Goals from Pascal Struijk and Mateo Joseph fired Leeds to a 2-0 derby win over Sheffield United, taking them above the Blades and into second in the Championship table.

Struijk met Joe Rothwell's flat corner-kick delivery with a crashing strike that hit the roof of the net after 69 minutes, before Joseph came off the bench to seal the points with a close-range finish.

Chris Wilder's visitors, who entered the game as the only unbeaten side in the Football League in 2024-25, had earlier defended resolutely to prevent Leeds from turning their dominance of possession into clear-cut chances.

Largie Ramazani went closest to the breakthrough in the first half as his low drive was repelled by Blades goalkeeper Michael Cooper, while Brenden Aaronson volleyed wide of the near post shortly before the break.

Sheffield United briefly improved after the restart as Joe Rodon's block diverted Ollie Arblaster's drive wide, but the Blades were caught out from a set-piece soon afterwards.

Struijk was not tracked as he raced onto Rothwell's clever corner to blast home, just the fourth goal Sheffield United had conceded in league play this season and the first since August 24.

With Sheffield United throwing men forward, Leeds made certain of the result in the 90th minute, Joseph taking in Joel Piroe's pass before sliding his finish into the bottom-left corner.

Data Debrief: Leeds maintain derby hoodoo

Leeds' victory extended their unbeaten streak in Yorkshire derbies to 16 league matches (12 wins, four draws), with their last such defeat coming against Sheffield Wednesday in the second tier in January 2020.

It is their longest ever such run against Yorkshire rivals, while they have also recorded three straight league victories over the Blades, who they beat twice in the Premier League in 2020-21 (1-0 away, 2-1 home).

Despite naming a few newcomers in his squad to face France in a much-anticipated friendly, senior Reggae Girlz Head Coach Hubert Busby says the objective remains to continue building out a playing model to ensure they improve their competitiveness ahead of next year’s World Cup qualifiers.

Busby will be without talismanic striker Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw and defender Konya Plummer for the October 25 encounter away to France due to passport issues.

However, the tactician believes the absence of those two key players, as well as his university representatives, provides an opportunity for the newcomers—Taylor Hinds, Lulu Jarvis, Reanna Blades, and Natasha Thomas—in particular to fit in and show that they belong.

“So we're really excited. We'd spoken to Taylor Hinds a few years ago and we're glad that she's in our squad to come in and embed within what we're trying to do. Lulu Jarvis is another young player that we've been monitoring; she just made a move from Brighton to Plymouth. At 20 years of age, she's another up-and-coming player,” Busby shared during a virtual press conference on Friday.

He continued: “The same with Reanna Blades, who was on the books of Chelsea but just moved to Burnley. I credit a lot of these players who, it might seem like they are dropping down a level, but they're looking to invest in themselves and to play as opposed to necessarily stagnate their growth and development by staying at what would be considered a bigger club but not necessarily getting the minutes that they need.

Reggae Girlz in action against France at last year's World Cup.

“Natasha Thomas is someone who's kind of reached out. We've been monitoring her well, so we're looking to bring her in and see how she fits in. Davia Richards has come through the programme and has done well with Frazsiers Whip through all those different experiences. We're looking to see how she fits in with this group as well as we continue to evaluate all the players from the Gold Cup (qualifiers).”

These fresh faces are expected to bring energy and a renewed sense of competition, something Busby believes is crucial as the team builds toward future challenges, including the 2025 World Cup qualifiers.

In fact, he believes the squad strikes the right balance, as the experience of Allyson Swaby, Jody Brown, Drew Spence, and others will be vital against a formidable French side ranked among the best in the world.

The two teams last met at last year’s Fifa Women’s World Cup in Australia, where the gritty Girlz held their more illustrious opponents to a goalless stalemate.

“The expectation really is for us to continue to work on our playing model. I think it's important for us to also continue to build on our playing principles so that we can ensure that we're flexible in and out of possession. We want to be a team that continues to use the ball and is known for a good defensive base,” Busby reasoned.

