Pablo Mastroeni believes the best way for his Real Salt Lake side to improve is by "going into the fire" as the playoff battle heats up ahead of Wednesday's clash with FC Dallas.

Real Salt Lake have been among the Western Conference pacesetters all season, but they have lost two of their three games since returning from the Leagues Cup break, including a 4-1 defeat to the Houston Dynamo on Saturday.

They remain fourth in the West but just three points separate them from Houston in seventh, while their cushion to the wild-card spots stands at seven points.

"There are things we're working out, and it's one thing doing it in practice and another doing it when there are so many variables on the line," Mastroeni said this week.

"The only way we build real cohesion is by just going into the fire, playing these games, then going back to review them.

"With time, you expect that the guys will get a really clear understanding. You can make changes on gameday, you can tweak, but also you have to affect games with mentality.

"It's about mindset. I would rather make errors of effort than errors of overthinking."

Dallas are currently one place, but five points, outside the playoff picture, with a tough stretch seeing them face Los Angeles FC and Orlando City after their visit to RSL.

Interim boss Peter Luccin, though, feels the identity of their opponents is not important, saying: "Right now, for us playing versus a team in the top five or the top 10 is the same thing... the only thing we have to do is win.

"If we want to fight for the playoffs, which is the least the club deserves, we have to do that. One thing is for sure, we will fight until the end."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Real Salt Lake – Cristian Arango 

Arango has scored six goals in 407 minutes over five career regular-season matches against Dallas. 

His rate of 1.33 goals per 90 minutes in those games is the highest of any player that has played at least 300 minutes against Dallas in MLS history.

FC Dallas – Jesus Ferreira 

Ferreira has scored seven times in 10 regular-season meetings with Real Salt Lake, more than he's scored against any other opponent in his MLS career. 

The Dallas forward has also scored in four of his five matches at America First Field, including the last three in a row.

MATCH PREDICTION – REAL SALT LAKE WIN

Dallas have won at Real Salt Lake in each of the last two seasons, their first consecutive wins at RSL in regular-season play. Only two teams have won on three straight regular-season trips to Utah (LAFC – four straight from 2020-23, Portland – three straight from 2014-15).

They are also unbeaten in three straight regular-season away matches (one win, two draws). Dallas had lost eight of their first 11 away from home (three draws) in 2024.

They face a daunting task on Wednesday, though, against a Real Salt Lake side with 10 home wins already this season, reaching that mark for the first time since 2019 (13 home wins). 

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Real Salt Lake – 52.4%

FC Dallas – 23.3%

Draw – 24.3%

Vancouver Whitecaps' latest arrival, Stuart Armstrong, is relishing the challenge of the MLS as he aims to aid his new side’s push for the playoffs, starting with FC Dallas this weekend.

Armstrong, who arrived at BC Place as a free agent following his release from Southampton last season, provides a wealth of international and domestic experience for Vanni Sartini’s team.

The Whitecaps returned to league action last week with a win over Austin FC, leaving them fifth in the Western Conference table, four points behind Colorado Rapids with two games in hand.

And Armstrong, who will reunite with former Dundee United team-mate Ryan Gauld at the club, provided insight into what fans can expect from him for the remainder of the campaign.

"Hopefully, I can bring position play from back to front and connect the midfield to the forward line. Hopefully I can chip in with some creativity, some goals and assists too," Amstrong said.

"Every player I speak to says to me that the changing room's the best they've experienced in their career. The first player that said that to me was Ryan (Gauld) and I didn't believe him.

"Once more and more, every player says it, you begin to believe it. And having met the boys, a few boys yesterday and everyone today and a few more when they come back, I can re-affirm that everyone's a very good guy and a very good changing room to be a part of."

FC Dallas, meanwhile, were on the wrong end of a five-goal thriller against the Rapids last time out, with Darren Yapi’s 93rd minute winner sealing the victory for the away side.

The Toros twice led the encounter but were unable to build on their dramatic win over DC United in their first MLS fixture since their disappointing run in the Leagues Cup.

Interim head coach Peter Luccin acknowledged his side must improve to have a chance of reaching the playoffs as they sit 11th in the standings, identifying his team’s home form as a particular area to strengthen.

“We knew from the beginning that we had to get points on the road,” Luccin said. “Now we are doing the opposite, now we are winning on the road and losing at home.

