Sandro Schwarz is treating New York Red Bulls' meeting with New York City FC as a blank slate but is looking forward to the "special atmosphere" of the derby.
The Red Bulls are winless in five matches since their return to MLS action after the Leagues Cup, alternating between draws and losses – they drew 2-2 with Atlanta United last time out – leaving them fourth in the Eastern Conference.
They lost the reverse fixture back in May 2-1, but Schwarz is adamant that history will not dictate the result of this meeting.
"It's a derby and that means a special atmosphere in our stadium, which is necessary for us," Schwarz said. "This is good to have this game now against New York City.
"It's a new situation, and now we have to show we are in a good spot and show our whole quality and energy, which we need to get three points.
"We don't think too much about the results in the past, we just need to focus on right now to get the three points."
Meanwhile, NYCFC are seventh in the table, three points behind their opponents, but they are on a 10-match winless streak in MLS, with their last win coming in early July.
They snatched a last-gasp 1-1 draw with Inter Miami last time out and head coach Nick Cushing is hopeful their fans can spur them on once again.
"Our fans were incredible in the Miami game,” he said. "I'm really proud of that.
"When I speak to our players, that was a huge factor in fighting and continuing to push [against Miami].
"Having the hunger and the desire to get something was, of course, for our league position and for our push toward the postseason, but it was also for our fans."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
New York Red Bulls – Julian Hall
Julian Hall recorded his first career assist against Atlanta to go along with his two goals.
At 16 years, 181 days, Hall is the second-youngest player in MLS history to record at least two goals and an assist, after Freddy Adu (14 years, 355 days).
New York City FC – James Sands
James Sands scored at 94:40 to earn NYCFC a point against Inter Miami last Saturday.
It was the third-latest result-changing goal in regular season play in club history and the latest that was not from the penalty spot.
MATCH PREDICTION: NEW YORK RED BULLS WIN
The Red Bulls have won 12 of their 16 home matches against New York City FC (D2 L2) in all competitions, including the last two in a row. The Red Bulls have limited NYCFC to eight goals in those 16 matches, allowing multiple goals only once (2-0 defeat in 2017).
However, 11 of the Red Bulls' last 15 matches in all competitions have ended in draws (W2 D2). They have not won in over two months, since a 3-1 victory over FC Cincinnati on July 20.
Meanwhile, New York City FC are winless in 11 straight away matches in all competitions dating back to June. NYCFC lost the first three of those but have managed to draw six of the last eight away from home (L2).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
New York Red Bulls – 48.4%
Draw – 25.8%
New York City FC – 25.8%
FC Cincinnati v Los Angeles FC: Noonan expecting tricky match against US Open Cup champions
Pat Noonan is expecting Los Angeles FC to pose a tough test to FC Cincinnati, especially as they are coming off the back of their US Open Cup success.
Cincinnati sit second in the Eastern Conference and are currently unbeaten in four matches, alternating between a win and a draw in that run.
They let a lead slip twice in a 2-2 draw with Nashville SC last time out though, and Noonan knows his side cannot let their guard down at TQL Stadium on Saturday.
"[LAFC] are coming in on a high," Noonan said. "They're a very strong team. They just won a trophy, and rightfully so, they should be coming in with good energy and excitement.
"They've won some [finals], they've lost some, but they have experience in getting there and knowing what those games look like.
"So, this isn't a final, but what you've come to expect from them is a team that knows how to get to big games and play in big games."
LAFC had lost each of their last four finals before Wednesday's triumph but put that behind them to beat Sporting Kansas City 3-1.
In MLS, they are fourth in the Western Conference, having failed to win any of their last five games.
Head coach Steve Cherundolo was pleased with their Cup success but acknowledged that they still had big improvements to make in the league.
"The theme of the last couple of weeks is that we've been hurting ourselves. Teams were not beating us, we were beating ourselves," Cherundolo said.
"That's troublesome and frustrating, but it's also a good problem to have. It means we're in control of our own destiny and this team understands that."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
FC Cincinnati – Luciano Acosta
Luciano Acosta has recorded 90 goal contributions over the last three seasons (39 goals, 51 assists).
He is just the second player in MLS history to record at least 90 goal contributions over a three-season span (Sebastian Giovinco – 92 from 2015-17).
Los Angeles FC – Mateusz Bogusz
Mateusz Bogusz has recorded a goal contribution in each of his last seven appearances on the road.
There has been only one longer single-season streak since the start of the 2020 season: Gustavo Bou – eight straight in 2021.
MATCH PREDICTION: FC CINCINNATI WIN
Cincinnati have won just three of their last eight regular-season home matches (D1 L4). They have scored 14 goals in the three wins in that time but managed just two goals in the other five matches.
Los Angeles won each of their first two meetings with Cincinnati, recording a 2-0 win in Los Angeles in April 2019 and a 2-1 win in Cincinnati in April 2022. LAFC are the only opponent Cincinnati have faced more than once in regular season play and have never come away with a point.
