Vancouver Whitecaps clinched their playoff place at the weekend, and Vanni Sartini does not want his players to play differently against Seattle Sounders.

The Whitecaps may be winless in their last three matches, but their 1-1 draw with Portland Timbers on Saturday was enough to secure their place in the postseason for the third time in the last four seasons.

They are currently seventh in the Western Conference, but Sartini is hopeful they can return to winning ways to push higher up the table.

"We have the luck to be already qualified, so even though it's not like a do or die, we can't be scared," Sartini said.

"Now it's all about the prize that is in front of us. And the prize will hopefully make us perform in a way that is with no restraint, with no fear, with a lot of confidence and going there to try to win.”

"It's all about trying to get into that [postseason] kind of mentality and habits of being a team that can play and win games. We want to try to become playoff winners."

Meanwhile, Seattle, who are unbeaten in four, sit three points and two places above their opponents ahead of Wednesday's meeting.

They ground out a 1-0 victory over Houston Dynamo last time out, and now Brian Schmetzer is aiming to find consistency after securing their own playoff place.

"We're going to play our best team against Vancouver and then Colorado," he said.

"There's no more experimenting. We need to get some consistency and make sure the 11 players I believe are the best continue to grow together as a group."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Vancouver Whitecaps – Brian White

Brian White has scored 15 goals in back-to-back seasons after only Camilo Sanvezzo (22 in 2013) hit that mark in the Whitecaps first 12 MLS campaigns.

White joins Denis Bouanga and Cucho Hernandez as the only three players with 15 goals in each of the last two MLS seasons.

Seattle Sounders – Paul Rothrock

Paul Rothrock's goal in Seattle's 1-0 win over Houston on Saturday was the 23rd by an American player for the Sounders this regular season.

Only Colorado Rapids (30) have had more goals scored by American players in 2024.

MATCH PREDICTION: VANCOUVER WHITECAPS WIN

The Whitecaps have lost only one of their six meetings with Seattle since September 2022 (W3 D2). Prior to that, Seattle had won 10 of the previous 14 meetings (D4) between the sides.

Vancouver have lost only two of their last 12 regular-season matches (W6 D4) dating back to late June. The Whitecaps conceded eight total goals in the two defeats (four in each match) while allowing nine total goals in the other 10 matches in that time.

Meanwhile, Seattle have won seven of their last 11 away matches in all competitions (D1 L3), including a 4-0 win at Columbus Crew in their last away match. The Sounders had won just seven of their previous 34 on the road prior to this run.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Vancouver Whitecaps – 41.2%

Draw – 26.7%

Seattle Sounders – 32.1%

While the New York Red Bulls have accomplished their mission of reaching the playoffs, head coach Sandro Schwarz has laid down the law to his players ahead of their trip to Toronto FC.

The Red Bulls suffered a humiliating 5-1 home defeat against cross-city rivals New York City last time out, going 2-0 down within just six minutes and 55 seconds of kick-off.

They did, however, clinch a playoff place due to other results going their way, boasting a seven-point cushion over eighth-placed Toronto, who only have two games remaining.

"It was different emotions last weekend," Schwarz said. "We were very disappointed about the game, and on the other side we were satisfied with qualifying for the playoffs.

"When we see the big picture, this was good, but it's more about the emotions from the last game to be honest.

"We had a lot of individual talks, me with individual players, about the game and the behaviour. Now the feeling it was necessary to have this open communication."

Toronto conceded a late equaliser against the Chicago Fire – who are out of playoff contention – on Saturday to damage their postseason hopes.

After that 1-1 draw, John Herdman's side only occupy a wild-card place due to having more wins than the Philadelphia Union and CF Montreal, both of whom have a game in hand.

"We were six minutes away from taking three points, so it's a big missed opportunity," Herdman said. 

"Results in MLS went our way. We could have been two points clear of the other teams. But it is what it is.

"That last goal, if we're fresh, that doesn't happen. All in all, given it's been a heavy week, I thought the lads put a hell of a shift in."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Toronto FC – Prince Osei Owusu 

Owusu scored Toronto's lone goal in their draw with the Fire from the penalty spot. It was just their second penalty goal this season and first on the road since the opening day of the 2023 season. He will hope for a shorter wait for his next opportunity from the spot.

New York Red Bulls – Dante Vanzeir

Vanzeir has scored in each of the Red Bulls' last two matches. He has 13 goal involvements in MLS this term (four goals, nine assists), with only Lewis Morgan registering more for the Red Bulls (14 – 12 goals and two assists).

