Peter Luccin has likened training to a “new environment” as FC Dallas’ break from action has given a chance for injured players to return ahead of their clash with D.C. United.
Dallas fell to a disappointing group stage exit in the Leagues Cup but it could be a blessing in disguise for interim coach Luccin as it has allowed rest for an injury-hit squad.
Jesus Ferreira, Asier Illarramendi and Alan Vesco have all returned to action during the break.
Luccin feels those comebacks have sparked a change in attitude among his squad on the training ground.
“To have all of those players back is very important for us. That practice environment is good because everybody is pushing more, everybody wants to play,” he said. “All that new environment for us is beautiful. It's very good.”
Dallas' renewed impetus will also be aided by two new arrivals, right-back Ruan and midfielder Manuel Cafumana, who join Luccin’s roster.
Both sides remain within reach of the play-off positions in their respective leagues but Dallas will have to overturn pre-season form to earn all three points.
United claimed victory in a friendly in February, but Luccin is unfazed by their past encounter.
“A preseason game is totally different. You know the intensity isn’t the same. Everyone is coming and playing with heavier legs and there are no fans in the stadium,” insisted Luccin.
“We didn’t even talk about that game. I’m more concerned about what they did in their last three or four games.”
The Black-and-Red fared little better than Dallas in the Leagues Cup, losing in the round of 32 to Mazatlan. Prior to that, they had just secured their first two wins after going winless for eleven games.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
DC United – Christian Benteke
The Belgian striker is United’s top scorer this season with 16 goals to his name, 13 more than any of his team-mates.
He has scored seven headed goals this season, tied with Cristian Arango for the most in MLS in 2024.
Dallas – Petar Musa
Petar Musa has scored in each of his last four MLS appearances. The only FC Dallas player to score in five straight league matches in a single regular season since 2010 was Paul Arriola in 2022.
MATCH PREDICTION: DC UNITED WIN
Dallas are winless in 12 regular-season away matches in 2024 (D4 L8), the longest run without a win on the road in the club’s history. Along with St. Louis City SC, they are one of two teams without an away win this regular season.
In contrast to Dallas’ poor form, D.C. United recorded their first set of consecutive wins in a single regular season since a three-match winning run in April 2023 with their two recent wins. D.C. had won only two of their previous 17 regular-season matches before that.
This will be United’s first home match against FC Dallas since October 2018. D.C. won the last meeting between the sides, 1-0, in Dallas in 2023 but have not won consecutive regular-season matches against Dallas since 1999—2000 (three straight).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
DC United – 38.7%
Draw – 26.5%
Dallas – 34.7%
Juventus swoop for Fiorentina star Gonzalez
Juventus have confirmed the signing of winger Nicolas Gonzalez from Fiorentina in a reported €32 million move.
Gonzalez finished last season with 14 goal contributions in Serie A as Fiorentina finished eighth and reached the final of the Europa Conference League for the second year running.
The forward also helped Argentina win the Copa America in the off-season, and on Sunday, completed his switch to Turin.
Speaking of Gonzalez's addition, as well as the impending signing of Francisco Conceicao from Porto, new Juve boss Thiago Motta said: "They are strong players which is why they will come to our squad. Every player that arrives will give us a big hand to be competitive until the end.
"That is the case for those already here and those who will arrive."
Motta's team started their Serie A campaign with a 3-0 win over Cesc Fabregas' Como last week, and face Hellas Verona on Monday.
"We remain with our feet on the ground after the first day of the championship," Motta said on Sunday.
"Now we are on the second day, we face a team that is in good form after their victory against a team that is a serious candidate for the Scudetto.
"We played at home against Como, which was a good performance and a good result for us. Tomorrow I expect a different story and we have to be ready for everything.
"You look at it from the outside but from the inside my life is beautiful. I wake up early with great energy and enthusiasm to come to training.
"I find myself with fantastic people who have that same enthusiasm. I find myself with guys who arrive with a huge desire to improve."
Nottingham Forest bring in Porto defender Carmo
Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of David Carmo from Porto for £10m (€11.7m), with the defender going out on loan to Olympiacos for the season.
The Portuguese-born defender, who represents Angola at international level, spent the second half of last season in Athens.
Carmo joins on a five-year deal and is Forest's ninth signing of the summer transfer window.
He began his career at Braga before moving to Porto for €20m in the summer of 2022, but only managed 27 appearances before being loaned to Olympiacos, who are owned by Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, in January.
Meanwhile, reports emerged on Sunday that Forest's move to sign Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah had broken down.
Nuno Espirito Santo's team are, however, rumoured to be in talks with Feyenoord over Mexico forward Santiago Gimenez, who scored 23 Eredivisie goals last term.
Liverpool still have a lot to prove, claims Slot after maiden Anfield win
Liverpool still have "a lot to prove" despite maintaining their strong start to the Premier League season, so says new boss Arne Slot.
Goals from Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah in Sunday's 2-0 win over Brentford continued the Dutchman's perfect record as Reds head coach following their opening-day win over Ipswich Town last week.
Slot's side are yet to concede a goal this term, scoring four in return, as he became the first Liverpool boss since April 1991 to win his first two league matches in charge.
Yet Slot knows it is early days as he aims to walk in the shoes of the legendary Jurgen Klopp.
He told BBC Sport: "The fans loved to see the team playing really well but they also loved to see the team working very hard.
"I liked what I saw so if I like it then mostly the fans like it.
"Again we won against Ipswich, won against Brentford. Two good teams but I am not expecting them to be in the top six in the upcoming year so still a lot to prove for us in the upcoming weeks and months."
Liverpool were frustrated in their attempts to extend their lead against the Bees by visiting goalkeeper Mark Flekken, who made six saves, but Slot was quick to point out the defensive solidity shown by his team, who limited Brentford to just 0.36 expected goals (xG).
"Most importantly, we did not concede much," the former Feyenoord coach said.
"The only big chance we conceded was a set piece and that is always so difficult when you play Brentford. They can threaten in many ways but one is certainly set pieces, and we controlled that quite well apart from that one moment."
Slot also praised many of his players for returning from their holidays in fine physical condition, and he thinks that has been one of the main factors in Liverpool achieving two wins out of two so far.
"The players came back after three weeks of holiday and in most cases two weeks before the start of the games but they came back really strong physically", he said.
"Compliment to the players for how they came back and, like I have said, we haven't changed much compared to the former regime, so it is not so difficult for them to start playing again. That was a very positive thing."
Slot's biggest test as Liverpool coach comes next week, with the Reds heading to Old Trafford to face Manchester United.
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
