Nashville SC interim head coach Rumba Munthali believes his team are close to reaching their best level if they can improve the small margins against Portland Timbers.

The Coyotes have lost their last two matches against Inter Miami and Columbus Crew on the back of a three-match unbeaten streak in MLS.

They sit seventh in the Eastern Conference, but Munthali is keen to get back to winning ways quickly to hold off the teams below them in the table.

"It was a tough-to-swallow loss against a good team [Columbus] but I thought we showed some good positive steps," Munthali said.

"I don't think we're far off, it's just small little details. There are things we still have time to get better at and make sure we finish as close as possible.

"I think we need to keep working on our finishing in practice. We are scoring goals, just not all the time, and we're only off by small margins. Nothing to dwell on, just things to work on and get more efficient at."

Nashville announced earlier this week they have hired B.J. Callahan to become their new head coach, and will officially join them on July 22.

Meanwhile, Portland are sixth in the Western Conference, after their seven-match unbeaten streak was snapped in a 3-2 defeat to FC Dallas on Thursday.

Head coach Phil Neville was left frustrated by some of the refereeing decisions in that match and is hoping they can quickly put that result behind them.

"We've got to lick our wounds and move on to Sunday," Neville said. "Sunday's becoming a difficult game, an even bigger one at home.

"We've been on a great run, but the last game was disappointing, and we'll have to begin a new one on Sunday. We move on and we keep going."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Portland Timbers – Antony

Antony scored one and assisted one in Portland's last game, but it was not enough as the team fell to a 3-2 loss against Dallas.

It marked the eighth time this season they have failed to win a match in which they have scored multiple goals, something only Philadelphia Union (10 times) have done more often this season.

Nashville SC – Hany Mukhtar

Nashville SC attempted eight shots in their defeat at Columbus Crew on Wednesday, the 10th time this season they have taken fewer than 10 shots in a match.

Hany Mukhtar was their biggest threat once more, as he had three of those, the most of anyone on the team, though he only managed one on target.

MATCH PREDICTION: PORTLAND TIMBERS WIN

The Timbers have never lost to Nashville, recording a win in the first-ever meeting between the sides before the last two matches ended in draws.

Portland are unbeaten in their last five home games (won four, drawn one), scoring at least two goals in all five matches. The Timbers have not scored multiple goals in six straight games at Providence Park in all competitions since doing so to end the 2017 regular season.

Meanwhile, Nashville have won only three of their last 19 regular-season road games (drawn seven, lost nine) dating back to last June. Nashville have to score in 11 of those 19 matches, including their 2-0 loss at Columbus on Wednesday.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Portland Timbers – 44.8%

Draw – 26.9%

Nashville SC – 28.3%

Spain have confirmed that Pedri will miss the rest of Euro 2024 after suffering a 'grade two knee sprain' in Friday's quarter-final victory over Germany.

Pedri had to be substituted after just eight minutes in the clash in Stuttgart following a heavy tackle from Toni Kroos.

Spain won 2-1 after extra-time thanks to Mikel Merino's late strike and will face France in the semi-finals in Munich next Tuesday. 

In a statement post on X, it read: "The medical tests carried out have determined that Pedri González suffers a grade 2 internal lateral sprain in his left knee.

"The Canarian player will remain in Germany until the end of Euro 2024."

Kroos, who called time on his football career following Germany's defeat, sent his best wishes to the Barcelona midfielder in an emotional farewell post. 

"Get better soon Pedri. Obviously, it was not my intention to cause any damage," Kroos posted on Instagram.

"Wishing you a speedy recovery and all the best. You are a great player."

Steve Cherundolo detailed that his “healthy group” of LAFC players have been key to their recent success ahead of their encounter with Houston Dynamo on Sunday.

The LAFC head coach oversaw yet another win last time out, beating LA Galaxy in their rivalry encounter thanks to goals from Denis Bouanga and Kei Kamara.

Heading into the contest at the Shell Energy Stadium, LAFC sit at the top of the Western Conference table, three points ahead of Real Salt Lake.