MATCH PREDICTION – NEW YORK RED BULLS WIN

The Red Bulls are unbeaten in 11 straight meetings with Toronto in all competitions (seven wins, four draws). New York have also kept clean sheets in each of the last five meetings.

They have won their last two games against Toronto by a 3-0 scoreline, including when the sides last faced off in June. With Toronto winless in four matches in all competitions, they may fancy their chances of another victory.

None of Toronto's last 27 home matches have ended in a draw (12 wins, 15 draws). This equals the longest streak without a home draw in all competitions for an MLS team in the post-shootout era (since 2000), along with the New England Revolution from 2001-02.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Toronto FC – 30.1%

New York Red Bulls – 45%

Draw – 24.9%

Colorado Rapids head coach Chris Armas is adamant his team will bounce back from defeat when they face LA Galaxy in MLS on Wednesday.

The Rapids suffered a 3-0 defeat to Minnesota United on Saturday, only managing one shot on target in an underwhelming performance.

They have already clinched a playoff spot, sitting fourth in the Western Conference, but have now lost two of their last three outings (winning the other one).

And Armas is confident his team will once again bounce back from defeat, based on their mentality throughout the season.

"I can tell you that our group responds, they respond when we have losses," Armas said. "We've done it all year in a big way.

"So, we'll look to do that again. We around here at the Rapids this year, from the very first game, we've not gotten too low, we've not gotten too high – this is another case of that.

"We rebound, take a hard look, we recover, and we get things ready for Wednesday."

Meanwhile, LA Galaxy bounced back from a 4-2 defeat to Portland Timbers with a 4-2 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps last time out.

They may have a six-point lead in the table, but head coach Greg Vanney is still looking to make improvements so they can finish the season strong.

"We have two on the road and one at home, and we'll take any advantage we can get to finish on top," Vanney said.

"Sometimes our unselfishness is that we're trying to make a more perfect moment to finish, but you want to try and just keep it as smooth as possible down the stretch."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Colorado Rapids – Djordje Mihailovic

Colorado's 3-0 loss at Minnesota United on Saturday was just the third time the club was shut out this season with only Inter Miami (twice) failing to score less often.

They were kept quiet in front of goal in that defeat, with only Djordje Mihailovic registering more than one shot (two), and he was the only one to hit the target.

LA Galaxy – Joseph Paintsil

Joseph Paintsil's goal against Vancouver Whitecaps on September 21 was his 10th of the regular season, joining teammates Dejan Joveljic (14), Gabriel Pec (13) and Riqui Puig (11) in double figures.

The Galaxy are the first team in MLS history with four double-digit goalscorers in a single season.

MATCH PREDICTION: COLORADO RAPIDS WIN

The Rapids are unbeaten in five straight home matches against the Galaxy (W3 D2). This is Colorado's longest home unbeaten run against LA in all competitions since a seven-match run (W6 D1) in 2006-09.

Indeed, Colorado are unbeaten in 10 straight regular-season home matches (W8 D2), including winning the last three in a row. The Rapids have had only three longer home unbeaten runs in a single season in club history, most recently a 16-match run in 2021.

The Galaxy have totaled 58 points this season, already their most in a single season since 2014 (61). The Galaxy are two points away from becoming the first team in MLS history to record four seasons with at least 60 points (1998, 2011, 2014).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Colorado Rapids – 42.1%

Draw – 26.7%

LA Galaxy – 31.2%

Girona have been rocked by a couple of injury blows ahead of the first home Champions League game in their history, but coach Michel says they will go all out to beat Feyenoord.

The Catalan side, who qualified for Europe's premier club competition for the first time by finishing third in LaLiga last season, lost 1-0 at Paris Saint-Germain on matchday one.

On the domestic front, they played out a 1-1 draw with Celta Vigo on Sunday, losing key men Oriol Romeu and Daley Blind to injury.

The former is expected to miss around eight weeks with the latter likely to be sidelined for a month, but Michel is choosing to remain upbeat ahead of Girona's historic outing.

"It's our new reality. We need to take it one game at a time," Michel told reporters ahead of Wednesday's game at the Estadi Montilivi.

"The midfield without Romeu is short-handed. But tomorrow, we need the best possible eleven to win. We have to look at it like that.

"I'm especially worried about the psychological issue. Romeu didn't play against Rayo Vallecano and got injured. The most important thing is that the head is fine. My concern is to go game by game and the team that plays will be the best possible."

