Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Curtin has urged his team to find a way to grind out a vital win when they meet the New England Revolution in MLS on Wednesday.
The Union sit bottom of the Eastern Conference having failed to win any of their last 10 matches, extending that streak against Toronto FC on Saturday as they conceded two quickfire second-half goals in a 2-1 defeat.
Their last win came against the Revs in mid-May, and Curtin has set the simple target of getting three points after admitting his team have not been good enough in the last two months.
"We've made some big mistakes and been punished for them. We haven't been able to make the little plays to get over the hump," Curtin said.
"It's unacceptable how many games we haven't been able to find a way to win and the way we've done it has been really disappointing. We've become very fragile, which is uncharacteristic of this group.
"It really comes down with us just finding a way to grind out a win, ugly, pretty, whatever it takes to put it behind us."
Meanwhile, the Revs are one point better off than their opponents, sitting 13th in the table having lost their previous two matches.
They let a lead slip against Orlando City in their 3-1 defeat at the weekend, and head coach Caleb Porter hopes they can put their injury troubles behind them to get back to winning ways.
"We've got to find a way to get some points out of these next two games, even under the circumstances of where we're at," Porter said, as quoted in The Blazing Musket substack.
"And I believe 100% when we're healthy – and we showed it in the four-game stretch – when we have our group healthy, that we can beat anybody in the league."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Philadelphia Union – Daniel Gazdag
Daniel Gazdag has scored five career regular-season goals against New England, more than against any other team in his MLS career.
The five goals are also the most by any player against the Revs since the Hungarian joined MLS in 2021.
New England Revolution – Giacomo Vrioni
Giacomo Vrioni scored New England's lone goal in their loss to Orlando City on Saturday and has now scored six of the club’s last seven goals, including the last three in a row.
MATCH PREDICTION: PHILADELPHIA UNION WIN
The Union have won five of their last six matches against New England (L1, incl. playoffs) dating back to July 2022. The Revs had gone unbeaten in the previous five meetings between the sides (W3 D2).
However, the Union (D4 L6) are winless in 10 straight matches within a single regular season for the first time in club history. Philadelphia have won one of their last 17 matches, but that win came over New England in May.
Meanwhile, none of New England's last 16 MLS matches have ended in a draw (W7 L9) dating back to the start of April. In fact, only one of the Revs’ last 26 league matches dating back to late September last season has ended level.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Philadelphia Union – 48.2%
Draw – 25.9%
New England Revolution – 25.9%
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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