Cherundolo’s side are now unbeaten in their last 10 MLS fixtures, and the 45-year-old was able to detail the secret formula behind his team’s impressive run.

“I think it’s down to the basics,” Cherundolo said. “It’s always reminding the group what they do well and what we need to do in order to win games.

“These are things we talk about and work on daily, but at the same time you have to create an atmosphere and a culture that is comfortable for the players and put them in a position to succeed week in, week out.

“Not to push too hard, but not too little, and you have to find that sweet spot with the group.

“Judging by what I see in the locker room before the game, at half-time and after the game, this is a very healthy group, mentally, and they take care of each other. It’s a tough group to beat.”

Meanwhile, Houston were compounded to their first defeat in six matches at the hands of Salt Lake, despite taking an eighth minute lead through Ibrahim Aliyu.

Ben Olsen’s side sit in seventh place heading into the encounter, level on points with Portland Timbers and just a point behind Vancouver Whitecaps.

The loss proved to be a disappointing one from the Houston head coach’s point of view, but he was able to take the positives from the game, having seen his side score 13 goals in their last six league fixtures.

“I don’t think we learned anything that I already know about our team,” Olsen said.

“I was disappointed with our mentality and the start with the attention to detail, the urgency.

“But we scored two goals. We should have had three or four, but it came down to some moments.

“The goal-scoring, we can still put up numbers and I guess that is a positive. But the negative is the goals themselves that we conceded as a team.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Houston Dynamo – Ibrahim Aliyu

Should the Dynamo put an end to their winless run, Ibrahim Aliyu will be key for Olsen’s side on home turf.

Aliyu netted back-to-back goals for the second time this season, taking his tally to six for the campaign, and is the joint-top scorer alongside Latif Blessing for Houston.

LAFC – Denis Bouanga

Denis Bouanga’s recent hotstreak in front of goal has contributed to LAFC’s success in the league, and the Gabon international will be keen to add to his 14 MLS goals this weekend.

Bouanga has formed a great understanding alongside Mateusz Bogusz with the pair both notching goal contributions in their win over LA Galaxy. Their goal and assist were a league-leading 10th time they have both contributed to a goal in the same match this season.

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

While LAFC slightly edged Opta’s data-led simulations, Houston boast an impressive record against their opponents when welcoming them to the Shell Energy Stadium.

The Dynamo have lost only one of their six home matches against Los Angeles FC (W2 D3), winning each of the last two on home soil after failing to win any of the first four in all competitions.

However, Olsen’s side have just one victory to their name in their last 14 league matches, (D5 L5) dating back to mid-April after winning four of their previous five games (L1).

The Black and Gold are the in-form team in the Western Conference and will be keen to extend their lead at the summit of the table. LAFC became the first team since Sporting Kansas City in 2011-12 season to win 11 times in a span of 12 matches in all competitions.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Houston Dynamo – 34.9%

Draw- 25.9%

LAFC – 39.2%

Luis Suarez admitted that "the flame is dying out" as he edges towards the end of his career.

Suarez is currently at the Copa America with Uruguay, who topped their group with three wins from three and are preparing for a quarter-final against Brazil.

Unlike in previous tournaments where he was the main man, the 37-year-old has been limited to just two substitute appearances so far, with Marcelo Bielsa steering the side towards younger talents.

Despite only playing for eight minutes in total, Suarez, who is Uruguay's all-time top scorer with 68 goals, is determined to enjoy what is likely his final major tournament for his country.

"I'm enjoying every moment very much," Suarez told AUF TV.

"It is something that at my age, as you get older, you enjoy it more and more whether you're playing a lot or playing a little, because you know that the flame of football is dying out.

"I'm just one more [player in the squad], you've already seen it. Playing or not playing, I'm happy with the part I'm doing and trying to help as much as I can."

While Suarez was at Atletico Madrid, head coach Diego Simeone described a crucial period in the 2020-21 title race as entering the 'Luis Suarez zone', as they used his experience to get them over the line.

With Uruguay, though, Suarez is putting his faith in the young players to get the job done against Brazil.