After going toe-to-toe with Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona for much of the last campaign, Girona are now being tested by the best sides in Europe and Michel acknowledged it is a challenge to juggle domestic and continental duties.

Girona have had an underwhelming start to the season in LaLiga, winning two and drawing three of their eight matches to sit 12th with nine points.

"The pressure of playing LaLiga and Champions League is difficult. We want to win because making history in the Champions League is a dream for us and for our fans, those who will be on the pitch and those who will be away," Michel said.

"Hearing the Champions League anthem at home will be historic in Girona. The maturity of this squad is great. We have players with a lot of experience who know how to handle this situation.

"From my perspective as a coach, from a management point of view, it is easier to manage the change towards the Champions League. 

"From the 'boom' of playing in the Champions League you need to return to the reality of the league, which is what is going to give us the possibility to continue growing."

John Stones says that while Manchester City will miss Rodri, his absence will give other players in the team a chance to shine.

The Spaniard suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury that required surgery in City's 2-2 draw with Arsenal in the Premier League on September 22.

Rodri played 50 matches in all competitions for Pep Guardiola's side last season, proving a key player as they won a fourth-consecutive top-flight title.

The team often struggled without him in the squad though, with their win rate dropping from 76% to 55.6% in the nine games they played without him.

With Kevin De Bruyne also currently on the sidelines, Rico Lewis, Mateo Kovacic and Ilkay Gundogan played in midfield in their 1-1 draw with Newcastle United on Saturday.

And Stones, who has also been utilised in midfield by Guardiola in the past, says it is an exciting opportunity for the other players to step into the role.

"He's a big miss for us, we all know that," Stones told TNT Sports.

"We're still in contact off the pitch, and we miss him on there, as we do anyone who gets injured.

"We all wish him a speedy recovery. He's a big presence for us on the pitch in how he plays the game and what he's done over the past few years.

"But then again, we've got incredible players that can play in that position, and it's time and a chance for them to, not step up, but step in and show their qualities, whoever plays in that position which is quite fluid sometimes.

"He'll be a big miss for us this season, as anyone would who had that injury. It's exciting for us as players to fill that position and see what comes of it."

City's next match is against Slavan Bratislava in the Champions League on Tuesday. 

Portmore United finally broke their winless run in the 2024/25 Wray and Nephew Jamaica Premier League (JPL) season when they edged Tivoli Gardens in a come-from-behind 2-1 scoreline at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex on Monday night.

The victory, secured by a late strike from substitute Javier Brown in the 89th minute, marked the St Catherine-based club’s first taste of success after three games, lifting the weight of early season pressure from their shoulders. 

Junior Grizzelle (45+1) also struck for Portmore United, after 19-year-old Nickalia Fuller gave Tivoli Gardens a 40th-minute lead.

With the win, Portmore United moved up the standings from 13th to 10th, giving their fans and coach Rudolph Austin reason to hope that a revival is on the cards.

“It was a really good performance by the team; they went out there and they executed what we planned throughout the week, so hats off to them. They showed a lot of character when they went down and came back and won the game so that was brilliant. The fight they showed is the Portmore United I know, work hard, play to the end, and win games.

“That is why we won seven championships, so that is what I want my players to always do; go out and express themselves. Even if you make a mistake, keep going. So hopefully this is the start of a successful run for us but one thing I can tell you is that I won’t let up,” Austin declared in a post-game interview.

Romeo Guthrie marshalled Portmore United's midfield.

The former Reggae Boy turned coach also heaped praise on former Arnett Garden stalwart Romeo Guthrie, whose performance—marked by two assists—reinforced the importance of the team’s creative spark.

But the night belonged to former Vere United captain Brown, the unlikely hero who ensured Portmore United ended with three precious points.

“When I used to play against Vere United, he [Brown] was always in our box, so I knew he had that in him, and he was hungry to deliver for us. But I can’t leave out Guthrie; I think he had a very good game... all the guys played well, but I think Guthrie was outstanding,” Austin added.

The match unfolded as a one-sided affair for the most part, as Portmore United dictated the pace and forced Tivoli Gardens back for long spells. In fact, they peppered Tivoli’s goal with 15 shots, 10 of which were on target, displaying a level of control and intent that had been missing in their earlier fixtures.