“So the most important thing is, yes, results are always the main thing at senior international play, but the longer-term picture is for us to be successful come next year when we're in our first round of qualifying for the World Cup. I think that's really the main goal is for us to be peaking at that sort of time, heading into those qualifiers,” he added.

Deon Burton to serve as Reggae Girlz assistant coach.

That said, Busby pointed out that this friendly against France, as well as the two against South Africa on November 29 and December 2 in Jamaica, are the stern tests he requires in a bid to build a team capable of sustained success on the world stage.

“We are deliberate in the games that we're playing and trying to play as many top ten, top 20 opponents as possible to ensure that we are tested heading into World Cup qualifiers in arguably one of the top confederations in the world when it comes to women's football. So, a lot of work has gone into it and obviously, we're looking forward to this camp and looking forward to taking a look at some players and embedding some, even some new staff, into the programme as well,” the former national goalkeeper noted.

That new staff Busby refers to is former Reggae Boy Deon Burton coming aboard as an assistant, joining Xavier Gilbert in the position, while Renee Balconi of Houston Dash will be the Girlz strength and conditioning coach.

Squad: Rebecca spencer, Sydney Schneider, Chantelle Swaby, Allyson Swaby, Taylor Hinds, Deneisha Blackwood, Vyan Sampson, Maliah Atkins, Lulu Jarvis, Atlanta Primus, Jade Bailey, Drew Spence, Sade Adamolekun Reanna Blades, Natasha Thomas, Paige Bailey-Gayle, Kayla McKenna, Jody Brown, Shania Hayles, Tiffany Cameron, Davia Richards, Mikayla Dayes

Erik ten Hag claims his critics have invented "lies and fairytales" about his Manchester United tenure as his Old Trafford future continues to be questioned.

Ten Hag has overseen United's worst-ever start to a Premier League season, with the Red Devils emerging from the international break with just eight points from seven games.

They have also failed to score in any of their last three league matches – losing 3-0 at home to Tottenham between goalless draws with Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.

There were suggestions Ten Hag's future was up for discussion when members of United's new leadership group – including Jim Ratcliffe – met with Joel Glazer during the hiatus, but the Dutchman is bullish regarding his position.

Asked if he had received assurances regarding his future from United's hierarchy, Ten Hag said on Friday: "No.

"The noises came from the media, some of you, not all of you. Some of you are coming up with stories, creating stories, creating fairytales, bringing noise, bringing lies.

"I know we are all on one page at this club. I've said this before the break to some journalists who probably didn't believe me as I saw the reports. Internally at the club it's quiet.

"Of course we are discussing the position we are in and we're unhappy with that. We have to turn the corner and that's the strategy to turn this corner. 

"We are quiet and composed, we stick to the plan and are convinced we will turn the corner.

"Underneath I see good things, good patterns and good stats that confirm we are in a good direction, but the ranking is not lying. We are where we are and that's not good enough."

United's underlying metrics, however, do not make for encouraging reading for Ten Hag.

The Red Devils' tally of 11.11 expected goals (xG) this campaign is only good enough to rank them eighth in the Premier League, behind Saturday's opponents Brentford.

Meanwhile, only six teams – three of whom are yet to win – have conceded more expected goals against (xGA) than United's 11.54.

Opta's expected points model, meanwhile, suggests United's performances have only warranted a marginal upturn, with their figure of 10.4 expected points only putting them 10th.

Pablo Mastroeni is not shying away from Real Salt Lake's desire to make club history when they conclude their regular-season campaign against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday.

RSL have been among the Western Conference pacesetters all season and enter the final MLS matchday fourth with 56 points from 33 matches.

One more victory will set a new single-season franchise record, a fact Mastroeni reminded his players of before they beat the San Jose Earthquakes 1-0 before the international break.

"I normally focus on just the one game, but the only way to get to 59 was to make sure we won in San Jose," Mastroeni told KSL Sports.

"It's about just putting a little bit of carrot on the end of the stick. It's not easy to make history at a club. 

"I just told the guys this is an opportunity to etch your name in stone as far as the regular season is concerned. It's a 34-game season, it's long and to be able to achieve that would be great.