"I hope [the zone] doesn't appear in this Copa because that would mean that Uruguay is doing well and that it's not necessary," the forward added.

"If it's needed, we'll be there because we hope to write another chapter in the national team.

"This group gave a very big blow in the World Cup qualifiers by beating Brazil and Argentina. They earned that power on the pitch by showing that they can beat anyone.

"The time has come to prove it, and it's a great test for us."

Kylian Mbappe is unbothered by his indifferent form at Euro 2024 so far, saying the most important thing is for France to keep winning as they booked a place in the semi-finals.

France and Portugal played out a 0-0 draw in 120 minutes in Hamburg, with Les Bleus staying perfect from the spot in the shootout and progressing thanks to Joao Felix’s missed penalty.

Mbappe is the only Frenchman to score at the tournament so far, netting from the spot, with France’s two wins coming via own goals. However, he does not care how the wins come as long as they keep progressing.

"These are the peculiarities of being a footballer," Mbappe said.

"But even then, you have to keep up your involvement and always be there for your team-mates.

"I've always said that no matter what happens, the most important thing is that we win. I've only scored one goal, but we are in the semi-finals, and I'm very happy."

Mbappe had been hit in the side of the head by the ball in the second half and struggled to get back into the game after it as he shied away from any more aerial challenges.

That meant the France captain was not one of the five players to step up in the shootout, having been substituted in the extra time break due to ongoing problems with his broken nose.

"We had already discussed with the coach at the end of regulation time," Mbappe added.

"We decided I would try longer, but at half-time in extra time, I told him that I wasn't feeling it anymore, that I was too tired. He told me 'okay'."

France will face Spain in the first of the Euro 2024 semi-finals on Tuesday in Munich. 

Minnesota United head coach Eric Ramsay believes they will bounce back from their recent disappointing run against LA Galaxy on Sunday.

The Loons have not won any of their last six matches in MLS, losing each of the last five on the bounce, and dropped to eighth in the Western Conference.

Minnesota have been without players due to injury and international duty, but with some of those starting to return, Ramsay is hopeful it will be the spark they need to snap their losing streak.

"In the grand scheme of this difficult run that we're on and the circumstances that surround it, there were elements of the last performance where we looked back at our best," Ramsay said.

"I think it's as simple as welcoming players back from injuries and internationals to get us back to the feeling before all of this took place.

"That's a very realistic take on the situation, though we will look back at this period with some real regret and disappointment that we haven't picked up the points we could and should've done."

Meanwhile, the Galaxy's four-game winning streak was ended by Los Angeles FC in Thursday’s El Trafico derby.

Now three points off top spot, having slipped to third, head coach Greg Vanney was left to bemoan LA's failure to create chances at the Rose Bowl.

"I'm not interested in being a possession team for the sake of passing the ball around," Vanney said.

"We need to use possession to put the opposition on their heels to score goals, to bury them and make them feel like we're relentlessly coming at them, not so they can set up and be comfortable and turn us over and go the other way."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

LA Galaxy – Gabriel Pec

Gabriel Pec scored against Los Angeles FC and has now been involved in a goal in five straight appearances, tied for the second-longest active streak in MLS.

The Brazilian is the second Galaxy player this season to record a streak of five games with a goal contribution, after Dejan Joveljic in February-March.

Minnesota United – Bongokuhle Hlongwane

Bongokuhle Hlongwane has recorded a goal and an assist in two consecutive away matches, one of two players (Lionel Messi) to do so in consecutive road games this season.

Only two players in MLS history have a goal and an assist in three straight road games – Junior Agogo in 2000 and Ante Razov in 1999.

MATCH PREDICTION: LA GALAXY WIN

The Galaxy won six of their first eight matches against Minnesota United (drawing two) from the Loons' MLS entry in 2017 through August 2021. Since then, LA have won just one of seven meetings with Minnesota (drawn three, lost three).

The Galaxy's 2-1 defeat to LAFC on Thursday was their fourth loss of the season, and the second against their derby rivals. They have not lost two straight matches since last October, with the second of those defeats coming against Minnesota.