Grizzelle fired Portmore United’s first warning shot in the third minute that caught Tivoli Gardens’ goalkeeper Diego Haughton off his line, but the effort kissed the crossbar on its way out.

Five minutes later, Jahien Rose also pulled the trigger from a distance, but that shot was tipped over by Haughton diving full stretch.

Tivoli Gardens later settled and went close through Fuller, who drove into the 18-yard box and got off a left-footed effort that was kept out by Daniel Russell in goal for Portmore United.

However, Fuller, a former Excelsior High standout, broke the deadlock on his second attempt, as he released a delightful left-footed strike from a tight angle outside the 18-yard box that had Russell well beaten.

That was all the West Kingston team would get as they only mustered four shots, with Fuller’s efforts the only two on target.

Such was Portmore United’s dominance from that point on as Guthrie stamped his mark on the game. The industrious playmaker, who was at the heart of most of Portmore United’s attacking moves, provided the assist for the equaliser on the stroke of the interval.

He dispossessed a defender deep in Tivoli Gardens quarters and played off a pass for Grizzelle, whose tap in left Haughton rooted to the spot as they went to the break with the score levelled at 1-1.

Junior Grizzelle scored the opener.

But even with the scores level, the momentum never truly shifted away from Portmore after the interval. They pressed forward relentlessly in a sustained attacking spell that forced Tivoli to defend deep and absorb pressure.

Tedj Bryan should have put Portmore United ahead in the 47th when he picked up a poor clearance from Haughton, but his tame effort was kept out by the custodian, who stuck out the right leg. 

They thought they had the breakthrough in the 65th when Okelo Howard played a timely through pass into the final third for Tarick Ximines to finish, but the goal was called back for an offside.

Ximines was at it again in the 75th as he outmuscled a defender on his way towards goal. However, his final effort was denied by Haughton's outstretched right leg.

As the clock ticked down, it seemed the go-ahead goal would elude Portmore United, and they would have to settle for another frustrating draw.

Enter Brown, who replaced Ximines in the attack.

In the dying embers of the match, Guthrie once again turned provider, threading a clever pass into Brown’s path. With a burst of pace and a clinical finish, Brown drove a firm right-footer past the slightly advanced Haughton to send the Portmore bench and fans into frenzy.

Tivoli Gardens Head coach Jerome Waite acknowledged that his team needs to be sharper and more assertive as their defensive effort was found wanting, while their inability to match Portmore United’s intensity was glaring.

“We defeated ourselves because the two goals came from poor defensive errors and Portmore United capitalised on both of them. It is our second game, so we still have a lot of work to do, and at the same time they will have to learn and understand where the system of play is concerned,” Waite said.

Matchweek 3 Results

Harbour View 2, Molynes United 1

Vere United 1, Humble Lion 1

Waterhouse 0, Cavalier 2

Arnett Gardens 1, Racing United 1

Chapelton Maroons 0, Montego Bay United 1

Portmore United 2, Tivoli Gardens 1

Dunbeholden vs Mount Pleasant (Postponed)

Caleb Porter says New England Revolution need to show they are fighters against Houston Dynamo as they look to build on their latest win.

The Revs beat Nashville SC 1-0 at the weekend to move off the foot of the Eastern Conference, snapping a five-match winless streak in the process.

They are just six points off a playoff spot with four games left to play, and Porter is hoping for more of the same mentality to come away with three points.

"We talked a lot last week about just having a better mentality, not being quite as emotional, and just being more steady and having ice in our veins a little bit more," Porter said, as quoted in the Blazing Musket substack.

"We are going to have to, at times, absorb. [Houston] are one of the best possession teams in the league.

"We are going to have to keep the game tight. From here on out, we have to be tough to play against. We are going to keep showing we are fighters, and we are going to be organized."

Meanwhile, Houston clinched their playoff spot at the weekend, despite a 1-0 defeat to Seattle Sounders due to FC Dallas' loss, as they sit sixth in the Western Conference.

It is the second year running they are in the postseason, and head coach Ben Olsen is hopeful they can use that as motivation to get back to winning ways.

"We are excited about being in the postseason and that's a big deal," Olsen said.

"These guys have worked really hard all year to get us into this position. We have a tough team in town in New England, so we have to focus on that as we turn the page on a disappointing result in Seattle."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Houston Dynamo – Griffin Dorsey

The Dynamo held 62.4% possession against the Sounders on Saturday, the 14th time Houston held at least 60% of the ball in 2024, the third-most games on record in an MLS season since Opta began detailed data collection of MLS in 2010.