"When you can see a commitment to the cause, it's really about those real things that make the team successful."

Vancouver, meanwhile, sit eighth in the standings and are guaranteed a play-in spot, though they must better Minnesota United's result to clinch automatic qualification.

Head coach Vanni Sartini believed his team deserved better after they lost 2-1 to Los Angeles FC in midweek, a result that took their fate out of their own hands.

"We have to work. At this moment I'm very disappointed, I've got to be honest," Sartini said. 

"I just wanted to say congratulations to the guys, congratulations to the fans, they were amazing. We played a fantastic game and we deserved to win."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Real Salt Lake – Cristian Arango

Arango enters the final match of the season with 17 goals, tied with Alvaro Saborio (2012) for the most in a single season in Real Salt Lake's history. 

His 12 assists this season, meanwhile, are tied for second-most in club history behind Albert Rusnak's 14 in 2017.

Vancouver Whitecaps – Brian White

White has scored a goal on each of his last five regular-season road appearances, the longest streak in Vancouver's MLS history and the longest streak in MLS since Josef Martinez netted in seven straight on the road from May to September in 2019.

MATCH PREDICTION – REAL SALT LAKE WIN

Real Salt Lake have won three straight matches against Vancouver for the first time in club history. The only longer winning streak in the 32-match history of the series was a four-match run by the Whitecaps from 2014 to 2015.

The hosts enter the final match of the season on 56 points, one away from equalling the club's single-season record of 57 set in 2012. 

The Whitecaps, meanwhile, have lost three straight regular-season matches for the first time since the start of last season. They are winless in six straight league matches, equalling their worst run of the year.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Real Salt Lake – 45.1%

Vancouver Whitecaps – 28%

Draw – 26.9%

Girona coach Michel is counting on the club's fans to give his depleted team a much-needed boost when they host Real Sociedad in LaLiga on Saturday.

Girona ended a six-game winless streak across all competitions by beating Athletic Bilbao prior to the international break, but they have lost several key players to injury.

Pau Lopez, Yaser Asprilla, Bryan Gil and Daley Blind are among those to be sidelined ahead of a gruelling run of fixtures prior to the November international break, including two Champions League matches against Slovan Bratislava and PSV.

"We have seven games in 21 days and we are short of players. We will have to call up five players from our youth academy for tomorrow's match," Michel said on Friday.

"Sociedad have a great squad and should fight to be at the top, but I also think the same about us. 

"It's important that the fans are with us, I didn't like the way they booed us the other day [against Athletic].

"My players fight for every ball and they deserve to wear the Girona shirt. I hope the stadium will be full, we need it very much in such a historic season."

Backed by the wealth of their Abu Dhabi owners, Girona went toe-to-toe with Real Madrid in the title race last season, beating Barcelona twice before finishing third and qualifying for European football for the first time.

However, they have struggled this term with only three wins in all competitions, suffering losses to Feyenoord and Paris Saint-Germain in their first two Champions League matches.

Michel said: "We have players with personality and character. They also have a special motivation to be here. 

"I'm worried about injuries because of the calendar... There's the Copa del Rey, two Champions League games, LaLiga... I'm worried, of course, but it is what it is.

"The players do everything in their power to make our fans proud of them. That's why I think that together we are stronger and at home we need the fans to be our 12th player."

Antonio Conte believes there is still plenty of work for Napoli to do, despite sitting top of the Serie A standings. 

After narrowly edging past Serie B side Modena on penalties in the Coppa Italia first round in his first game, Conte followed it up with a 3-0 defeat to Verona in his first league match.

Since then, Napoli are unbeaten, winning six of their next seven games, only dropping points in a goalless draw with the Italian's former club, Juventus.

However, despite their impressive form, Conte is wary of getting too carried away.

"We are with the 'work in progress' sign, it cannot be otherwise after only three months," Conte told a press conference ahead of Sunday's game at Empoli.

"Otherwise, we would all underestimate the path that needs to be taken in a reconstruction phase like ours. We're just getting started.

"Victories are built, they are not invented, but what I feel I can guarantee is to rebuild solid foundations that can last over time."

