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• Atlanta United v Los Angeles FC: Pineda insists Five Stripes 'on the right path'

  Gonzalo Pineda insists Atlanta United "are on the right path" as they look to get back to winning ways in MLS.

  The Five Stripes are 12th in the Eastern Conference following a run of eight matches without victory.

  Although, they enjoyed a reprieve in the U.S. Open Cup last time out, defeating Charleston Battery on penalties to reach the quarter-finals.

  And Pineda hopes his side can build on that momentum when they welcome Los Angeles to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. 

  "I think we are on the right path," he said. "I think it is really encouraging for the team, for the mentality of the team, to win. 

  "There are many positives out of that. We have to hold onto that positivity, and the mentality of the players that fought and put that together on Saturday."

  "I think that, especially being at home, we need to make sure we are on the front foot right away," midfielder Dax McCarty added.

  "Obviously, our stadium is such a fortress. When you score an early goal, you get everyone excited and the other team feels that pressure, which is such a benefit."

  By contrast, LAFC are fifth in the West and on a four-match winning streak across all competitions – during which they have scored 11 goals and conceded just once.

  "The team is in a good way – winning games, scoring goals and not conceding – and we'd like to continue that," head coach Steve Cherundolo said.

  "We feel good about the moment we're in, and our players are confident. 

  "The players have shown an amazing response [to their defeat by San Jose Earthquakes at the start of the month]. We were shooting ourselves in the foot by making some mistakes in portions of the field where we don't usually do that.

  "The message was that we are really in control of our own destiny, which is a great place to be."

  PLAYERS TO WATCH

  Atlanta United – Thiago Almada

  Atlanta will be hoping for inspiration from the likes of Almada as they look to end their winless streak.

  The Argentina international has scored in two of their last three league games on home soil.

  Los Angeles FC – Denis Bouanga

  Bouanga scored both goals in LAFC’s 2-0 win over St. Louis City last time out in MLS.

  He has now found the net 33 times since the start of last season (including play-offs), seven more than any other player during that time.

  MATCH PREDICTION: LOS ANGELES FC

  Only once in their MLS history have Atlanta endured a longer winless streak, going 12 straight games without victory between May and August 2021.

  Meanwhile, LAFC have won successive games to nil for the first time during the regular season since August 2022.

  That came after they recorded just one victory while keeping a clean sheet in their previous 21 such matches.

  OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

  Atlanta United: 38.2%
  Los Angeles FC: 32.8%
  Draw: 29.0%

• Al-Riyadh 2-2 Al-Nassr: Laporte sent off for punch as Al-Nemer salvages point

  Former Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte was sent off for punching Mohammed Al-Aqel on the arm as Al-Nassr played out a 2-2 draw with Al-Riyadh in the Saudi Pro League.

  Meshari Al-Nemer's 97th-minute strike salvaged a point for Al-Nassr, who had trailed for over half the game and played with a one-man disadvantage for over half an hour.

  Otavio had put Al-Nassr ahead only for Andre Gray to drag the hosts level, before Al-Aqel gave David Ospina no chance with a terrific overhead kick to make it 2-1.

  Al-Nassr's position was put in further jeopardy when Laporte was sent off following a bizarre off-the-ball incident which saw him grab and punch Al-Aqel on the elbow, while Cristiano Ronaldo came up with a glaring miss from Sadio Mane's pass across the six-yard box.

  Al-Nemer levelled at the death for Al-Nassr, though they still sit some 14 points adrift of champions Al-Hilal, who could complete an unbeaten season against Al-Wehda on Monday.

  Data Debrief: Laporte's horror show

  It was a game to forget for Laporte, whose bizarre punch on Al-Aqel put Al-Nassr up against it versus a team still in danger of relegation.

  Laporte did not attempt a single tackle in the game while his four duels contested were the joint-fewest of every outfield starter (alongside Khalid Al-Shuwayyi). He was also sent off in Al-Nassr's AFC Champions League quarter-final tie against Al Ain in March.

• Putellas signs two-year deal with Barcelona

  Barcelona midfielder Alexia Putellas has signed a two-year deal until 2026, the club announced on Thursday.

  Putellas was due to be out of contract next month, but extends her 12-year relationship with Barcelona, with the new deal also including an option for an additional season.

  The 30-year-old is a two-time Ballon d’Or winner in 2021 and 2022, though she has struggled with injuries that have kept her sidelined since winning the second.

  Overall, she has made 424 appearances, scoring a record 189 goals for the club, playing a pivotal role in Barcelona’s recent domination in women’s football.

  Putellas has won 29 major trophies with Barcelona and is looking for another on Saturday when they face Lyon in the Champions League final.

  Having already clinched Liga F, the Copa de la Reina and the Spanish Supercopa this season, Putellas can help Barcelona to complete an unprecedented quadruple with a win over the French champions.