Griffin Dorsey finished the game with a 100% pass completion rate in that defeat, not misplacing any of his 41 passes in the 80 minutes he was on the pitch.

New England Revolution – Aljaz Ivacic

After conceding multiple goals in each of their previous five league matches, New England secured a 1-0 win over Nashville on Saturday.

The Revolution have not kept consecutive regular-season clean sheets since the opening two matches of the 2023 season, with the second of those coming against Houston, and Aljaz Ivacic will be keen to get another shutout.

MATCH PREDICTION: HOUSTON DYNAMO WIN

New England have won seven of their last nine matches against Houston (D1 L1) dating back to the beginning of the 2014 season. However, the Dynamo's only win in that time came in the last meeting between the sides in Houston, a 3-1 victory in September 2022.

Houston's five-match unbeaten run came to an end on Saturday with a 1-0 loss at Seattle. The Dynamo have not lost consecutive matches in all competitions since losses to Austin FC and FC Dallas in late April.

Meanwhile, New England have lost 13 of their last 17 MLS away matches (incl. playoffs) dating back to the start of October 2023. The Revs have lost their last three on the road, being outscored 9-0 in those games.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Houston Dynamo – 61.1%

Draw – 20.5%

New England Revolution – 18.4%

Trinidad and Tobago’s caretaker head coach Derek King has assembled a group of home-based players to kick start preparations for the two upcoming Concacaf Nations League Group B League A matches against Cuba in Santiago on October 10 and at the Dwight Yorke Stadium on October 14.

King, who led the team in last month’s matches against Honduras and French Guiana, is focused on strength and conditioning, and will later switch to outfield work throughout the sessions, which will be conducted at the Larry Gomes and Hasely Crawford Stadium this week.

Among the players in the provisional mix are regulars Duane Muckette, Ross Russell Jr., Alvin Jones, Kevon Woodley, Denzil Smith, Christopher Biggette, Michel Poon-Angeron and Justin Garcia.

Recalled is Miscellaneous Police’s Joevin Jones, while Kevin Molino has also been invited and has participated in the sessions.

“We have maintained a strong focus on fitness, strength and conditioning, along with mental fitness training. Our primary goal remains ensuring that each player is both physically and mentally prepared to compete at the highest level. The commitment and energy from the team thus far have been exemplary, and we are confident in our progress as we build toward these crucial fixtures,” King told TTFA Media.

“I want to thank the local clubs, the TTPFL, and the TTFA for all the cooperation so far. We will continue to refine our strategies, improve individual and collective performances, and ensure the team is in peak condition to achieve the results we need,” King added.

Among other players King has invited to be part of the provisional squad are John-Paul Rochford, Jelani Peters, Ezekiel Kesar, and Jamal Jack.

The final squad will be announced on the weekend, with the contingent departing for Santiago on October 6.

King's side is currently at the foot of Group B with a point and must win both games against Cuba to keep their chances of progressing alive. In fact, should they fail to secure those six points, they will face relegation to League B.

The 12 matches that will be played in October will determine the winners and runners-up that will join Concacaf’s four top-ranked teams—Canada, Mexico, Panama, and the United States—in the quarterfinals, while the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth-place finishers will progress to the 2025 Gold Cup Prelims and Concacaf Nations League Play-In, respectively.

The Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals will be played in a home-and-away format in November 2024, with the aggregate score winner in each matchup advancing to the 2025 Concacaf Nations League Finals and qualifying for the 2025 Gold Cup. The losing quarterfinalists will advance to the 2025 Gold Cup Prelims.

Cristiano Ronaldo says his focus has shifted away from trying to break individual records as he does not have "much time left on the pitch".

The 39-year-old scored what proved to be the match-winning goal in a 2-1 victory for Al-Nassr over Al-Rayyan of Qatar in their AFC Champions League Group B match on Monday.

It was his 904th career goal, having recently hit the 900-landmark during Portugal's Nations League opener against Croatia.

With Al-Nassr currently on a four-match winning streak in all competitions under new manager Stefano Pioli, Ronaldo insisted his aim was to help the team where he could instead of chasing personal achievements.

"It was a strong and difficult match, like all the matches in the AFC Champions League, but the most important thing is that we created many chances and defended well to prevent the opponent from creating easy chances," Ronaldo told a press conference after the match.

"I'm just enjoying playing football now, as I know I don't have much time left on the pitch.