However, LAFC are winless in five straight regular season matches (D2 L3) following a 3-1 loss at FC Dallas on Saturday. Los Angeles have had only one longer winless run in regular season play in club history, going eight straight without a win in July-August 2021.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
FC Cincinnati – 40.9%
Draw – 26.7%
Los Angeles FC – 32.5%
Postecoglou lauds 'under pressure' Ten Hag ahead of Old Trafford test
Ange Postecoglou believes Erik ten Hag has done a "fantastic job" at Manchester United ahead of Tottenham's visit to Old Trafford this Sunday.
Ten Hag, who has won the EFL Cup and FA Cup during his tenure with the Red Devils, has been the focus of criticism for a lack of identity in his time at the helm.
The Dutchman led United to their worst-ever Premier League finish last term, along with conceding 58 goals - the most they have let in during their time in the top flight.
But Postecoglou, along with his opposite number, has endured a difficult start to the campaign, with Spurs 10th in the early-season standings with seven points.
The Spurs head coach has come under fire for his team's slow start, having previously said that he "always win trophies in his second season."
And the Australian's upcoming assignment is no easy task against a side Tottenham have historically struggled against at Old Trafford.
United have won 24 Premier League home games against Spurs – only Arsenal have beaten a team more often at home in the competition’s history (25 vs Everton).
Postecoglou has also seen his side fail to perform away from home, despite having taken 14 points from his first six Premier League away games in charge.
Since, Spurs have managed to take 14 points from 15 games away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (three wins, five draws and seven defeats).
Among ever-present Premier League teams across the last two seasons, no side has won fewer away games since the start of November 2023 than Spurs' three.
Bournemouth (24), Nottingham Forest (19) and Crystal Palace (15) are among the clubs to better their 14 away points won in that span.
A result for either side could kickstart their respective seasons, but Postecoglou showered praise on Ten Hag ahead of kick-off this Sunday.
"There’s always some manager under pressure," Postecoglou said.
"There must be a spinning board with all our faces on and whichever it lands on cops it for a week or two.
"He’s done a great job. He keeps mentioning he’s won two trophies and that’s not insignificant.
"Everyone keeps saying that is all I need to do but then there is always something expected after. It is a difficult job.
"It is tough to go to Old Trafford. Irrespective of managers, it is still a rather compelling home record. It is one we will be ready for."
CF Montreal v San Jose Earthquakes: Confidence the key in reaching playoffs, says Pearce
CF Montreal full-back Tom Pearce believes his new side have all the capabilities of reaching the playoffs, preaching confidence within the group as key to their recent success.
After back-to-back defeats to New England Revolution and FC Cincinnati, conceding nine goals in those games, this weekend’s hosts have gone three unbeaten in the MLS.
Montreal currently sit 10th in the Eastern Conference, two points behind the Philadelphia Union in the final playoff place heading into the last four games of the regular season.
And Pearce, who joined the club from Wigan Athletic in July, has every confidence his team-mates can pull together to keep their campaign going.
“We’re in a good place after picking up seven points out of nine in one week. It’s a confidence booster and, not just the results, but the performances have been good,” Pearce said.
“After the two defeats we had, we got together as a group and just had an honest conversation about how we needed to get the confidence back to turn things around.
“I think since then we have done well in the games; training has been better, and we have that belief that if we keep playing our way, then fingers crossed, we will make the playoffs.”
San Jose, meanwhile, were unable to build on their draw with the Seattle Sounders after going down 2-1 against fellow Western Conference strugglers St. Louis City last time out.
The Earthquakes have won just one of their last five MLS fixtures, leaving them at the foot of the standings and 13 points behind the rest of the pack.
But with four games of the season remaining, interim head coach Ian Russell is hoping his players can leave it all out on the pitch and end a disappointing season on a high.
“As a coach, you try and motivate them by getting them prepared first of all,” Russell said.
“Knowing that as a professional player, it is your job to play and to play hard every game, even though we are out of the playoffs.
“They are battling for contracts, and you would hope that would be enough motivation for them. There has been good energy, but we have started poorly in the last few matches.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Montreal – Caden Clark
Clark has now scored two goals in his last three MLS matches after finding the back of the net just once in his previous 60 regular season appearances dating back to June 2021.
San Jose – Jeremy Ebobisse
Ebobisse scored his 33rd career regular season goal for San Jose in their defeat on Saturday.
Only Chris Wondolowski (167) and Ronald Cerritos (61) have scored more goals for the Earthquakes in the club’s MLS history.
MATCH PREDICTION: MONTREAL WIN
Montreal have won four of their last six home matches in all competitions (L2), including each of the last two. Montreal have suffered only two defeats in their last 12 matches at home dating back to late May (W6 D4).
This will be the Earthquakes’ first visit to Montreal since July 2018, when the hosts recorded a 2-0 victory. In fact, Montreal have won all five of their home matches against San Jose by an aggregate score of 11-2.
San Jose’s 2-1 defeat to St. Louis last time out was their 22nd loss of the year, equalling the second-most defeats in a single season in the post-shootout era (since 2000). Only D.C. United in 2013 (24 losses) have suffered more defeats in a single season in the post-shootout era.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Montreal – 52.3%
Draw – 24.4%
San Jose – 23.4%
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