Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy has praised his side's "humble" attitude ahead of their trip to Los Angeles FC in MLS on Saturday.
The Crew are on a four-match winning streak, scoring 15 goals and keeping three clean sheets during that run.
They sit third in the Eastern Conference, and after a 4-0 victory over Toronto FC last time out, Nancy showed his admiration for their impressive run.
"The fact that we are humble enough to accept that we have to improve all the time, the consequence of that is we are able to do something new and to improve all the time," Nancy said.
"Again, this desire to get better and better depends on what the opposition is going to give us.
"[I'm proudest of] the fact that we don't take anything for granted. That's why we were able to attack well and to defend well. This is the spirit that I really like."
LAFC, meanwhile, sit joint-top of the Western Conference, with Real Salt Lake and LA Galaxy also on 43 points.
Their high-flying season has drawn attention, with head coach Steve Cherundolo's name one of those linked to the currently vacant USA national team job.
Cherundolo has brushed aside any concerns that he will be leaving LA though, instead using it to highlight the club's work this season.
"I am LAFC's head coach right now," he said. "That is my job, it's what I do every day. We have training tomorrow and I will be there for it.
"I think it has more to do with LAFC and all that's going on here.
"We're all moving in the same direction. When the group functions well, individuals shine, it's just a well-run organisation, and it's partly my job to make sure we keep going in that direction."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Los Angeles FC – Denis Bouanga
Denis Bouanga (one goal) and Mateusz Bogusz (one assist) were each involved in a goal in LAFC's 2-1 win against LA Galaxy last time out, the league-leading 10th time both have contributed to a goal in the same match this season.
Columbus Crew – Diego Rossi
Cucho Hernandez (11 goals, seven assists) and Diego Rossi (seven goals, nine assists) are one of two MLS team-mate duos to each have 7+ goals and 7+ assists in 2024, along with Real Salt Lake's Cristian Arango and Andres Gomez.
MATCH PREDICTION: LOS ANGELES FC WIN
LAFC have won six consecutive regular-season home matches, scoring at least three goals in four of those wins. They have only one longer home-winning run in their history – a nine-match streak in 2022.
However, they lost to Columbus when the two last faced each other, as the Crew came out on top with a 2-1 victory in the 2023 MLS Cup Final last December. Prior to that match, LAFC had won all three of their meetings by a combined 7-0.
The Crew are coming off a 4-0 victory over Toronto FC, their second shutout win by at least four goals this season (4-0 over Sporting Kansas City last month). It is the first time Columbus have had multiple such wins in MLS play in a single season.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Los Angeles FC – 42.4%
Draw – 26.7%
Columbus Crew – 30.9%
Bellingham salutes 'unbelievable human being' Southgate after England departure
Jude Bellingham hailed "unbelievable human being" Gareth Southgate, while Kieran Trippier and Eberechi Eze also paid tribute to the outgoing England boss.
Southgate announced on Tuesday he would step down as the Three Lions' head coach following their heartbreaking Euro 2024 final defeat by Spain.
The 53-year-old was overseeing his second successive European Championship final since replacing Sam Allardyce in September 2016, while also guiding England to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals.
Southgate departs having won 61 of his 102 matches at the helm, with only Walter Winterbottom and Bobby Robson managing England on more occasions.
And Bellingham saluted the man under whom he made his Three Lions debut in 2020 before becoming a key member of the side.
"I'd like to thank Gareth and his staff for the great memories during his tenure," the Real Madrid midfielder wrote on Instagram.
"From the point of view of a fan who has become a member of the squad, it's been a rollercoaster of amazing emotions that has instilled hope and joy back into our country.
"It was a privilege being led by someone who is so dedicated and passionate. Not only is Gareth easily one of the best coaches in the history of the national team, but also an unbelievable human being. Thank you for everything and all the best in the next chapter, Gaffer."
Trippier has won all 54 of his England caps under Southgate, while playing a key role at each of his four major tournaments at the helm.
"Want to say thank you to Gareth for everything," the Newcastle United defender said. "A top coach who I know will be successful wherever his next role may be. Thank you."
"Would like to thank Gareth, not only for giving me the opportunity to play in my first major tournament but also for all you and your staff have done to get this England team to where we are today," Eze added.