However, Minnesota have lost five straight regular-season matches for the first time in club history.  The Loons had suffered only three defeats in 16 league matches this season prior to this run (won eight, drew five).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

LA Galaxy – 49.9%

Draw – 25.3%

Minnesota United – 24.8%

Venezuela head coach Fernando Batista has branded their Copa America quarter-final exit as "part of the process" after losing on penalties to Canada.

La Vinotinto enjoyed a perfect group stage, winning all three of their games to top Group B while conceding just one goal.

They fought back to force the shootout on Friday, with Salomon Rondon scoring a stunning long-range effort to cancel out Jacob Shaffelburg's early opener.

However, Wilker Angel missed his spot-kick when it went to sudden death, and Canada, making their tournament debut, went into the semi-finals.

Batista has remained positive though, saying his team will use this tournament as a springboard to try and qualify for the World Cup for the first time in their history.

"This is a long process," Batista said.

"We have a huge dream that we're going for. All Venezuelans want to qualify for the World Cup.

"And the Copa America gave us a possibility of strengthening our squad."

Luis de la Fuente hailed his Spain side as an "example for the country" after their last-gasp win over hosts Germany in the Euro 2024 quarter-final.

La Roja came out on top with a 2-1 victory in Stuttgart thanks to Mikel Merino's 119th-minute winner in extra time on Friday.

Dani Olmo had given Spain the lead in the second half, and looked to have scored the match-winner until Florian Wirtz equalised at the end of normal time.

After their last-gasp win, De la Fuente was full of praise for the fighting spirit his side showed to get the result.

"I'm proud of this group of players, such a committed group of players, who are an example for our country, for our society, and for any sportsmen and women who want to be competitive and want to improve every day in order to try and be a bit better every day," De la Fuente said.

"Our team has heart, and I know them; they have ambition, and they are eager to be better every day. They never tire of improving, and I am proud to coach them."

Spain and Germany had perhaps been the tournament's standout performers in the first four rounds of matches, and the match lived up to its billing.

De la Fuente's side have now won all five of their matches at Euro 2024 and will play France for a place in the final on Tuesday.

"We will see how far we can get, but I'm really proud of the example that this team is giving out in terms of companionship and values and so on, and this is what I value the most, apart from the quality of my players," he added.

"We are happy, but we know that tomorrow is a different day, and tomorrow it's another game already. So yes, we are happy, but the euphoria is very much under control."

Peter Luccin was thrilled with FC Dallas' comeback against the Portland Timbers, but still sees plenty of ways they can improve.

Dallas came out on top from a topsy-turvy match in midweek, winning 3-2.

It saw Dallas bounce back from successive defeats, and they sit 11th in the Western Conference ahead of Sunday's clash with Sporting Kansas City, who are six points behind in 13th.

Asked what he liked about his team's performance against the Timbers, Dallas interim boss Luccin said: "Resilience, resilience from the team. That was huge.

"After the first half, we were very passive with nothing offensively. The only thing about the first half that I liked was the compactness of the team. We were compact, but no one making runs, no one even putting more pressure on the ball or playing with the ball. 

"The half-time talk, maybe it's better for me to not say anything. It was a hard talk, but at the same time, we told them to believe.

"We felt that we could score in the second half. The second half we showed character.

"We are in a very hard situation right now in the club and with the team, with so many injuries to very important players."

Petar Musa got on the scoresheet for Dallas to move into double-figures for the season.

"I am happy with my goals but for me, it's not about just the goals," said the striker. 

"We want to win every single game and I want to help the team. I'm more focused on winning every game. So if I score I'm happy, but it's more important that we won."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Sporting Kansas City - Daniel Salloi

Salloi has scored eight goals in 15 career regular-season matches against Dallas, three more than he has scored against any other opponent. Salloi has six goals in his last six matches against Dallas.

FC Dallas - Petar Musa

Musa has scored five goals in his last three matches, taking his total to 10 in his first 20 MLS games for Dallas. The last player to reach 10 goals faster for Dallas was Carlos Ruiz in 2005 (16 games).

