, whose form that season had been a bright spot with 47 goal contributions in 43 games, wrote on Twitter: “Thank you for everything Boss. A pleasure to have worked together. I wish you all the best for your next chapter.”
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy spoke of his regret following Mourinho’s departure, having long coveted the former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss.
Levy said on the club’s official website: “Jose and his coaching staff have been with us through some of our most challenging times as a club.
“Jose is a true professional who showed enormous resilience during the (Covid-19) pandemic. On a personal level I have enjoyed working with him and regret that things have not worked out as we both had envisaged.
“He will always be welcome here and we should like to thank him and his coaching staff for their contribution.”
Mason remained steward until the end of the season before making way for Mourinho’s fellow Portuguese Nuno Espirito Santo, who had a disappointing four-month spell in charge
FC Halifax back in the play-off places after draw with Oldham
FC Halifax moved back into the play-off places in the National League as Adan George rescued a point in a 2-2 draw at home to Oldham.
The visitors took the lead in the 18th minute through Dan Gardner’s half-volley from a corner before Rob Harker levelled for the home side a minute into first-half stoppage time, smashing the ball home.
Oldham were awarded a penalty when Joe Garner was fouled in the box and Gardner restored Latics’ lead from the penalty spot in the 58th minute, but The Shaymen levelled again in the 72nd minute through substitute George’s smart finish from a narrow angle.
Halifax climb back into the play-off spots on goal difference where they are tied on 68 points with Aldershot, while Oldham remain 10th.
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