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• ​New York City v FC Cincinnati: Cushing wants champions' mentality after derby rout

  Nick Cushing credited New York City's resilience after they inflicted a crushing derby loss on the New York Red Bulls, calling on them to carry that momentum into Wednesday's meeting with FC Cincinnati.

  NYCFC were routed 5-1 by the Philadelphia Union just two weeks ago, but they responded by thrashing their cross-city rivals by the same scoreline on the road on Saturday.

  That result lifted them to fifth in the Eastern Conference and within one win of sealing a playoff place, something their next opponents Cincinnati have already done.

  Reflecting on NYCFC's last result, Cushing said: "I've got some things to say about the 5-1 loss. A lot of the way that I see that game is in a boxing metaphor. 

  "I know there are many champion boxers that have been champion and have been knocked out in the first round, and they don't retire. They go back to the training ring. 

  "They go back to the gym, and they come back and become champions again. It's difficult and you have to accept it. Now our focus turns to Cincinnati."

  Cincinnati, meanwhile, have seen their hopes of retaining the Supporters' Shield all but extinguished after losing 1-0 at home to Los Angeles FC last time out.

  With the MLS Cup now the Orange and Blue's target, Pat Noonan is focused on getting the best out of star midfielder Luciano Acosta, who has been battling a niggling injury.

  Noonan said of Acosta: "The more games he gets, the better going into the playoffs. 

  "He's had enough games and been back without physical limitations but obviously he did take that knock.

  "A lot of times our attack does go through him and when he's on it, he's on it. It's just about us trying to find good spots for him."

  PLAYERS TO WATCH

  New York City – Alonso Martinez

  Martinez netted twice in NYCFC's derby rout of the Red Bulls last time out, pulling further clear at the top of the club's scoring charts for 2024 with 14 MLS goals. 

  He also has five goals in New York's last three regular-season home games, last failing to net in such a match in late June.

  FC Cincinnati – Luciano Acosta

  Acosta has 28 goal involvements (12 goals, 16 assists) in MLS this season, a tally only bettered by Portland Timbers star Evander (29 – 15 goals and 14 assists). 

  No player can match Acosta's 98 chances created in the league this year, though, and he will be key if Cincinnati are to seriously challenge for the MLS Cup in the coming weeks.

  MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW

  Cincinnati saw their four-game unbeaten run in MLS play (two wins, two draws) brought to an end with their defeat to LAFC last time out. 

  They have gone unbeaten through their last five MLS matches against NYCFC, winning three and drawing two while outscoring their opponents 12-6 in those games.

  However, NYCFC have only lost two of their last eight MLS games on home soil (four wins, two draws), versus the MLS Cup holders, the Columbus Crew, and the Union. A draw could be on the cards on Wednesday.

  OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

  New York City – 36.7%

  FC Cincinnati – 37.1%

  Draw – 26.3%

• Al Kholood 2-4 Al-Hilal: Koulibaly on target as champions move to summit

  Al-Hilal withstood a late Al Kholood rally to move top of the Saudi Pro League following a 4-2 victory at King Abdullah Sport City Stadium.

  The damage was done during a late first-half surge by the reigning champions, who leapfrogged Al-Ittihad to the summit of the table.

  Al-Hilal broke the deadlock in the 38th minute through former Napoli and Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly, who finished after Renan Lodi initially struck the woodwork.

  Malcom doubled the lead four minutes later, then Ali Al Bulayhi made it 3-0 in first-half stoppage time.

  Former Atletico Madrid and Nottingham Forest defender Lodi then got in the act to make it four within three minutes of the restart.

  The hosts finished the contest the stronger of the two sides with Hammam Al Hammami and a William Troost-Ekong penalty halving the deficit, but that rally could not prevent the visitors from remaining perfect after their first five games.

  Data Debrief: Al-Hilal remain perfect

  Al-Hilal have won each of their opening five games in a Saudi Pro League season for the third time in their history, also achieving the feat in 2010-11 and 2018-19.

  Jorge Jesus' side also continued their dominant record against newly promoted clubs, having now won each of their last nine such matches.

  Despite their late surge, Al Kholood suffered their third defeat of the season, though there was individual cause for celebration, as former Al-Hilal player Mohammed Jahfali came on for his 200th Saudi Pro League appearance.

   

• International record goalscorer Sinclair to retire after NWSL season

  Christine Sinclair, the all-time record goalscorer in international football, will retire at the end of the National Women’s Soccer League in November.

  Sinclair, 41, has 190 goals in 331 appearances for Canada, making her the top scorer across both men's and women's football.

  She has played for the NWSL's Portland Thorns since 2013, helping them to win the inaugural title that year. She added further league crowns to her collection in 2017 and 2022.

  The Canadian great has had similar success with her national team, winning a gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. She is also one of three players to score at five World Cups, alongside Brazil's Marta and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo.

  Sinclair retired from international football in December 2023, and will now call time on her club career.

  "Portland, thank you will never be enough. Soccer has been my passion since I was four years old and it has taken me on a journey I could never have imagined," Sinclair wrote on Instagram.

  "As I finish out this last ride, I want to say what a privilege it has been to represent this unique, beautiful, and passionate city that I will always call home."