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• ​Minnesota United FC v Portland Timbers: 'Proud' Neville hoping to build momentum

  Phil Neville is hoping Portland Timbers can build some momentum with back-to-back victories when they take on Minnesota United FC at Allianz Field on Saturday.

  The Timbers recovered from two goals down at half-time to beat San Jose Earthquakes 4-2 in their most recent match, snapping a three-game losing run and a nine-match wait for three points.

  Portland are now back up to 11th in the Western Conference, but Neville accepts there is plenty to do if his side are to challenge for a play-off spot.

  "The spirit in that second half [against San Jose] was bigger than anything I've seen in football, and I've seen an awful lot in football," Neville said. 

  "Those supporters willed the team, willed the ball into the back of the net and that’s what makes me proud to be the manager of this football club. We've got a hell of a lot of work to do. It's a big job and one we'll succeed in.”

  Minnesota played out a 2-2 draw with LA Galaxy in their most recent match, as they let slip a half-time lead to trail 2-1 before hitting back late on.

  The Loons have now won three and drawn one of their past four games and are second in the West after an impressive start to life under head coach Eric Ramsay.

  The Welshman was particularly pleased with his side's first-half performance against Galaxy and is hoping for a full-90 performance when Portland visit.

  "I think that's the most complete performance that we've had since I've been here," he told reporters. 

  "We're really frustrated overall because it's a game you felt we had complete control of at half-time. I just felt we've taken our foot off their neck in the second half."

  PLAYERS TO WATCH

  Minnesota United - Bongokuhle Hlongwane

  Hlongwane opened the scoring for Minnesota in the four-goal draw with Galaxy and enjoys playing against next opponents Portland.

  Indeed, the South Africa international has scored in his first three MLS matches against the Timers - the only player in MLS history to do so.

  Portland Timbers - Maxime Crepeau

  The Timbers may have defeated San Jose in midweek, but they conceded multiple goals for a ninth straight game, equalling the longest streak in a single season in MLS history.

  While it is down to the whole defensive unit to keep the opposition out, goalkeeper Crepeau's save percentage of 62 is the second lowest in MLS this season, behind only St. Louis City SC's Roman Burki (61.9 per cent) 

  MATCH PREDICTION: MINNESOTA UNITED WIN

  Minnesota have won eight of their 13 regular-season meetings with the Timbers, averaging exactly two points per match in those games - the best of any Western Conference team against Portland since United joined MLS in 2017.

  The Loons have lost only two of their opening 11 matches this season - never previously have they lost fewer than four games at this stage - and have scored multiple goals in each of their past four outings. 

  Portland showed great spirit in fighting back against San Jose - it was the second latest a team has come from two goals down in an MLS match to win by multiple goals - but that is only one of three wins in 13 MLS games this term.

  OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

  Minnesota United - 48.9%
  Draw - 26.6%
  Portland Timbers - 24.5%

• Man City star Foden scoops Premier League Player of the Year award

  Phil Foden has been named the Premier League's Player of the Year, having been sensational for Manchester City this season.

  Foden has scored 17 goals and provided a further eight assists in the top flight in 2023-24.

  The 23-year-old has been pivotal in City's quest to win an unprecedented fourth Premier League title.

  Pep Guaridola's team head into their final game of the season, in which they face West Ham at home, needing a win to guarantee the crown.

  Only six players have bettered Foden's goal tally, with the attacker enjoying his most profitable scoring season for City.

  Foden's 17 goals have come from an expected goals figure of 10, suggesting his finishing has been way above what would have been anticipated based on the quality of chances he has had.

  The England international, meanwhile, has had 99 shots, and leads City's squad for chances created (68).

  "To win this award is an achievement that I am extremely proud of," Foden told Man City's official website.

  "Overall, I've been very happy with the way I have played this season and really pleased that I have been able to contribute with the goals and assists throughout the season.

  "I'd like to thank all of the City staff, coaches and especially my teammates because without them this wouldn’t be possible.

  "And I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who voted for me as the award means a lot."

  It is the fifth season in a row that a City player has won the award, with Kevin De Bruyne (2019-20, 2021-22), Ruben Dias (2020-21) and Erling Haaland (2022-23) having scooped it previously.

• Austin FC v Sporting Kansas City: Vermes urges players to take ‘accountability’

  Peter Vermes says his Sporting Kansas City players must ultimately take accountability for the side’s poor start to the season.

  SKC sit 13th in the Western Conference after 13 matches in 2024, having won just two games.

  Heading into a trip to Austin FC – who sit in sixth in the West – on Saturday, Kansas City are without a win in six games, and have lost four of their last five outings in MLS.

  Speaking ahead of the game, Vermes said: “[Austin have] been strong defensively, they’re very clear on the way they want to play and they’re finding ways to get results. They’ve been defending well, as well.”

  Asked what he could do to change the trend, Vermes replied: “There’s a lot of different things you can do. You can set expectations, maybe change training a little bit.

  “There’s all kinds of things that you could do – in the end, it’s them, they’re playing, I’m not playing, they have to go do that. The only thing I have a bigger stick on is the accountability – if you’re not doing it, then somebody else will come on and do it.”

  Austin have won three of their last four games, including holding out for a 1-0 victory over the Houston Dynamo at home last time out.

  “Positive energy brings positive things and let me say you were crucial in that particular moment of the game to help the team win,” said sporting director Rodolfo Borrell in an open letter to Austin’s fans.

  “I thought the energy coming from all of you was phenomenal. It was a special moment, and I would like to personally thank you for that. This experience will definitely stick in my memory for a long time.”

  PLAYERS TO WATCH

  Austin FC – Sebastian Driussi

  Driussi has scored in consecutive games, including netting the lone goal in Austin’s win over Houston on Wednesday. Driussi has scored in two or more straight games eight times since the start of the 2022 season.

  Sporting Kansas City – Daniel Salloi

  Salloi’s strike against Houston on Saturday was the fifth goal scored by Sporting Kansas City from outside the box this season, the most in MLS in 2024.

  MATCH PREDICTION: AUSTIN WIN

  After losing only two of their first nine matches this season (W2 D5), SCK have lost three straight in MLS play. This is Sporting’s first regular-season losing streak in over a year since a run of four straight defeats in April 2023.

  Austin have won five of their last eight matches (D1 L2) after opening the season winless in five games (D2 L3). Since that run began in late March, Real Salt Lake (18 points) are the only Western Conference team with more points than Austin (16).

  Austin have won four of their last five meetings with SKC (L1). Austin have won all three meetings between the teams at Q2 Stadium, scoring nine goals in those games.

  OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

  Austin – 45%

  SKC – 27.4%

  Draw – 27.6%