"It is not important anymore whether I am the best or not, I no longer care about that. It is good for a player to score goals, but for me, it is better for the team to win.

"I am used to breaking records and I no longer look for them. The most important thing for me now is to enjoy and help Al-Nassr and my teammates to win."

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has scored 71 goals since joining Al-Nassr in December 2022.

Last season, he became the top scorer in a single season in the Saudi Pro League, netting 35 times as the team finished second behind Al-Hilal.

Jim Curtin is confident the Philadelphia Union have put themselves in a good position, but admits they need to stop dropping points ahead of their trip to Orlando City.

The Union had recorded back-to-back wins in MLS before last weekend, when they let a lead slip to draw 1-1 with Atlanta United.

It leaves them ninth in the Eastern Conference, one of three teams on 37 points, as they push for a place in the playoffs.

Despite the tight table, Curtin is optimistic that their solid work to this point will be enough to help them qualify.

"We're at a point in the year that every team in and around that red line are very desperate," he said.

"It's going to go down to the last day for sure, and we've put ourselves in a situation where we're still in control of our own destiny, but our margin for error is small.

"Not taking the extra two points against Atlanta makes it a little more challenging, no doubts about that."

Meanwhile, Orlando clinched their playoff place last time out with a 3-1 win over FC Dallas.

Sitting fourth in the table, Oscar Pareja was proud of how his team turned around a poor start to the campaign but is still pushing them to finish the regular season strongly.

"We're so excited, and we have a lot of gratitude with the club and with the fans that have supported us this year," Pareja said. "One more time we qualify for the playoffs.

"It's great for a group of players that have a big heart and a big love for the club too, and a lot of passion for what they do. So, I'm very happy.

"We still have a journey to navigate. The boys are in a good mentality."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Orlando City – Facundo Torres

With a goal on Saturday, Facundo Torres has contributed to at least one goal in five straight regular season matches, equalling the longest streak of his career.

The Orlando City club record for consecutive games with a goal contribution is six, done three times before, including by Martin Ojeda earlier this season.

Philadelphia Union – Nathan Harriel

The Union drew, 1-1, with Atlanta United on Saturday despite taking a 1-0 lead, with Harriel scoring their lone goal.

Philadelphia have now dropped 24 points from winning positions this season, the second-most in MLS in 2024 (St. Louis City – 25) and most in a single season in club history, and Harriel will want to help his fellow defenders ensure it does not happen again.

MATCH PREDICTION: ORLANDO CITY WIN

Orlando defeated the Union 3-2 at Subaru Park on May 11. The Lions have never defeated Philadelphia twice in a single season before.

Indeed, Orlando are unbeaten in nine straight home matches (W6 D3) in all competitions, including keeping clean sheets in each of the last four. This is the first time they kept clean sheets in four straight home matches in all competitions in club history.

Meanwhile, the Union have won two of their last three regular-season away matches (L1), including a 5-1 victory at New York City FC on September 18. Philadelphia had won only one of their previous eight road league matches prior to this run.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Orlando City – 45.9%

Draw – 26.7%

Philadelphia Union – 27.4%

Brendan Rodgers says Celtic are under "no illusions" they are in for a tough test against Borussia Dortmund in front of the 'Yellow Wall' in the Champions League.

Celtic got off to a flying start in the last round, brushing aside Slovan Bratislava 5-1 last month to win their Champions League opener for the first time, and sit second in the table behind Bayern Munich. 

Having also won their final group-stage match last season, Rodgers' side are looking to win three consecutive matches in the competition for the first time since 1976.

But coming up against last season's runners-up, who began their campaign with a 3-0 victory over Club Brugge, is a different prospect for the Scottish champions.

Asked if this was the "acid test" for his side, Rodgers said: "I think this level is about as much about the head as it is about the skill. I don't doubt that with this team.

"I think we arrive in a great place. I am very relaxed and focused that we can get a result that builds on the first result."

Celtic have started the season in fine form and top the Scottish Premiership having won all six of their games, scoring 20 goals while conceding none.

Despite their strong start, Rodgers is looking back to pre-season to draw inspiration, after beating Manchester City and Chelsea in friendlies, scoring four times past both in back-to-back matches.

"I track it back to pre-season," he said. "The games that we played there, played some big teams and how we wanted to play at this level.

"We got off to a very good start in the last round, so we come here to a stadium very much like Celtic Park in that they breathe football, and we're very excited by the challenge.