“It would be great to now do both at the same time, but in the end, I am not saying that it was crucial today that we lost three points, but it was important.

“But the content of the game, is a concern. We have to learn, because today was not good enough.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Vancouver Whitecaps – Ryan Gauld

Gauld assisted Vancouver’s only goal against Austin last time out, his 10th assist of the season to go along with his nine goals.

The Scot, who recorded 11 goals and 12 assists last year, could become the first Whitecaps player to notch 10 goals and 10 assists in multiple MLS seasons.

FC Dallas – Petar Musa

Musa came off the bench to score for Dallas on Saturday, his fifth straight regular season appearance with a goal.

Only Jeff Cunningham (six in 2009) and Carlos Ruiz (seven in 2006) have had longer scoring streaks in FC Dallas’ MLS history.

MATCH PREDICTION: VANCOUVER WHITECAPS WIN

The Whitecaps have lost only one of their last nine meetings with FC Dallas dating back to 2019 (W5 D3), including going unbeaten at home against Dallas in that time (W3 D1).

They have also won five of their last seven regular season matches (D1 L1), including a 1-0 victory over Austin. The 1-0 win marked Vancouver’s first clean sheet in league play since a scoreless draw against the same opposition in May.

However, Dallas’ 4-3 win against DC United marked a rare away victory. The last time they recorded back-to-back triumphs on the road in the MLS was in May 2018, when they secured wins against Toronto FC and LA Galaxy.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Vancouver Whitecaps – 50.2%

Draw – 25.2%

FC Dallas – 24.6%

Peter Luccin has likened training to a “new environment” as FC Dallas’ break from action has given a chance for injured players to return ahead of their clash with D.C. United.

Dallas fell to a disappointing group stage exit in the Leagues Cup but it could be a blessing in disguise for interim coach Luccin as it has allowed rest for an injury-hit squad.

Jesus Ferreira, Asier Illarramendi and Alan Vesco have all returned to action during the break.

Luccin feels those comebacks have sparked a change in attitude among his squad on the training ground.

“To have all of those players back is very important for us. That practice environment is good because everybody is pushing more, everybody wants to play,” he said. “All that new environment for us is beautiful. It's very good.”

Dallas' renewed impetus will also be aided by two new arrivals, right-back Ruan and midfielder Manuel Cafumana, who join Luccin’s roster.

Both sides remain within reach of the play-off positions in their respective leagues but Dallas will have to overturn pre-season form to earn all three points.

United claimed victory in a friendly in February, but Luccin is unfazed by their past encounter.

“A preseason game is totally different. You know the intensity isn’t the same. Everyone is coming and playing with heavier legs and there are no fans in the stadium,” insisted Luccin.

“We didn’t even talk about that game. I’m more concerned about what they did in their last three or four games.”

The Black-and-Red fared little better than Dallas in the Leagues Cup, losing in the round of 32 to Mazatlan. Prior to that, they had just secured their first two wins after going winless for eleven games.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

DC United – Christian Benteke

The Belgian striker is United’s top scorer this season with 16 goals to his name, 13 more than any of his team-mates.

He has scored seven headed goals this season, tied with Cristian Arango for the most in MLS in 2024.

Dallas – Petar Musa

Petar Musa has scored in each of his last four MLS appearances. The only FC Dallas player to score in five straight league matches in a single regular season since 2010 was Paul Arriola in 2022.

MATCH PREDICTION: DC UNITED WIN

Dallas are winless in 12 regular-season away matches in 2024 (D4 L8), the longest run without a win on the road in the club’s history. Along with St. Louis City SC, they are one of two teams without an away win this regular season.

In contrast to Dallas’ poor form, D.C. United recorded their first set of consecutive wins in a single regular season since a three-match winning run in April 2023 with their two recent wins. D.C. had won only two of their previous 17 regular-season matches before that.

This will be United’s first home match against FC Dallas since October 2018. D.C. won the last meeting between the sides, 1-0, in Dallas in 2023 but have not won consecutive regular-season matches against Dallas since 1999—2000 (three straight).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

DC United – 38.7%

Draw – 26.5%

Dallas – 34.7%

Australians Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell played starring roles to help the Washington Freedom dismantle the San Francisco Unicorns by 96 runs at the Grand Prairie Stadium on Sunday to claim their maiden Major League Cricket title.