MATCH PREDICTION: SKC WIN

Dallas are winless on the road in the 2024 regular season (D3 L7) with its three road points being the fewest in MLS this season. It is the second time the club has been winless through at least 10 away matches of a season as they failed to win any of their first 11 on the road in 2000.

SKC beat Austin FC 2-0 in their last home game. The win ended a streak of 14 straight home regular-season games of SKC conceding, the second-longest such streak in team history (22 straight from June 2002 to October 2003).

The home side has won each of the last four meetings between Kansas City and Dallas in all competitions. There have been at least three goals scored in each of the last six meetings with both teams scoring in all six.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

SKC - 41.3%

Dallas - 32%

Draw - 26.7%

West Ham have completed the signing of Max Kilman from Wolves.

The Hammers paid a reported £40million for the defender, who has signed a seven-year contract with the club.

Wolves initially turned down an offer of £25m but accepted the improved offer for Kilman, who had signed a long-term deal with the club last year.

Kilman is reunited with his former manager, Julen Lopetegui, who made him captain while in charge of Wolves.

"It's an amazing feeling to be a West Ham player," Kilman said.

"As soon as I was aware of the interest from the club, it was an opportunity I was keen to pursue, so I couldn’t be more delighted to be here.

"I really enjoyed working with Julen during his time at Wolves. He's a top-class coach and someone I learned a lot from, and I am confident I will continue to improve as a player under his management here."

The 27-year-old joined Wolves in 2018, making his debut in May 2019. He went on to make 151 appearances in all competitions, scoring three goals.

He becomes Lopetegui's third signing at West Ham, following Brazilian winger Luis Guilherme and goalkeeper Wes Foderingham into the club.

Jesse Marsch has praised Canada for their "willingness" during a "fast learning curve" after they booked a place in the Copa America semi-final.

Les Rouges earned a 4-3 penalty shootout win over Venezuela after Salomon Rondon had cancelled out Jacob Shaffelburg's opener as the match finished 1-1 in normal time.

Maxime Crepeau then saved two penalties before it went to sudden death, and Ismael Kone scored the decisive spot-kick to send them into the next round.

After a poor string of results at the start of Marsch's tenure, Canada were tipped to make an early exit during their maiden Copa America.

However, they have defied the odds, and the American credited the spirit of his squad for pushing them forward.

"All the things that I know about them now, I sensed back then; their commitment, their desire, their willingness to learn," Marsch said.

"All of that has led to bigger belief and self-confidence.

"It's a very athletic team. It's a very fast team. I've tried to build in the right kind of aggression for them to go after opponents, to go after big games and to believe in how we're building this.

"Their commitment to try to learn, their belief in what I'm doing with them is very, very high. They're capable because they're athletic, because they're strong, because they're young.

"We've seen an incredibly fast learning curve, but it's because they're excited about playing this way, and they're excited about what we're trying to achieve together."

Captain Alphonso Davies was one of the players who stepped up during the shoot-out as he picked out the top corner with the penultimate penalty, knowing a miss would have sent them home.

After seeing a tame penalty saved in a defeat against Belgium in the 2022 World Cup, Davies was pleased to replace that memory with something more positive.

"Obviously, I had flashbacks to the World Cup, but I did not let that get to me. I knew where I wanted to go before I walked up to the ball," Davies told Canadian broadcaster TSN.

"It's going to take everything. We played them in the group stage. We played well but didn't get the win we wanted."

Canada will face Argentina in the semi-final at MetLife Stadium on Tuesday, having lost their tournament opener to the Albiceleste 2-0.

England boss Gareth Southgate is proud of reaching 100 games in charge of the Three Lions, but says that statistic means nothing compared to the final result against Switzerland.

Southgate has been in charge of England since 2016 and has led them to a sustained period of relative success.

Having reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, England finished third in the Nations League the following year and then were runners-up at Euro 2020.

A quarter-final exit to France at the 2022 World Cup followed, but England went into Euro 2024 as favourites.

And while they have so far failed to deliver spectacular performances, the Three Lions are just two games away from another final.

"I'm very proud but it is the least important stat of the week," said Southgate.