The international break has left Conte without midfielder Stanislav Lobotka, injured while playing with Slovakia.

Lobotka has started all seven league games under Conte and was an ever-present in the starting side last season, but the manager is confident that Scotland international Billy Gilmour is ready for what will be his first Serie A start.

"It's not a very serious problem but we have to face it and recover, obviously I'm sorry because he was expressing himself at very high levels, but at the same time it will be an opportunity to see Gilmour," Conte said.

"Billy knows what he has to do, he hasn't trained only in these two days, but from the beginning. It changes little, the characteristics are very similar. If Gilmour hadn't been there it would have been different."

Napoli's bid to remain on top will face a stern test away to Empoli. The Tuscan side have lost only once this season, and have the second-best defensive record in Serie A, conceding four goals in their seven games.

"We are talking about a team that suffered their only defeat before the break, in the last minutes and on a difficult pitch, against Lazio at the Olimpico," Conte said.

"It is precisely in these matches that the spirit of sacrifice, according to the Empoli players, becomes an important weapon for them.

"I will not tolerate a spirit of sacrifice inferior to that of Empoli."

Steve Cherundolo wants Los Angeles FC to focus on their own game as they look to secure top spot against the San Jose Earthquakes.

LAFC can finish top of the Western Conference if they win by a two-goal margin and LA Galaxy lose to Houston Dynamo on Saturday.

Cherundolo's side kept themselves in contention going into the final day by snatching a late 2-1 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps, extending their winning streak to four games.

And though the head coach would like to finish top of the pile, he acknowledged that it was largely out of LAFC's hands.

"We don't spend a lot of time discussing scenarios," he said. "I think for us the important thing is to enjoy the weekend, and obviously, that is trying to win the game with a two-goal advantage.

"What happens elsewhere we'll obviously be monitoring, but not closely. We're better off focusing on ourselves.

"We've won a couple of games in a row now and to finish the season on a high with a win is important. We're focused on what we know we do well and that's great preparation."

No matter the result, San Jose will finish bottom of the table, with the worst result of any team in MLS.

Interim head coach Ian Russell is looking to salvage some pride in their final outing and is hoping to use their win over LAFC earlier this season as motivation.

"It's a tough test - LAFC are a good team," he said.

"We typically match up well against them, but we need to go down there, play good football, defend well, limit their chances and try to hurt them."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

LAFC – Mateusz Bogusz

Mateusz Bogusz scored his 15th goal of the season in LAFC's win over Vancouver on Sunday.

Bogusz is the fifth different LAFC player to score 15 goals in a season while no other team has more than three different players with a 15-goal season since the club joined MLS in 2018.

San Jose Earthquakes – Daniel

San Jose have conceded 75 goals this season, tied with FC Cincinnati in 2019 for the most in a single season in MLS history.

Cincinnati had allowed 75 goals after 33 matches that season but kept a clean sheet against D.C. United in their final match and Daniel will be hoping to do the same, so the visitors can go out on a high.

MATCH PREDICTION: LOS ANGELES FC WIN

LAFC have won nine of their 11 all-time home matches against San Jose (D1 L1), including a 4-1 win in the Leagues Cup Round of 16 on August 13. LAFC have scored at least three goals in seven of the 11 meetings at BMO Stadium.

In fact, LAFC have lost only one of their last 11 games played in October, November and December dating back to last season (W9 D1), with the lone defeat coming in the MLS Cup Final at Columbus Crew last December.

Meanwhile, the Earthquakes enter the final match of the season with 24 losses, tied for the most outright defeats in a single season in MLS history (along with D.C. United in 2013, excluding breakaway shootout losses).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

LAFC – 73.9%

Draw – 15.2%

San Jose Earthquakes – 10.9%

AC Milan boss Paulo Fonseca has had two weeks to stew on his team's latest defeat, and he will never refrain from criticising a player due to their name or status.

Milan were beaten 2-1 by Fiorentina before the international break, a defeat that came on the back of losing 1-0 to Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.

It was the manner of their defeat in Florence, where Theo Hernandez and Tammy Abraham were both denied by David de Gea from the penalty spot, which left Fonseca furious.