Unicorns captain Corey Anderson won the toss and put the Freedom in to bat, a decision he was made to regret in the end as Washington piled up 207-5 from their 20 overs.

Captain Smith starred with a 52-ball 88 including seven fours and six sixes while Maxwell made 40 off 22 balls including one four and four sixes against 2-35 off four overs from Pat Cummins.

The Freedom then produced a dominant performance with the ball as well, dismissing the Unicorns for 111 in 16 overs to claim the title.

Tail-ender Carmi le Roux was the highest scorer in the innings with 20* as Rachin Ravindra and Marco Jansen took 3-23 from four overs and 3-28 from four overs, respectively.

Andrew Tye was also excellent with 2-12 from his two overs.

The Freedom are rightfully champions having suffered only one loss all season.

Full Scores:

Washington Freedom 207-5 off 20 overs (Steve Smith 88, Glenn Maxwell 40, Pat Cummins 2-35)

San Francisco Unicorns 111 all out off 16 overs (Carmi ls Roux 20*, Rachin Ravindra 3-23, Marco Jansen 3-28)

Aggresive New Zealand opener Finn Allen hit the third hundred of his T20 career to propel the San Francisco Unicorns to a win over the Texas Super Kings at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas on Friday to advance to the Major League Cricket final.

The 25-year-old Allen put the Super Kings to the sword in Friday's Challenger to help his side make 200-6 off their 20 overs after being inserted by Super Kings skipper Faf du Plessis.

Allen faced 53 balls and hit nine fours and five sixes on his way to 101 and was supported well by Australian wicket-keeper/batsman Josh Inglis who hit 37 off 25 balls including two fours and a six.

Afghan left-arm wrist spinner Noor Ahmad snagged 3-27 from his four overs for the Super Kings.

Then, despite unbeaten fifties from both Devon Conway and Joshua Tromp, TSK fell agonizingly short of a spot in the final, finishing 190-4 from their 20 overs.

Conway led the way with 62* off 38 balls including four fours and two sixes while Tromp hit five fours and two sixes on his way to a 36-ball 56*.

Captain du Plessis had earlier made 45 off 22 balls.

Conway and Tromp got together at 90-4 in the 10^th over and tried their best with a 100-run partnership but the runs proved to be just enough for the Unicorns.

The Unicorns will now square off with the Washington Freedom in Sunday’s final, also being played at the Grand Prairie Stadium.

The pair met on Thursday in the qualifier where the Freedom chased down 146 in 15.3 overs to book their spot in the final.

Captain Faf du Plessis once again led from the front as the Texas Super Kings secured a nine-wicket win over defending champions MI New York in the eliminator of Major League Cricket 2024 at Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas on Wednesday.

The Super Kings, after winning the toss and electing to field first, restricted New York to 163-8 from their 20 overs.

Rashid Khan (55) and Monank Patel (48) were the top run scorers for MI against an important 2-18 off four overs from Marcus Stoinis. Aaron Hardie also took two wickets while Dwayne Bravo finished with 1-21 from 1.3 overs.

Texas then needed only 18.3 overs to reach 167-1 thanks to a 47-ball 72 from du Plessis, his third fifty of the season, including six fours and three sixes.

That knock now brings du Plessis’s run total to 375 from seven games, form that he will hope translates to the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) where he will captain the St. Lucia Kings beginning August 29.

Devon Conway capitalized on some missed chances from the MI New York fielders to finish 51* while Hardie followed up his two wickets with 40* off 22 balls.

The Super Kings will now face the loser of the Qualifier between the Washington Freedom and San Francisco Unicorns in the Challenger on Friday for a place in Sunday’s final.

Full Scores:

MI New York 163-8 off 20 overs (Rashid Khan 55, Monank Patel 48, Marcus Stoinis 2-18, Aaron Hardie 2-22)

Texas Super Kings 167-1 off 18.3 overs (Faf du Plessis 72, Devon Conway 51*, Aaron Hardie 40*)

On the back of a vintage display of power hitting from Captain Kieron Pollard and some responsible batting from Nicholas Pooran, defending champions MI New York booked a spot in the 2024 Major League Cricket Playoffs with a four-wicket win over the Los Angeles Knight Riders at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, Texas on Sunday.