"The only thing that matters is it is a quarter-final and my complete focus is to get my country into another semi-final.

"I'm sure in years to come I will look back and reflect with great pride. But at the moment it is the last thing on my mind."

Only two other England managers have reached the 100-game landmark; Walter Winterbottom drew his 100th match (3-3 with Northern Ireland in 1958), while Alf Ramsey won his 1-0 against Wales in 1972.

England have won 49 of their 116 matches at major international tournaments, and could be the sixth European nation to reach 50 after Germany, Italy, France, Spain and the Netherlands.

And Southgate knows the pressure is on to deliver.

"It is a fact of life. If you are in one of the most high-profile jobs in world football then there will always be speculation, assessment of what's going on, so I am not worried," he said.

"When I was a younger manager trying to forge a career you are worried about if the first job doesn't go well there won't be another job. So you are worrying about failing and getting the sack.

"Now I am older, I'm 53, I'm not worried about losing or what will go wrong. We have the chance to get into a semi-final. It is a positive thing to focus on. It has been my mindset for quite a while now."

Southgate has won 60 of his previous 99 matches in charge, with 13 of those victories coming at major tournaments.

James Rodriguez says Colombia are not getting ahead of themselves as they prepare to take on minnows Panama in the Copa America quarter-finals.

Panama shocked the hosts United States in the group stage, with that 2-1 win over the Stars and Stripes paving the way for a 3-1 victory over Bolivia, which secured their place in the last eight.

Their reward is a contest against Colombia, who are unbeaten in their last 26 matches and finished top of Group D, ahead of nine-time Copa America winners Brazil.

The Opta supercomputer hands Colombia a 61.6% chance of winning the tie, with Panama's win likelihood only 18.8%, but captain James knows Nestor Lorenzo's team must be focused on the task at hand at State Farm Stadium.

"There's still a lot of work to do, and on Saturday we have to come out and play very focused," said the former Real Madrid star.

"We are going step by step. Panama will be difficult, but we will play with a lot of quality."

James, who turns 33 next week, has been sensational for Colombia at the tournament.

Having been left out of their squad at the last Copa America in 2021, James has provided a tournament-leading three assists, while creating 11 chances overall, level with Lionel Messi.

"I feel comfortable," said James, who has been playing in Brazil after spells in Qatar and Greece following his one-year stint with Everton.

"There is still a long way to go, we still have to play on Saturday, but I feel good. I am going through a good phase here."

Thomas Christiansen believes Panama can rise to the occasion when they face Colombia in the Copa America quarter-finals on Saturday.

Panama are competing in the tournament for the second time, and have already made history after reaching the knockout stages for the first time.

They finished as runners-up in Group C behind Uruguay after wins over the USA and Bolivia, and now face a tough test against Group D winners Colombia, who are on a 26-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

Christiansen admitted he had wanted to be the surprise package before the tournament, and he has now urged his team to take that one step further.

"I don't need to tell [his players] anything," the head coach said.

"They know that they have made history. But we don't want to stop there. We want to try and go a step further, and hopefully, we can do that.

"We're not going to take anything for granted.

"If they [Colombia] want to look down on us, that's their thing. But we are going to take this match very seriously."

Brighton have completed the signing of midfielder Mats Wieffer from Feyenoord.

The 24-year-old has penned a five-year contract, with the Seagulls paying a reported £25.4million (€30m).

Having joined Feyenoord in 2022, Wieffer proved to be a key figure for now-Liverpool boss Arne Slot.

Wieffer played a role in helping Feyenoord win the Eredivisie title in 2023, and then the KNVB Beker last season.

"We’re delighted to welcome Mats to the club, a player whose qualities we have admired for a long time," said Brighton's technical director David Weir.

"He has a lot of experience in the Champions League as well as the Eredivisie and has developed into one of the best deep-lying midfielders in Europe."

Though Wieffer made his Netherlands debut in March last year, he was not called up by Ronald Koeman for Euro 2024.

Wieffer will link up with his former Feyenoord team-mate Yankuba Minteh, who joined Brighton from Newcastle United in a £33m deal last week.