"We are closer than ever to achieving what we dream of and that is hugely down to what you have created. I wish you all the best for the future."
Vancouver Whitecaps v Sporting Kansas City: Sartini targeting strong finish after impressive run
Vancouver Whitecaps head coach Vanni Sartini believes there are no limits to where his side can finish in MLS if they continue their unbeaten streak against Sporting Kansas City.
The Whitecaps have not lost any of their last five matches in all competitions, winning four and drawing one, leaving them sixth in the Western Conference.
With only eight points separating them from the top of the table, and Vancouver having two games in hand over some of those above them, Sartini is confident his team can challenge for a top spot.
"We have to push for the next two games at home before the rest and the Leagues Cup, so we really need to push, and then we can regroup in the last 10 games to try and get the highest position possible," Sartini said.
"We need to get points because everyone is getting points. It's really hard.
"If we keep winning, sooner or later we'll be higher than fifth or sixth. The only thing we can do is win."
Sporting Kansas City are on a three-match winning streak of their own, which has lifted them off the foot of the table.
After going through a rough patch of just one win in five before that, head coach Peter Vermes has highlighted how the squad rotation has helped him get the best out of his players.
"I am [proud]," Vermes said.
"Each time, no matter what their responsibility is — whether they are starting, playing 90 minutes or coming in the second half — the responsibility to come in and make a contribution to the team has taken on a much different effect than it did early in the season.
"It's a credit to the players because they are the ones on the field who have to do the work and make the contributions."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Vancouver Whitecaps – Brian White
Brian White has scored in four straight matches for the second time this season (also in April), the only player in MLS with multiple streaks of four or more games with a goal this season.
The only Whitecaps player to score in five straight league games was Camilo Sanvezzo in June-July 2013.
Sporting Kansas City – Erik Thommy
Erik Thommy scored his first MLS goal since April in Sporting's win over San Jose on Saturday with a strike from outside the box.
It was Sporting's 11th goal from outside the box this season, three more than any other MLS team.
MATCH PREDICTION: VANCOUVER WHITECAPS WIN
The 10 meetings between the Whitecaps and Sporting Kansas City since the start of the 2020 season have been split, with each side winning four times and drawing twice. Both sides have recorded at least one win home and away in that time.
The Whitecaps are currently unbeaten in their last five home matches in all competitions (W4 D1), including winning the last two at BC Place. Vancouver have not gone six straight home matches without defeat in all competitions since October-November 2021.
However, Kansas City have won three of their last four regular-season matches after opening the season with three wins in their first 20 games (D5 L12). Saturday's win, 2-1 at San Jose Earthquakes, snapped an eight-match road losing streak in league play for Sporting.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Vancouver Whitecaps – 50.2%
Draw – 25.2%
Sporting Kansas City – 24.6%
'I've dreamed of this day since I was a kid', Mbappe smiles at Madrid unveiling
Kylian Mbappe told Real Madrid supporters: "I've dreamed of this day since I was a kid", as he was officially unveiled at Santiago Bernabeu.
The France captain completed his long-awaited blockbuster move to Los Blancos following his departure from Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month.
Mbappe put pen to paper on a five-year deal with the reigning LaLiga and Champions League winners, for whom he will wear the number nine shirt.
Over 80,000 spectators were at the Bernabeu to see the 25-year-old's official presentation, which was delayed due to France's involvement at Euro 2024.
And Mbappe shared with them his delight at realising a lifelong ambition.
"I spent endless nights dreaming about one day playing for Real Madrid, and today I am one happy guy," he said. "My family are so happy here, I can see my mum crying.
"It's an incredible day for me. I've dreamed of this day since I was a kid, and this day means a lot to me."
Sporting Madrid's new home kit, Mbappe was introduced to the crowd by club president Florentino Perez.
"The love that you felt for Real Madrid, and you identifying with this club since your childhood, made it possible for you to be here and to overcome those obstacles on the way to your dream," Perez said.
Los Blancos' head coach Carlo Ancelotti extended the welcome to his new signing, writing on X: "Welcome to the best club in the world. Welcome home, Kylian."
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