The Seattle Sounders will be "flying" if they can beat Los Angeles FC on Saturday.
That was the message from coach Brian Schmetzer, who is relishing a huge occasion at Lumen Field, where the Sounders have been outstanding.
Seattle are on a five-game winning run in MLS, with four of those matches coming at home. They have lost in Seattle only once this year, back in April.
After a slow start, there are now only five teams above them in the Western Conference, but one of those are LAFC.
It was a defeat in Los Angeles that set in motion the Sounders' five-game winless run to start the campaign, while their 2023 season ended with a defeat to LAFC at Lumen Field.
Seattle should not be short of motivation then, and Schmetzer is now shying away from the significance of this game.
"Saturday is such a big game against LAFC," Schmetzer said. "Everyone needs to come out and show up.
"This is a massive game for us. We've only lost twice in 18 games. That's pretty darn good if you ask me.
"We come out with a result on Saturday, and we're flying."
A win would close the gap between sixth-placed Seattle and second-placed LAFC to just four points, with this weekend's visitors wobbling in recent weeks against elite opposition.
The performance in the midweek draw with Real Salt Lake was merely "a little better" than in the prior humbling 5-1 defeat to the Columbus Crew, according to coach Steve Cherundolo.
"No, I was not happy with the performance [against RSL]," he said.
LAFC had won nine of their previous 10 ahead of the Columbus game.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Seattle Sounders – Albert Rusnak
Rusnak assisted Jon Bell's first Seattle goal in the midweek win over St Louis City, continuing his fine form. That was his sixth consecutive home match in which he had registered a goal contribution.
Obafemi Martins is the only Sounders player with a longer such streak in a single regular season, with a seven-game run in 2014.
Los Angeles FC – Mateusz Bogusz
Olivier Giroud officially became an LAFC player this week, but Bogusz has contributed handily while the team have waited for the World Cup winner to arrive.
Bogusz has contributed to goals in each of his past five away matches, the longest active streak in MLS. Only Carlos Vela has had goal contributions in more consecutive road games in the regular season for LAFC (six matches in 2018).
MATCH PREDICTION: LAFC WIN
Across MLS and the US Open Cup, the Sounders have won six games in a row, their longest winning run since a streak of the same length ended in MLS Cup glory in 2019.
But LAFC are the Sounders' bogey side right now. They have won three in a row against Seattle and are unbeaten in seven in this fixture.
The Rave Green have not beaten LAFC since May 2021, and Saturday's visitors will hope to provide another reality check.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Seattle Sounders – 32.1%
Los Angeles FC – 42.5%
Draw – 25.4%
Inter Miami v Chicago Fire: Messi missing again as title tilt continues
Inter Miami will again be without injured superstar Lionel Messi as they look to continue on their course for the Supporters' Shield on Saturday.
Miami will host Chicago Fire with Messi absent, just as he was for the midweek home win over Toronto FC.
"Leo will continue to be evaluated by our medical staff week to week," coach Tata Martino said.
"We will see how he recuperates without taking any type of risk."
Messi suffered an ankle injury while on Copa America duty with Argentina, winning that competition but appearing to hamper Inter's title hopes in the process.
But Martino's men are still well placed to achieve their goals, starting with the regular-season championship.
With victory over Toronto, in which Federico Redondo took centre stage with two goals, Miami became the first team to reach 50 points this season.
They have achieved that feat within 24 games, joining esteemed company. The only six teams to previously tally 50 points inside 24 games have gone on to win the Supporters' Shield.
Next opponents Chicago at least head into this encounter off the back of a win of their own, beating FC Cincinnati on the road on Wednesday.
"When you come on the road and get a result like this, it's a great team effort," said Fire coach Frank Klopas.
"Certain guys are playing really well at the moment, but I still feel that everyone can give more. There's a lot more potential in there with the group.
"That's why this game on Saturday is so massive for us."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Inter Miami – Federico Redondo
Miami may be missing Messi, but the supporting cast has consistently stepped up this season. They have had four different players score two or more goals in a match, tied for the most in MLS.