Fonseca slated his players for disobeying orders after the game, pointing out that Christian Pulisic was the designated penalty taker, while he was also furious to see Hernandez sent off for dissent late on. 

Speaking ahead of Saturday's meeting with Udinese, Fonseca told reporters: "I was so angry after Florence that it was good not to have seen anyone.

"We had few players in those training sessions, then all the internationals arrived yesterday. We talked about the match against Fiorentina and today we spoke about Udinese.

"I know that there has been a lot of talk about Florence, for me it was very important to talk about it."

Fonseca is already under pressure, with his side sixth in the Serie A table, five points off leaders Napoli. Milan have also lost both of their Champions League games, and their coach intends to tackle any issues head on.

"I don't close my eyes to problems. We have them, let's face them," Fonseca said.

"If we have any problems, I don't give a damn about the player's name. I talk to him. Frontally, directly, with the team or with the players.

"For me, no player is more important than the team. Those who make mistakes must take responsibility. If someone doesn't follow this team spirit, it's difficult for me."

Fonseca was then asked if he had already lost control of the dressing room, responding: "I don't have to demonstrate anything, I'm not an actor.

"In football today there is a great need to be seen, I'm not like that, since day one. Ask the players, if I have been this way from the start or not."

Ben Olsen believes LA Galaxy are the perfect team for Houston Dynamo to face the week before the playoffs to get them into the right frame of mind.

Houston can finish as high as fifth in the Western Conference but have alternated between a win and a loss in their last four games, losing 3-0 to St. Louis City last time out.

Olsen is keen to quickly put that result behind them and get the win that would secure fifth place in the table.

"Our objective doesn't change - it's still about putting the best performance against LA Galaxy we can in preparation for what's going to be a very tough first-round match in the playoffs," he said.

"It'll be a tough test. But I like that we're playing arguably the best team in the league the week before the playoffs because that's the level we're going to see then."

Meanwhile, the Galaxy need at least a draw to ensure they finish top of the table above derby rivals Los Angeles FC.

LA Galaxy are on a three-match winning streak in MLS, edging past Austin FC 2-1 in their last outing, and head coach Greg Vanney is glad they are not just going through the motions as they see out the end of the regular season.

"It's a nice test for us, it's great that the game is meaningful at this time of year, and we're playing for something before we start really playing for something," Vanney said. 

"I think that keeps the right intensity and the right tension in the group, and hopefully draw or win, it keeps the right tension going into the playoffs.

"We have to be efficient about how we defend, though we can't get pulled around by them."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Houston Dynamo – Adalberto Carrasquilla

The Dynamo enter the final match of the season with 51 points, equalling their total from last season, while a win would set a new club record for points in a single season, surpassing the 52 they recorded in 2012.

Adalberto Carrasquilla set up both goals the last time Houston won, and another in this game would level him with Amine Bassi for the most assists this season (six).

LA Galaxy – Gabriel Pec

Both Gabriel Pec and Riqui Puig enter the final match of the season with 29 goal contributions this season.

No team in MLS history has had two players record 30 goal contributions in a single season.

MATCH PREDICTION: HOUSTON DYNAMO WIN

Houston have lost only one of their last 11 regular-season home matches (W4 D6) including recording a 2-1 win in their last match at Shell Energy Stadium. The Dynamo's only set of consecutive home wins this season came in March with victories over Portland Timbers and San Jose Earthquakes.

The Galaxy defeated the Dynamo 2-1 at home on May 25. LA have not defeated Houston twice in a single regular season since winning all three meetings during the 2016 campaign.

A win on the final day of the season would give the Galaxy 67 points on the year, equalling the second-most in club history. Only two teams in MLS history have totalled 67 or more points in a regular season and not won the Supporters' Shield: Atlanta United in 2018 and Philadelphia Union in 2022.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Houston Dynamo – 47.2%

Draw – 26.3%

LA Galaxy – 26.5%

Pep Guardiola does not believe Thomas Tuchel's nationality is of any importance following the German's appointment as England's new head coach.