"We are under no illusions that we are up against a team who are challenging at the very top of elite football, but for us, I've always said, whether domestically or away in this competition, it is about making us very difficult to play against with and without the ball.

"Offensively, Dortmund are very good. They lost some players in the summer, but I look at the team, and they have some fantastic players in that middle-to-top area, so will put you on the back foot at times.

"It is a top side with top players, and we have to be right on it to get a good performance and result."

Phil Neville knows his Portland Timbers team have their fate in their own hands, and says they are "exactly where we want to be".

The Timbers drew 1-1 with their Pacific north-west rivals the Vancouver Whitecaps last time out.

With FC Dallas losing to Orlando City, Portland are eight points clear in the final playoff wildcard spot in the Western Conference with only nine points left to play for.

It means that a win against Austin FC on Wednesday would guarantee the Timbers' place in the postseason.

A draw may also be enough, depending on Dallas' result elsewhere, though Portland then face the team from Texas in their penultimate regular-season match.

Neville said: "It's in our own hands.

"What I've said to the players is that at the start of the season, when we were in preseason and setting the goals for the season, if we'd have known with three games to go, our destination is in our hands, then I think we would have snatched their hands off.

"Now it's over to us, it's up to us to do what we do at home.

"Two really tough games against two really well-coached teams but it's in our own hands. We’re exactly where we want to be and we want to chase down the people in front of us."

Austin are not mathematically out of the equation for the playoffs, though they would have to win to keep their slender hopes alive.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Portland Timbers - Evander

Evander has recorded an assist in an MLS-record nine straight home matches.

The Brazilian has 12 assists in home matches this season and could equal the third-most in a single season in league history with one more as only Carlos Valderrama (15 in 2000) and Preki (15 in 1997) had more than 13 in a single season.

Austin FC - Sebastian Driussi

Two years ago, Driussi plundered 25 goals in MLS. Last year, he scored 11.

It has been slim pickings in comparison this term for the Austin playmaker, who has netted five times, and has not scored since May in the league. If he is to come good, this is the time to do it.

MATCH PREDICTION: PORTLAND WIN

Austin scored in the 81st and 89th minutes to come from 2-0 down to earn a draw against Real Salt Lake on Saturday.

It marked the second time Austin have overcome a two-goal deficit in the 80th minute or later also doing so in a 3—2 win against D.C. United in April 2022.

However, the Timbers are made the favourites by Opta's model.

Austin have managed just six wins in 38 away from home in all competitions (D9 L23), while the Timbers have won 10 of their last 12 home matches in all competitions (D2). Portland have scored four times in five of those 12 matches, including three of the last four.

The Timbers have won five of their last six matches against Austin (D1) after losing each of the first two meetings, both in Austin.

Austin scored seven goals in their first two matches against Portland but have managed just five goals in the six meetings since.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Portland Timbers - 53.4%

Austin - 22.7%

Draw - 23.9%

Los Angeles FC coach Steve Cherundolo labelled Denis Bouanga as "unstoppable" when the forward is at his best.

Bouanga came off the bench to score the winner as LAFC beat FC Cincinnati 2-1 over the weekend.

That victory saw LAFC, fresh from winning the US Open Cup, clinch their spot in the playoffs.

Bouanga, who has scored 18 goals and set up a further eight in MLS this season, was not impressed with having to settle for a super-sub role, but Cherundolo cares not.

"Denis always wants to play; he never wants to rest," Cherundolo said.

"He was quite upset with me for not starting. And that's okay. Everybody can hate me, that's fine.

"But I think freshness and also making sure he's getting enough rest makes him also better.

"Obviously, he's physically capable of playing every game, but when he loses his explosiveness, he is still extremely good and we're happy to have him.

"But with explosiveness and freshness, he's unstoppable."

Ahead of playing St. Louis City SC on Wednesday, the challenge that now faces LAFC is to go on and secure a home playoff seed.

"To have that sort of response, it's going to be huge going forward for us," defender Ryan Hollingshead said after the win over Cincinnati.

"The team's already confident. And then you throw that result on top of it, I think it's going to be exactly what we need to go get a really good seed in the West moving forward and then go make another run for a cup."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

LAFC - Kei Kamara

Kamara set up LAFC's opener against Cincinnati.

It was Kamara's 49th assist in MLS. He is now one away from becoming the fifth player in league history with 100 goals and 50 assists.

