Seattle Sounders midfielder Joao Paolo insists every game matters and wants his team-mates to prove that against Minnesota United.
The Sounders return to MLS action on the back of a 3-0 defeat to Los Angeles FC in the Leagues Cup quarterfinal but will meet them again in the US Open Cup semifinal next week.
Seattle sit seventh in the tightly contested Western Conference, and Paulo has warned against the danger of looking past their test against Minnesota and focusing on the wrong game.
"We need to make a good game this weekend against Minnesota," he said.
"We need to try to build some momentum again and go in strong for the last few games. I think it's a good test for us ahead of next week [US Open Cup semi-final].
"The most important game is the next one, so we need to go in with that mentality."
Meanwhile, Minnesota sit four points below Saturday's opponents in ninth in the table.
They suffered disappointment in the Leagues Cup, bowing out in the group stage having lost their opener 2-0 to Seattle.
Minnesota suffered a dip in form prior to the break, but new signing Kelvin Yeboah says he buys into the club's promise.
"The project intrigued me, and speaking to the coach drew me to the club," Yeboah said.
"I made this decision based on the club's project and on the league, it's all growing, and that's what intrigued me."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Minnesota United – Robin Lod
Robin Lod has been involved in a career-high 17 regular-season goals in 2024 (six goals, 11 assists).
Only Darwin Quintero (26) in 2018 and Emanuel Reynoso (21) in 2022 have been involved in more in a single regular season in Minnesota's MLS history.
Seattle Sounders – Jordan Morris
Jordan Morris has scored a team-high nine regular-season goals for the Sounders in 2024.
With another goal, the American would become the ninth player in MLS history, and the first for Seattle, to have five double-digit scoring seasons with a single team.
MATCH PREDICTION: SEATTLE SOUNDERS WIN
Minnesota have won only one of 16 all-time meetings with the Sounders in all competitions (two draws, 13 losses). All three matches in which the Loons avoided defeat against Seattle came at home, including a 1-1 draw at Allianz Field last August.
The Sounders have won 10 of their 12 matches in all competitions dating back to late June. Both defeats in that time were 3-0 home losses to Los Angeles FC.
Meanwhile, Minnesota have won their last two home matches in all competitions, recording a 2-0 league win over San Jose Earthquakes before defeating Necaxa, 1-0, in the Leagues Cup. This is the first time the Loons have kept clean sheets in two straight home matches since a run of three straight in August-September 2021.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Minnesota United – 34.2%
Draw – 25.8%
Seattle Sounders – 40%
CF Montreal v New England Revolution: Porter eyeing late playoff push
Caleb Porter has likened the final games of the season to cup finals, as New England Revolution prepare to return to action against CF Montreal.
The Revs have had a three-week break ahead after suffering a heartbreaking penalty shoot-out defeat to New York City FC in the Leagues Cup round of 32.
After a slow start to the season, New England sit bottom of the Eastern Conference, though are only five points behind Atlanta United in ninth.
And Porter believes his refreshed team have what it takes to challenge for the playoffs if they can string together a winning run.
"Every game is a cup final, these last 11," Porter said. "We're going to go for it.
"Obviously, our goal is to take it one at a time and win every game. We don't need to win every game to probably get in, but that's going to be our mindset.
"If we can win our home games, and then win half the road games, then I think we'll be in good shape."
Meanwhile, Montreal were also knocked out of the Leagues Cup in the round of 32, suffering a 2-0 defeat to the Philadelphia Union.
They resume their MLS campaign in a strong position, sitting fifth in the table, but have had problems in the build-up to this game after a public falling-out between head coach Laurent Courtois and striker Josef Martinez.
Courtois said he felt "betrayed" by the Venezuelan after he refused to take part in training, but Montreal president Gabriel Gervais says the problem has now been dealt with.
"This case is closed," he said. "For me, it's non-negotiable. Someone who is not disciplined cannot be here."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
CF Montreal – Josef Martinez
Josef Martínez has scored eight regular-season goals against New England, tied for his most against any MLS opponent (also eight vs. D.C. United and Orlando City).
New England Revolution – Carles Gil
Carles Gil has been involved in a goal in each of his last four regular-season MLS matches (one goal, four assists).
The Spaniard's longest streak of consecutive regular-season matches with a goal contribution is five straight, done three times, most recently in 2022.