On Wednesday, the Football Association announced the former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss had signed an 18-month contract, starting in January, to lead the Three Lions to the 2026 World Cup.

Guardiola was among several high-profile coaches to be linked with the role prior to the announcement, with his contract with Manchester City set to expire next year.

While Tuchel's fine record in knockout football has led many to hail his arrival as a coup, some have suggested the FA should have given an English coach a chance.

Guardiola, however, does not believe it is an issue, saying at a press conference ahead of Sunday's trip to Wolves: "Thomas Tuchel is the manager.

"I'm the manager of Man City, forget about it. The rest is not important. The federation decided to go for a foreign manager with a great record. 

"My view is I would support him unconditionally. If he wins he will be praised and if he loses he will be criticised. But it doesn't matter, his nationality.

"I know we are proud of where we are from, but the world is so big. You have to be open-minded. I came here to learn from you."

Pressed on his own long-term future at the Etihad Stadium, Guardiola reiterated that no decision has been made but said City will be made aware of his plans well in advance.

"I'm pretty sure the club have options when Pep leaves. Sooner or later, it will happen and they have to prepare. It will not be a surprise," he said.

"I want to be really convinced it is the best for the club. I will not delay any action thinking it will be a problem for the club. They understand the problems I will have.

"If the club asks me an opinion [on my successor], I will give them an opinion. But it is not a decision for me. It has to be the club."

Perhaps the most high-profile homegrown coach to be linked with the England job was Newcastle United's Eddie Howe, alongside the likes of Graham Potter and Lee Carsley.

However, speaking at his own press conference ahead of Newcastle's Premier League fixture against Brighton and Hove Albion, Howe was asked if he was among the coaches interviewed for the job.

"I was not. There was no contact from the FA," he replied. "England have to do what is right for them and only they will know the processes they have gone through and the decisions they have made. I am certainly not the type of person that is going to analyse that."

Despite a tough start to Paris Saint-Germain's Ligue 1 title defence, Luis Enrique is happy with his side's early season form. 

PSG are unbeaten in the league and sit second in the standings behind Monacho, who have a two-point lead.

The reigning champions have drawn two of their seven games so far, including their last outing against Nice, though both stalemates have come away from home. 

They have also lost one of their opening two Champions League games, being outclassed by Arsenal in their 2-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium, meaning they are winless in two outings in all competitions.

The manager, who would not comment on media reports that he has extended his contract at PSG until there is official confirmation from the club, remained upbeat as his side prepare for Saturday's home game with Strasbourg.

"The start of the season in general has been very positive, even more positive than I imagined," Luis Enrique said at a press conference on Friday.

"Throughout the season, it is not a linear process, there are better moments and less good moments. We haven't had any bad spells yet.

"We would like to win every game, but that is not possible in football."

The Strasbourg game comes after an international break where many of PSG's players were in action, and the manager accepts this will be a factor in the match.

"We have to bear in mind playing time with international teams, travel time, and fatigue. So, of course, that is going to have an effect on the team on the pitch tomorrow," he added.

"We need to win tomorrow, but it will not be easy. It is never easy to come back after the international break."

The international break can also have its positive sides. One player who has struggled at PSG this season but shone for his country is forward Randal Kolo Muani, who scored both goals in France's 2-1 win in Belgium on Monday.

"That is certainly good news for me as a coach, to see our international players getting good results, produce strong performances, scoring goals, defending well," Luis Enrique said.

"The better they play for their national teams, the better for me."

Strasbourg are seventh in the standings, seven points behind PSG, but they have lost only once this season, and Luis Enrique expects a tough but open game.

"They score goals, they press high, they are dangerous, they are not worried about one-on-one situations," the Spaniard said.

"It will certainly be really difficult, well contested, and I think both teams will have chances."

Tivoli Gardens High School delivered a statement victory on Thursday, defeating Wolmer’s Boys’ 4-2 in an action-packed ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup Zone E showdown. Tivoli's win, led by two goals each from Ryan-Oneil Francis and Kaqummarie McKoy, saw them finish the preliminary round at the top of the group.