The latest of those was Redondo, scoring his first goals in MLS against Toronto. With an assist in that game, too, he will hope that is the start of a strong run of game.
Chicago Fire – Brian Gutierrez
The Fire have had just three goals from substitutes in 2024, yet two of those have been among their past three goals. The latest, their winner against Cincy, saw Gutierrez emerge from the bench to score.
The midfielder will not want that to develop into a consistent theme, however, surely preferring to play from the start. He had done so in each prior game going back to April.
MATCH PREDICTION: INTER MIAMI WIN
Chicago have actually won four of their six games against Miami, including the past three in a row.
But New York City FC are the only team to further extend such a streak against Miami, and their run of five straight victories ended back in 2022. Miami are a very different prospect in 2024.
Their stretch of scoring in 10 consecutive MLS matches is a club record, with their tally of 19 goals across those games showing the task that lies before Chicago – with or without Messi.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Inter Miami – 64.2%
Chicago Fire – 16.7%
Draw – 19.1%
Reggae Girl Chantelle Swaby inks two-year deal with Leicester City
Jamaica's senior Reggae Girl Chantelle Swaby is set to realise a lifelong dream of playing in the Barclay's Women's Super League (WSL), as she was signed by Leicester City on a free transfer.
Swaby, agreed to a two-year deal with Leicester City after her contract with French club FC Fluery expired recently.
The versatile player, who has been capped 38 times for Jamaica, is eager to hit the ground running at the King Power Stadium.
“It feels great to have signed for Leicester City. I’ve been wanting to come to the WSL for years now, but I just haven’t had the chance to, so I’m happy to be here and can’t wait to get started," she told the club website.
"I know this will be a really good experience and a great challenge for me, and I'm really excited. Playing as the home team at King Power Stadium will be a whole different experience, and I'm really looking forward to getting started with my teammates and meet the supporters,” Swaby added.
The 25-year-old made 33 appearances across two seasons and helped FC Fleury finish fifth in the French top-flight league last season. Prior to that, she represented American outfit Sky Blue FC and had a one-year stint with Rangers in the Scottish Women's Premier League, where she won the 2021–22 title.
Interestingly, Reggae Boy Bobby Reid was recently picked up by Leicester City's male team following their promotion to the English Premier League (EPL).
Schmeichel reunites with Rodgers at Celtic
Kasper Schmeichel has signed a one-year deal with Celtic, while reuniting with former Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers.
The Denmark goalkeeper joins the reigning Scottish Premiership champions as a free agent after his departure from Belgian side Anderlecht, where he spent a single season.
Schmeichel, who also spent a year with Ligue 1 outfit Nice in 2022-23, brings plenty of experience to Celtic Park, following his 11-year stint with Leicester.
The 37-year-old helped the Foxes to their fairy-tale Premier League triumph in 2016, along with their FA Cup success five years later.
Rodgers was Schmeichel's coach in his final three years at the King Power Stadium, and both are excited to renew that working relationship.
"I am absolutely delighted to join Celtic and can't wait to get started," Schmeichel told the club's official website.
"Celtic is one of the world's proper football clubs, a massive name and a place of real passion and success. Celtic is what football is all about.
"I know Brendan very well, too. He is a top manager and someone I can't wait to work with again.
"I'm really looking forward to meeting up with the boys [on their pre-season tour] in America and starting our work and then, of course, meeting our fans who bring so much to Celtic.
"I will be doing all I can to keep Celtic on top and bring these brilliant supporters more and more success."
"I am really pleased to bring Kasper to Celtic," Rodgers added. "He is a real quality keeper and someone with the ability and personality to be great for us.
"He is a guy I trust and someone who knows how to win. He lives for football, and he is coming to a club where he will feel the same passion that he has for the game.
"I know he will feel right at home at Celtic, and we look forward to working with him as we all aim for more success."
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