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• Philadelphia Union v Nashville SC: Curtin hails record breaker Sullivan

  Jim Curtin hailed Cavan Sullivan after he became the youngest player in MLS history this week, with more minutes potentially on the horizon when the Philadelphia Union face Nashville SC.

  Sullivan replaced Tai Baribo, who scored a hat-trick, for the final five minutes as the Union ended a near-four-month wait for a home win by thrashing the New England Revolution 5-1.

  At just 14 years of age, Sullivan has surpassed Freddy Adu as the youngest ever MLS player, also becoming the youngest debutant among the top North American professional sports leagues and the big five European leagues, UEFA Champions League and Europa League, dating back to 1988.

  "It was a special, special night," Union head coach Curtin said afterwards. "The place had a buzz. This is just the first chapter in Cavan's career. 

  "For those that don't know, we do have a plan for him. It's not just minute by minute or day by day; there is a plan in place. 

  "You guys don't get to see him every day in training, but the staff does, and the time was right to give him an opportunity.

  "The reality is, guys, he's not a normal kid. We've known that from the start. Because he's different, he has a different plan and a different trajectory to other players in our group."

  Sullivan's second senior outing could come against a Nashville team sitting 10th in the Eastern Conference, two points above Philadelphia, but looking over their shoulders after five straight defeats.

  The latest of those losses – a comprehensive 3-0 reverse against Orlando City – led forward Jacob Shaffelburg to demand better.

  "We haven't been playing well for the fans" Shaffelburg said. 

  "They should know that we're trying our hardest, we're working hard, but they do deserve better. We got to give them better."

  PLAYERS TO WATCH

  Philadelphia Union – Tai Baribo

  On Wednesday, Baribo became the first Israeli player in MLS history to score a hat-trick. 

  Israel is the 50th different nation to produce a player that scored at least three goals in an MLS match.

  Nashville SC – Hany Mukhtar 

  Nashville attempted eight shots in their defeat to Orlando on Wednesday, the 12th time this season they have been held to fewer than 10 shots in an MLS match. 

  Mukhtar (41) has created more than twice as many chances as his next closest team-mate this year, with Sam Surridge teeing up 17 attempts. His creativity could be key.

  MATCH PREDICTION: PHILADELPHIA UNION WIN

  Nashville have lost five straight matches for the first time in club history with three of those defeats coming on the road. 

  They have managed only two wins in their last 12 away from home across all competitions (three draws, seven defeats), so approach this one as clear outsiders.

  The Union, meanwhile, are unbeaten in their last six meetings with Nashville, winning three and drawing three, including a 2-1 road victory in early April.

  OPTA WIN PROBABILITY 

  Philadelphia Union – 45.1%

  Nashville SC – 28%

  Draw – 26.9%

• New England Revolution v FC Dallas: Result all that matters to Porter

  Caleb Porter says the New England Revolution need a result "by any means possible" as they prepare to face FC Dallas in their last MLS game before the Leagues Cup break.

  The Revs have lost three straight matches and four of their last five, their latest defeat coming by a 5-1 scoreline versus the Philadelphia Union in midweek.

  They are bottom of the Eastern Conference, already 11 points adrift of a guaranteed playoff place and five off the play-in spots, yet Porter remains positive.

  "We have to be better. I still feel very good about our chances but certainly, a win on Saturday would go a long way to setting us up ahead of the Leagues Cup and the run-in," Porter said.

  "I still feel very good about our chances, we've got games in hand. We should be healthier in those games.

  "What I'm looking for is a result by any means possible."

  Dallas, meanwhile, sit 11th in the West but are looking up after a difficult start, making it three wins from their last four matches in midweek.

  After their 3-1 derby win over Austin FC, interim head coach Peter Luccin said courageous play will be key if they are to continue moving forward.

  "This is FC Dallas' style, we want to play from the back. I like the ball, I think the team likes the ball, but to play from the back, we need courage to show in the right moments," he said.

  "This is a thing that we'll have to improve because in the very specific and important moments, we didn't show for the ball. 

  "But we are working on that and it's going to take time. Right now what we can see and I think what everybody can see is that the team is ready to compete. The team is competing every single game."

  PLAYERS TO WATCH

  New England Revolution – Xavier Arreaga 

  The Revs' 5-1 defeat at Philadelphia on Wednesday was the third time they have conceded five or more goals in all competitions this season after not doing so once from 2020 to 2023. 

  Centre-back Arreaga will be key if they are to atone for that showing here.

  FC Dallas – Petar Musa 

  Musa has scored in four straight MLS matches, the longest streak by a Dallas player since Paul Arriola did so in five straight in May 2022. 

  Musa and Arriola are the only Dallas players to score in at least four straight league matches over the last six seasons.

  MATCH PREDICTION: NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION WIN

  After winning five of six matches from early June to early July, New England have lost three league games in a row. This is the Revs' fourth losing streak of three or more games this regular season.

  However, they did beat Dallas in the teams' last head-to-head meeting in March 2022, having failed to win any of their previous 10 against them (one draw, nine losses) since 2012.

  Dallas' recent victories, however, have all come at home, failing to win any of their last 13 road games since last October (three draws, 10 losses). Perhaps this game represents an opportunity for slumping New England.

  OPTA WIN PROBABILITY 

  New England Revolution – 41.5%

  FC Dallas – 31.8%

  Draw – 26.7%

• Branthwaite focused on new season with Everton amid Man Utd interest

  Jarrad Branthwaite says he is feeling confident and ready to "keep learning" with Everton ahead of the new season, despite interest from Manchester United.

  The Red Devils have seen two offers rejected for the 22-year-old defender, who is valued between £70-£80million by the Toffees.

  Branthwaite made 41 appearances for Everton last term, with his impressive performances earning him the club's Players' Player of the Season and Young Player of the Season awards.

  He also received his first senior England call-up and was named in Gareth Southgate's provisional Euro 2024 squad, though he was ultimately left out of the final 26.

  And Branthwaite hopes he can continue building on that momentum heading into the 2024-25 campaign.

  "I think for me, it's just about taking what I learned from last season, and the season before, and putting it all together," he told Everton's official website.

  "I think last season, playing all the games I did, helped me put performances in and get the experience I needed. I'm going to take that into this season and keep learning.

  "When you've got a good defensive record, it gives you confidence going into the new season.

  "It's not just the defenders who contribute to that, it's the whole team, and it's the way the manager has us set up to give us the best possible chance to win games and to pick up as many points as we can.

  "I think it'll be the same again this season. Hopefully, we can pick up a few wins early on and get the momentum going in the new season."

  Everton also confirmed on Friday that The Friedkin Group will not be buying a majority stake in the club, having been granted a period of exclusivity last month.