Francis opened the scoring in the 12th minute, giving Tivoli an early lead. McKoy doubled their advantage with a well-taken goal in the 24th minute, putting the hosts in control by halftime. Wolmer’s came out strong in the second half, with Daniel Scarlett pulling one back in the 51st minute, injecting hope into the visitors.

However, Tivoli responded emphatically. McKoy netted his second in the 68th minute, followed by Francis’s second in the 75th minute to make it 4-1, putting the game beyond Wolmer’s reach. Scarlett managed a late consolation goal in the 82nd minute, scoring his second of the match, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Tivoli from securing a crucial 4-2 win.

With the victory, Tivoli Gardens leapfrogged Wolmer’s to finish atop Zone E with 27 points. Wolmer’s, who finished two points behind Tivoli, secured second place. St Jago High, meanwhile, wrapped up third place with 19 points after a dominant 4-0 win over Denham Town, who finished in fourth with seven points.

Other Results from Thursday’s Manning Cup Matches:

Kingston College and Campion College battled to a thrilling 2-2 draw, a result that saw both teams share the points in their final preliminary round match.
St Jago High comfortably defeated Denham Town 4-0, securing third place in Zone E behind Tivoli Gardens and Wolmer’s Boys’.

As the Manning Cup progresses to the next stage, Tivoli Gardens' momentum from topping Zone E makes them a strong contender, while Wolmer’s and other teams will look to regroup and push further in the competition.

Peter Luccin wants FC Dallas to finish their season on a high when they play their final MLS match of 2024 against Sporting Kansas City on Saturday.

Dallas can only finish as high as 10th in the Western Conference but have won just one of their last seven MLS matches, losing the last two on the bounce. 

Despite not reaching the playoffs, Luccin is already looking at the positives they can carry into next season, though he still expects his team to show their best form against Sporting KC.

"Our duty is to give all we've got," he said. "The attitude of the team against Portland was positive and that's the least we can do for the fans.

"At the same time, we need to think about next year. The attitude of the players has been great, but we didn't lose games because of that. It came down to qualities or specific details, not mentality.

"It's good, we are growing up as a team, so we need to see how they do against Kansas."

Kansas City, meanwhile, are guaranteed to finish 13th no matter the result.

They are on a three-match losing streak in MLS and head coach Peter Vermes wants to make sure his team finish on a high after that poor run of form.

"Every week, no matter where you are in the season, you're always working, thinking, preparing to make sure your team is ready for the challenge, and not just from the soccer perspective," he said.

"You're trying to get the mentality right. It's much more challenging in a situation like this, but I think it will say a lot about the players that go on the field about how serious they take it."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

FC Dallas – Petar Musa

Petar Musa has scored 15 goals this season, 10 more than any other Dallas player.

That is the second-largest gap between a team's top goalscorer and second in MLS this season, behind only Christian Benteke, who has scored 17 more goals than any other D.C. United player in 2024.

Sporting Kansas City – Daniel Salloi

Daniel Salloi has scored eight regular-season goals against Dallas, three more than against any other opponent in his MLS career.

No player has scored more goals against Dallas since Salloi made his MLS debut in 2017.

MATCH PREDICTION: FC DALLAS WIN

Dallas have won only one of their last seven regular-season matches (D2 L4). They have conceded three goals in all four losses in that time but conceded just one in the other three matches.

Kansas City have won three straight meetings with FC Dallas in all competitions for the first time since 2017. Only once before has either team managed a four-match streak (Sporting KC in 2004), and Dallas will be keen to ensure they do not manage the same feat on Sunday.

Sporting KC, meanwhile, have just 31 points coming into the final match of the season, and will finish with fewer than 35 points for the first time since 2009 (33). Sporting hasverecorded fewer than 32 points only once before, totalling 20 points in the 1999 campaign.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

FC Dallas – 46.6%

Draw – 26.5%

Sporting Kansas City – 26.9%

 Defending champions Clarendon College suffered a shock defeat in the ISSA/WATA DaCosta Cup on Thursday, as Glenmuir High triumphed 2-0 in their second-round Group 7 encounter, thanks to a brilliant brace from former Denbigh High player Dunsting Cohen.