Both teams entered Sunday’s clash knowing a win would be good enough for them to join the San Francisco Unicorns, Washington Freedom and Texas Super Kings in the playoffs.

After winning the toss and electing to field first, MI New York restricted the LA Knight Riders to 130 all out off 19.1 overs.

The hard-hitting Andre Russell did the bulk of the scoring for the Sunil Narine-led knight Riders with 35 while Jason Roy hit 27 at the top of the innings.

Leg-spinner Rashid Khan was the pick of the New York bowlers with 3-22 from his four overs while Nosthush Kenjige and Trent Boult supported well with two wickets, each.

MI New York then needed only 17 overs to reach 134-6 and book their spot in the playoffs after winning just one of their first six games of the season.

Nicholas Pooran led the way with 35 off 28 balls but it was Pollard’s blistering 33* off just 12 balls that sealed victory.

Pooran’s knock included two fours and as many sixes while Pollard hit two fours and three sixes.

Dewald Brevis also chipped in with a 19-ball 27.

Narine took 2-24 from his four overs for the Knight Riders.

Full Scores:

LA Knight Riders 130 all out off 19.1 overs (Andre Russell 35, Jason Roy 27, Rashid Khan 3-22, Nosthush Kenjige 2-22, Trent Boult 2-38)

MI New York 134-6 off 17 overs (Nicholas Pooran 35, Kieron Pollard 33*, Dewald Brevis 27, Sunil Narine 2-24)

Caleb Porter says the New England Revolution need a result "by any means possible" as they prepare to face FC Dallas in their last MLS game before the Leagues Cup break.

The Revs have lost three straight matches and four of their last five, their latest defeat coming by a 5-1 scoreline versus the Philadelphia Union in midweek.

They are bottom of the Eastern Conference, already 11 points adrift of a guaranteed playoff place and five off the play-in spots, yet Porter remains positive.

"We have to be better. I still feel very good about our chances but certainly, a win on Saturday would go a long way to setting us up ahead of the Leagues Cup and the run-in," Porter said.

"I still feel very good about our chances, we've got games in hand. We should be healthier in those games.

"What I'm looking for is a result by any means possible."

Dallas, meanwhile, sit 11th in the West but are looking up after a difficult start, making it three wins from their last four matches in midweek.

After their 3-1 derby win over Austin FC, interim head coach Peter Luccin said courageous play will be key if they are to continue moving forward.

"This is FC Dallas' style, we want to play from the back. I like the ball, I think the team likes the ball, but to play from the back, we need courage to show in the right moments," he said.

"This is a thing that we'll have to improve because in the very specific and important moments, we didn't show for the ball. 

"But we are working on that and it's going to take time. Right now what we can see and I think what everybody can see is that the team is ready to compete. The team is competing every single game."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

New England Revolution – Xavier Arreaga 

The Revs' 5-1 defeat at Philadelphia on Wednesday was the third time they have conceded five or more goals in all competitions this season after not doing so once from 2020 to 2023. 

Centre-back Arreaga will be key if they are to atone for that showing here.

FC Dallas – Petar Musa 

Musa has scored in four straight MLS matches, the longest streak by a Dallas player since Paul Arriola did so in five straight in May 2022. 

Musa and Arriola are the only Dallas players to score in at least four straight league matches over the last six seasons.

MATCH PREDICTION: NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION WIN

After winning five of six matches from early June to early July, New England have lost three league games in a row. This is the Revs' fourth losing streak of three or more games this regular season.

However, they did beat Dallas in the teams' last head-to-head meeting in March 2022, having failed to win any of their previous 10 against them (one draw, nine losses) since 2012.

Dallas' recent victories, however, have all come at home, failing to win any of their last 13 road games since last October (three draws, 10 losses). Perhaps this game represents an opportunity for slumping New England.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY 

New England Revolution – 41.5%

FC Dallas – 31.8%

Draw – 26.7%

The San Francisco Unicorns opened up their 2024 Major League Cricket season with a dominant six-wicket win over the Los Angeles Knight Riders at Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas on Sunday.

West Indian all-rounder Andre Russell hit a whirlwind 25-ball 40* to lead the Knight Riders to 165-6 from their 20 overs after being put in to bat by the Unicorns.

Russell’s innings included two fours and three sixes.

Bangladeshi all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan chipped in with 35 off 26 balls including six fours.

