Gary Smith is hopeful the goals will soon start to flow for Nashville SC as they prepare to face Los Angeles FC this weekend.
Nashville have scored just seven goals through their opening eight games this campaign and have fired blanks in half of those matches.
At the opposite end of the field, Smith's side have the best defensive record in the entire MLS with only four goals conceded thus far.
On the back of a 2-1 loss at New York City FC last time out, Smith wants to see his side turn chances into goals, starting against the reigning MLS Cup champions on Saturday.
"It's always frustrating when you get beat, particularly when you have some difficulties in finding the back of the net and not being a bit more clear-cut with chances," Smith said.
"I've said before that I have every faith in the guys and I have no doubt they'll come good. It'll be nice to see a game where we hit the back of the net three or four times.
"That could be the shot in the arm the group need, but there is no cause for concern at this point – there is plenty of other good things going on."
LAFC won the Supporters' Shield last season are unbeaten so far this campaign, winning five and drawing two of their matches to sit second in the Western Conference.
But despite Nashville's scoring issues, LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo is expecting a difficult contest at Geodis Park.
"They're a team that's tough to beat," he said. "We've seen they're a well-coached team who prides themselves on keeping clean sheets and concedes few chances.
"On the other side, they don't score a lot. They create chances, are dangerous from set-pieces and on the counter, but they're not scoring a lot at the minute.
"But especially in Nashville, they're extremely difficult to beat. Points at this stage of the season are points – every team has the same attitude right now."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Nashville - Hany Mukhtar
Mukhtar has scored two and assisted three of Nashville's seven goals this season, including a late consolation strike at New York City last time out.
However, his past three goal contributions have come on the road – never before has he played three straight MLS home matches without scoring or assisting a single goal.
LAFC - Carlos Vela
Vela continues to be a key player for LAFC, with the former Mexico international scoring back-to-back braces in all competitions.
The 34-year-old was involved in all three of his side's goals in their win over LA Galaxy last week – the 10th time he has contributed to three or more goals in an MLS game.
MATCH PREDICTION - NASHVILLE WIN
Los Angeles FC's 17 points from their opening seven games is their second-best return at this stage, bettered only in 2019 when collecting 19.
Their unbeaten streak spans 10 matches stretching back into last season, though that run has to come to an end eventually.
LAFC were victorious on their only previous trip to Nashville last year, but Smith's side have not lost multiple home games against a single opponent on home soil.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Nashville - 42.1 per cent
LAFC - 29.6 per cent
Draw - 28.3 per cent
Barcelona 4-2 Valencia: Lewandowski hat-trick leads Barca to 4-2 win over 10-man Valencia
Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski scored a second-half hat-trick to help his side fight back to claim a hard-fought 4-2 win over Valencia, who were leading 2-1 when they were reduced to 10 men just before the break.
Fermin Lopez's header from a Raphinha cross put Barca in front after 22 minutes, but Valencia's Hugo Duro struck in the 27th and Pepelu scored from the spot after a foul by Ronald Araujo 11 minutes later to give the visitors the lead.
But after Valencia keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili saw red for a handball outside the box before the break, Xavi's side dominated and Lewandowski scored with two headers from corners in the 49th and 82nd minutes before getting his treble with a free-kick in added time.
The win postponed Real Madrid's almost inevitable LaLiga title celebrations for a couple of weeks as Carlo Ancelotti's side sit atop the standings on 84 points.
Barcelona moved back to second in LaLiga on Monday with 73 points as they leapfrogged surprise package Girona, who are third with 71. Those two teams will meet in a Catalonia derby on Saturday.
Data debrief
Barcelona conceded two goals in the first half of a home game for the second time this season, after also doing so against Girona in LaLiga in December 2023.
However, Lewandowski's goals have been invaluable to La Blaugrana this season as he's earned 17 points with his 16 goals in the league.
Kimmich ready to open Bayern Munich talks amid Barcelona speculation
Joshua Kimmich is ready to open talks with Bayern Munich over his future at the club amid speculation linking him with Barcelona.
The Germany international has spent nine years at the Allianz Arena, but he is due to become a free agent at the end of the 2024-25 campaign.
Barca have been repeatedly linked with Kimmich in recent transfer windows and are said to retain an interest ahead of next season.
Speaking to Spanish outlet AS, the midfielder talked up Barca - as well as fierce rivals Real Madrid - but fell short of saying he is open to a move.
"I want to talk to Bayern. When I do that, I won't go out and talk to the press about it," he said.
"I'm not thinking about this. I will speak to Bayern first. But of course, Barcelona and Real Madrid are amazing clubs with an amazing history."
Kimmich has played 37 times in all competitions this season for Bayern, whose last remaining hope of silverware is in the Champions League.
Bayern will face Real Madrid over two legs for a place in the final, with the first match in that double-header taking place in Bavaria on Tuesday.
Thomas Tuchel will depart the dethroned Bundesliga champions at the end of the season, with Ralf Rangnick the favourite to succeed him.
The managerial uncertainty is not helping with regards to the Kimmich rumours, but he insists that will not be a deciding factor on his future.
"It's not the most important thing right now," he said. "I know that when you sign a contract you don't sign it with the coach.
"You sign it with the club. For me, the most important thing is the club, not just the coach.
"But it's also important to know what the coach thinks about you and the team. Other people in the club can worry about choosing the coach."
Desailly calls on LaLiga to do more to protect Vinicius Junior
Marcel Desailly has called on LaLiga to do more to protect Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior and other players who have been targeted by racist abuse.
Vinicius broke down at a press conference earlier this month as he opened up about the abuse he has received from the stands while representing Madrid.
The Brazil international is not alone in that regard, with team-mate Aurelien Tchouameni another example, and World Cup winner Desailly wants more to be done.
"Vinicius has spoken out, but it's not about him - it's about LaLiga and the people who can take action," he told Stats Perform.
"We have the power to change things, but we are not doing enough. Samuel Eto'o had the same issue before.
"Vinicius is one of those who is suffering because the administrative people in charge are not willing to hit harder than they are."
Vinicius has been a key player for LaLiga champions-elect Madrid once again this season with 13 goals and five assists in 23 outings.
Desailly regards Vinicius, who scored the winning goal in the 2022 Champions League final, as one of the finest players of his generation.
"He's a very ambitious player," Desailly said. "I think he's improved a lot because he is now clinical in assisting and finishing.
"When you look at someone like Ousmane Dembele, his stats are not as good.
"Then you look at Jadon Sancho, Bukayo Saka, another who has improved - there is potential for each of those to get close to Vinicius."
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