Cohen was the hero of the match, scoring both goals in injury time—his first in the 47th minute of the first half and the second deep into stoppage time in the 92nd minute. His performance propelled Glenmuir to second place in the group, tied on three points with leaders Paul Bogle High, who boast a superior goal difference following their 3-0 win over Titchfield High on Wednesday.

This victory marks a major upset for Clarendon College, the reigning champions, as they find themselves under pressure to bounce back after an uncharacteristic loss in their title defense.

Elsewhere in the DaCosta Cup, Denbigh High and Belair High battled to a thrilling 1-1 draw in their Group 5 match at Manchester High. Both teams struck early, with Lashawn Barnaby putting Denbigh ahead in the 8th minute, lofting a ball over the Belair goalkeeper, who had come too far off his line. However, Orlando Gray responded for Belair in the 29th minute, delivering a superb free kick from the edge of the box that curled into the net from a tight angle.

Despite multiple chances from both sides in the second half, neither team could find a winning goal. As a result, Denbigh and Belair sit tied for second in the group with one point each, trailing leaders Happy Grove, who won 3-2 against Holmwood on Wednesday.

Thursday’s DaCosta Cup Results:

Central High 2-0 Yallahs High
Glenmuir High 2-0 Clarendon College
Belair High 1-1 Denbigh High
Frome High 3-0 Cedric Titus High
Rusea’s High 1-0 Spot Valley High
Munro College 2-0 Alphansus Davis High

With the competition heating up, teams are pushing hard to advance from their respective groups, and Thursday's matches proved to be a day of upsets and close calls in the DaCosta Cup.

Former Trinidad and Tobago stalwart turned coach Dwight Yorke, and Derek King, are on a shortlist of five coaches vying for the senior Soca Warriors Head coach job.

The revelation was made by Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president Kieron Edwards, who revealed that the five-person shortlist was narrowed down from over 400 candidates ranging from the Twin Island Republic, as well as North, Central, and South America, and Europe.

King, the current interim head coach was appointed following the dismissal of Angus Eve, to whom he was an assistant. However, King’s chances of assuming the role on a permanent basis might be slim, given the team’s recent Concacaf Nations League run in which they struggled to secure League A status under his guidance.

Their lone win of the campaign was a 3-1 scoreline over Cuba in their final Group B contest at the Dwight Yorke Stadium.

While Edwards was impressed with the energy shown in that game, he quickly pointed out that a new coach, to be named by the end of this month, will be critical to meet new strategy set to be implemented by TTFA in 2025 ahead of the World Cup Qualifiers resumption.

“I want to assure you that both Dwight Yorke and Derek King are two of the five that we’re looking at. I think with the work that Derek has done for the last two FIFA windows, especially this last window. We know that the first window was tough for him to instill his idea in the guys, but we saw a glimpse of it in the Honduras game, during the first 30 minutes or even the first half,” Edwards told Guardian Media Sports.

“I think Derek has proven himself worthy for the position, and of course, Dwight is there and thereabout, and there are a few others who I would not name at this time. I think those two are names that the country is expecting to be there, so I am allowing that to happen, plus we’re working with agents and managers of other coaches right now to have some discussions, and hopefully by the end of the weekend we can conclude those discussions,” he added.

Yorke, who had a successful stint as a coach at Macarthur FC in the Australian A-League in 2022, also applied for the Jamaican senior Reggae Boyz top job, but was overlooked.

The former Manchester United striker is now being considered the overwhelming choice among the local football fraternity. 

However, Edwards explained that the affordability of a proposed salary packages would be crucial to the selection of the new coach and his staff. Additionally, that new coach will also have the option to decide on international friendly encounters during the coming FIFA window.

“We have about five people we’re looking at in terms of options who fit the bill of the campaign that we’re looking at for the style of football that we want to play. And not just the campaign, but also it would lend to the association in terms of our development,” Edwards said.

“So it’s important because we have a new strategic plan that we’re rolling out early in 2025, and the coach would have to be part of that in terms of keeping our national teams engaged and so on,” he noted.