St. Louis City SC - Cedric Teuchert

Teuchert has recorded eight goal contributions in his first seven MLS matches (five goals, three assists), including three in Saturday's win over Sporting Kansas City.

He is the first player to record eight goal contributions in his first seven MLS matches since Alejandro Pozuelo (10) in 2019.

MATCH PREDICTION: LAFC WIN

St. Louis, who are 12th in the Western Conference, are unbeaten in four straight away matches for the first time in club history. Indeed, they have lost only six of their last 15 on the road dating back to the beginning of March (W1 D8).

However, LAFC are nevertheless backed by Opta's predictor. They have now hit 50 points in five of their six full MLS seasons, becoming one of two teams, along with the Philadelphia Union, to reach 50 points five times in the last six full seasons dating back to 2018 (excluding the shortened 2020 season).

The omens are good for LAFC, who are unbeaten against St. Louis, winning two of the three meetings (D1). In fact, LAFC have kept clean sheets in all three matches against St. Louis, making them the only opponent the latter have faced but never scored against.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

LAFC - 62.1%

St. Louis City - 17.8%

Draw - 20%

Barcelona have set midfielder Marc Bernal's buyout clause at €500million and extended the 17-year-old's contract until June 2026, the LaLiga club said on Monday

When Spaniard Bernal will no longer be an Under-19 player in 2026, he will have an option to extend for an additional three years, Barca added.

Bernal ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during Barca's 2-1 victory at Rayo Vallecano last month, where he was forced off the pitch in the final minutes.

A product of Barcelona's youth academy, Bernal has made three league appearances since his debut for the senior team in their LaLiga opener against Valencia.

"Barcelona and Marc Bernal have reached an agreement on an adjustment of the player's contract, which binds him to the club until 30 June 2026, when his status as an U19 player ends, with the option to three more years," a Barca statement read on Monday.

"The buyout clause has been set at €500million.

"Marc Bernal was, until his unfortunate injury, the huge sensation at the start of the season.

"After he joined manager Hansi Flick for the pre-season, the German coach was convinced that he was ready to move up to the next level.

"The club is convinced that he is a fabulous investment for the future and has reflected this belief with today's new deal." 

Russell Martin said he was "hurt" by Southampton's first-half performance and he did not recognise his side in an abject 3-1 loss to south coast rivals Bournemouth.

The Saints found themselves 3-0 down at the break at the Vitality Stadium on Monday as goals from Evanilson, Dango Ouattara and Antoine Semenyo had Bournemouth in cruise control.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis gave Southampton a fighting chance early in the second half but the damage was already done, leaving Martin's men winless and with a just a solitary point from six Premier League games.

"It [the first goal] disrupts everything, not just concentration. We started really well with two good moments in the game," the Southampton boss told Sky Sports.

"We showed the guys how Bournemouth like to play quick free-kicks, but we switched off in exactly the same way we did against [Manchester] United and we again didn't respond well after a set-back.

"I'm so hurt by the first-half performance after the first goal - I didn't recognise our team. 

"Normally I'm proud of them for the courage they show, but there was no aggression, no courage, no intensity to play. They were in self-preservation mode on the pitch and the body language I didn't recognise.

"I didn't recognise them and I didn't like it one bit. In the second half we showed a lot of fight and courage but it was too late. It's on me to give them the tools to come back from a setback but we have not learned from the Manchester United game two weeks ago and that's a problem.

"We were soft. If you do not run and fight, make contact and take things personally then it's going to be a problem."

He added: "I have to question myself. I thought I made enough of a deal about how Bournemouth approach the game and how they are good at certain things but it looks like we were unprepared and considering the work we have done is crazy.

"I will never ever blame a group of players, we're together but I didn't like what I saw and am hurt by the lack of spirit and fight, that's nothing I've not told the team. It's my problem to sort out.

"I didn't identify my team in the first half in terms of attitude, spirit and fight. I didn't get this far as a player or a manager on just talent, it's about mentality and I've not passed that on enough to the players."

Semenyo scored his third Premier League goal of the season with a wonderful solo effort that rounded off an opening period of Bournemouth dominance, while the first was a bit of quick thinking from Marcus Tavernier to set up Evanilson's first for the club.

Semenyo told Sky Sports: "We watched a couple of videos in the meetings in the week and we knew we could catch them out with quick free-kicks.

"Buzzing for Evanilson - he is going be a problem this year."

On his own effort, he added: "It felt wonderful. I wanted to create space and get a shot away.

"It rifled in the bottom corner, a great finish."