MATCH PREDICTION: CF MONTREAL WIN
Montreal have won three of their last four home matches against New England, keeping clean sheets in all three wins. Montreal had won three of their previous 16 matches against the Revs (drawing one, losing 12), managing just two clean sheets in those games.
In fact, Montreal have lost only one of their last nine home matches in all competitions (four wins, four draws) with the lone defeat coming against Toronto FC on July 20. No American team has won at Stade Saputo since Columbus on May 15.
Meanwhile, New England are unbeaten in four straight matches in all competitions (won one, drawn three, including a penalty shoot-out loss in the Leagues Cup Round of 32), equaling their longest run of the season. The Revs' last longer unbeaten run was a six-match stretch that spanned last year's Leagues Cup.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
CF Montreal – 43.4%
Draw – 26.7%
New England Revolution – 29.9%
Chelsea 'played with fire' in Servette win, claims Maresca
Enzo Maresca was pleased with Chelsea's win in their Europa Conference League play-off first leg but says they "played with fire" in the closing stages.
Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke both netted in the second half of their 2-0 victory, earning Maresca his first win in charge of the Blues.
However, it was almost a different story as Chelsea came under late pressure, with Jeremy Guillermenot squandering two chances in stoppage time to half the deficit for the Swiss side.
Despite seeing improvements from their Premier League defeat against Manchester City, Maresca says there is still a lot of work to do if they want to find some consistency.
"I was a bit worried because in the last 10 minutes, we played a little bit with fire because we could manage the game completely differently," he said after the game. "It was good that we didn't concede, but we can learn.
"We are learning how to manage the game. Keeping the ball is the correct intention at 2-0 up but where is not good, in our half.
"We need to do the same on the opposite side. It was important to win the game with nine changes. There were many good things."
With as big a squad as Chelsea's, this game was the perfect chance for Maresca to give more players minutes.
Mykhailo Mudryk's performance caused some frustration with the Italian as he struggled to make an impact, especially in a hesitant first half, but Maresca is keen to help him find his consistency.
"This is the mission, this is Mudryk, not only tonight but since he joined the club," he added.
"I think he had good moments but when he has the ball you don't know if you'll get one thing or another. It is consistency.
"We are going to try and help him to change. When he is in the final third, it is making the right decision. Most of his mistakes are about the choice."
There was also some cause for concern among Chelsea fans as Cole Palmer was seen holding his hamstring as he left the pitch, but Maresca brushed off any worries, claiming it is only a minor problem.
"Cole felt something but he looks fine. Hopefully, it is no problem, and he can be available for Sunday's game [at Wolves]," he said.
Courtois refuses to return to Belgium duty under Tedesco
Thibaut Courtois says he will not play for Belgium again, while Domenico Tedesco is still in charge of the national team.
Courtois made his international debut in October 2011, becoming the youngest goalkeeper to represent Belgium in a 0-0 friendly draw with France.
He has since made 102 appearances for his country and was an ever-present at five major tournaments between 2014 and 2022, earning his 100th cap in a 0-0 draw with Croatia as Belgium were knocked out at the group stage in Qatar.
However, the goalkeeper had a public falling-out with Tedesco in 2023 after leaving the Belgium camp ahead of a Euro 2024 qualifier amid a dispute over not being selected to succeed Eden Hazard as captain.
While Tedesco claimed the 32-year-old's exit was due to not feeling respected within the team, Courtois denied those claims, citing a knee injury.
And Courtois, who missed most of last season due to two knee injuries, was left out of Belgium's Euro 2024 squad despite returning to fitness for Real Madrid before Tedesco named his tournament party.
"Unfortunately, following the events with the coach and after much reflection, I have decided not to return to the Belgian national team under his management," he said in a statement on social media.
"In this matter, I accept my share of responsibility. However, looking forward, my lack of confidence in him would not contribute to maintaining the necessary atmosphere of cordiality.
"The Federation, with whom I have had several discussions, accepts my position and the reasons that led me to this painful but coherent decision.
"I regret possibly disappointing some fans, but I am convinced that this is the best course of action for Belgium, as it closes a debate and allows the team to focus on pursuing its goals."
Belgium's first game since their round of 16 exit to France at Euro 2024 will be against Israel in the Nations League.
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