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• Toronto FC v FC Cincinnati: Noonan puts record-equalling run down to new chemistry

  Pat Noonan says it was always just a matter of time before FC Cincinnati found their feet, as they look to set a new club record for successive MLS wins against Toronto FC at BMO Field.

  Last year's Supporters' Shield champions have won their last six matches, equalling the best streak in their league history, which they achieved last campaign.

  They trail Eastern Conference leaders Inter Miami by just one point with a game in hand, having turned their season around after a slow start.

  Noonan believes time spent on the training ground, particularly with offseason arrivals, has been the major factor.

  "I think it's just about the understanding of some of the roles. With new faces, that always takes time," Noonan said.

  "We've had 13 or 14 games together now and with games and with time, there's better chemistry, better understanding of relationships."

  On Toronto, he added: "It's been a good week for them, and I think in terms of structure and personnel, there's a lot of things that are similar."

  Toronto are fifth in the Eastern standings after crushing rivals CF Montreal 5-1 in their last league game.

  They followed up that win by beating Saint-Laurent 8-1 in the Canadian Championship on Tuesday, and boss John Herdman is delighted to see their forwards enjoying themselves. 

  "They're just enjoying their football at the minute, really enjoying it," Herdman said. "I've got to tip my hat to the lads. I just can't wait to see this whole team playing together. 

  "I think there are more levels here and I can't wait to keep pushing for them in the next three or four weeks."

  PLAYERS TO WATCH

  Toronto FC – Lorenzo Insigne  

  Federico Bernardeschi scored his first career hat-trick in Toronto's derby win last week, but then picked up a late booking that will cause him to be suspended for this game. 

  Six of the eight hat-tricks scored by Toronto players in MLS have now been scored by Italians, with Sebastian Giovinco netting five. With Bernardeschi out, Insigne must step up.

  FC Cincinnati – Luciano Acosta 

  Acosta has contributed to at least one goal in a club-record eight straight matches, after recording a goal and two assists in a 3-1 win over St. Louis City last week. 

  The only longer streak in MLS since the start of last season was a nine-game run by the Columbus Crew's Cucho Hernandez, from April to June 2023.

  MATCH PREDICTION – FC CINCINNATI WIN

  Toronto ended a four-match losing streak against Cincinnati on February 25 with a scoreless draw on the road. 

  Cincinnati had won six of the previous seven meetings between the teams, in a run dating back to the start of the 2021 season (one defeat).

  The Orange and Blue are favourites for this battle between Eastern Conference contenders, having won 30 of their last 49 regular-season games dating back to October 2022. No team in the post-shootout era has ever won 31 times in a span of 50 matches. 

  OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

  Toronto FC – 22.7%

  FC Cincinnati – 56.4%

  Draw – 20.9%

• Putellas signs two-year deal with Barcelona

  Barcelona midfielder Alexia Putellas has signed a two-year deal until 2026, the club announced on Thursday.

  Putellas was due to be out of contract next month, but extends her 12-year relationship with Barcelona, with the new deal also including an option for an additional season.

  The 30-year-old is a two-time Ballon d’Or winner in 2021 and 2022, though she has struggled with injuries that have kept her sidelined since winning the second.

  Overall, she has made 424 appearances, scoring a record 189 goals for the club, playing a pivotal role in Barcelona’s recent domination in women’s football.

  Putellas has won 29 major trophies with Barcelona and is looking for another on Saturday when they face Lyon in the Champions League final.

  Having already clinched Liga F, the Copa de la Reina and the Spanish Supercopa this season, Putellas can help Barcelona to complete an unprecedented quadruple with a win over the French champions.

• Sargent earns recall as Pulisic, Balogun and Adams headline USA's preliminary Copa America squad

  United States coach Gregg Berhalter has named a 27-man preliminary squad ahead of the Copa America.

  Josh Sargent, the Norwich City forward, has earned a recall to the USA squad for the upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Colombia, and is set to feature for his country for the first time since 2022.

  With first-choice right-back Sergino Dest injured, meanwhile, Berhalter has turned to Nashville SC's Shaq Moore in defence.

  Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams, Matt Turner, Weston McKennie and Brendan Aaronson are among the established names to feature.

  Former Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun, who opted to represent the USA rather than England, has also made the cut, as has Coventry City's Haji Wright, who has had a strong season in England's second tier.

  Berhalter explained Sargent had been called up to give him another option in attack, with Wright seen primarily as a wide option.

  "Between their club form and what they've done for the national team in the past, we think it's a talented group of strikers," he said.

  Giovanni Reyna, the 21-year-old Borussia Dortmund attacker who has been on loan at Nottingham Forest since January, has also been included, despite a feud between Berhalter and the playmaker's family in the wake of the World Cup.

  Antonee Robinson has had another impressive season with Fulham, and has been called up alongside club-mate Tim Ream.

  Former Manchester City goalkeeper Zack Steffen was a notable omission, as were MLS stars Jesus Ferreira and Jordan Morris.

  "This summer presents an opportunity for us to progress and grow as a team as we continue to build towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup," Berhalter said.

  "We have a talented group of players and are excited about the opportunity to compete against some of the best teams in the world."

  Berhalter will cut down his squad after the friendlies, with Copa hosts USA taking on Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia in Group C.