Pacers Brody Couch and Haris Rauf took 2-24 and 2-38 from four overs, respectively.

The Unicorns then needed just 15.2 overs to reach 166-4 thanks to 63 from man of the match, Finn Allen and 58 from Matthew Short.

New Zealand’s Allen faced 37 balls and hit five fours to go along with five sixes while Australia’s Short hit five sixes and three fours in his 26-ball knock.

Spencer Johnson took 3-36 from his four overs for the Knight Riders.

Full Scores:

LA Knight Riders 165-6 off 20 overs (Andre Russell 40*, Shakib Al Hasan 35, Jason Roy 26, Brody Couch 2-24, Haris Rauf 2-38)

San Francisco Unicorns 166-4 off 15.2 overs (Finn Allen 63, Matthew Short 58, Spencer Johnson 3-36)

Batsman Unmukt Chand and bowler Ali Khan both played starring roles to help the Sunil Narine-led Los Angeles Knight Riders open their 2024 Major League Cricket season with a 12-run win over the Texas Super Kings at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas on Friday.

Chand, a former India Under-19 Captain, starred with a 45-ball 68 to help lead the Knight Riders to 162-7 from their 20 overs after being put in to bat by the Super Kings.

The 31-year-old hit six fours and three sixes and was well supported by Nitish Kumar who hit 26 off 17 balls including a four and two sixes.

Left-arm pacer Zia-ul-Haq took 2-16 from three overs for the Super Kings while Aaron Hardie and Marcus Stoinis took two wickets, each.

The Knight Riders were then able to restrict the Super Kings to 150-8 from their 20 overs thanks to some tight bowling throughout the innings.

Devon Conway led the Texas batting charge with 53 off 39 balls including four fours and two sixes while Calvin Savage made 29* off 18 balls.

Pacer Ali Khan took 4-33 from his four overs while Spencer Johnson bowled brilliantly up front on his way to figures of 2-18 from his four overs.

Sunil Narine was economic as usual with 1-23 from his four overs while Andre Russell went wicketless, conceding 25 in three overs.

Full Scores:

Los Angeles Knight Riders 162-7 off 20 overs (Unmukt Chand 68, Nitish Kumar 26, Zia-ul-Haq 2-16, Aaron Hardie 2-26, Marcus Stoinis 2-37)

Texas Super Kings 150-8 off 20 overs (Devon Conway 53, Calvin Savage 29*, Ali Khan 4-33, Spencer Johnson 2-18)

Portland Timbers head coach Phil Neville insists he and his players are keeping their feet on the ground ahead of travelling to FC Dallas this Friday. 

The Timbers extended their unbeaten run to seven matches in the MLS following their 3-2 victory over Minnesota United at Providence Park last time out. 

Neville's side are now fifth in the Western Conference table but are among a cluster of teams tightly packed in the middle of the division. 

However, the Portland head coach said that despite his side's recent form, they have achieved nothing but is confident his side will continue to push up the standings. 

"We are keeping our feet on the ground, I think that is massively important," Neville said. 

"If we hadn't scored that last minute goal, we would probably have been down in eighth or ninth. There are a number of teams jostling for positions in the league, so there is a long way to go. 

"We've got now four games before the Leagues Cup. We have a mini points target that we have set ourselves. 

"We want to keep pushing, we know the teams below us are pushing. We have to keep concentrating on ourselves. We are now in fifth, but we have achieved nothing.

"At this moment in time, fifth is not competing. Competing is being up at the top of the league. We are on the climb, we have momentum, we have confidence, we have belief but there is still a long way to go."

For Dallas, they suffered back-to-back league defeats in a narrow defeat to Cincinnati last time out, courtesy of Luca Orellano's second half strike. 

The result leaves Peter Luccin's side in 11th place in the Western Conference table, a point ahead of St. Louis City and seven behind Austin FC. 

However, the Toros will be hopeful of continuing their impressive home record against their opponents at the Toyota Stadium and build momentum ahead of their important league meeting with Kansas City three days later. 

pic.twitter.com/ySE1b0WqfU

— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) June 30, 2024

PLAYERS TO WATCH

FC Dallas – Petar Musa

Petar Musa has been in fine goal-scoring form since his arrival from Benfica in February, notching 11 goal involvements from 19 games for Dallas.

The Toros’ top scorer has four goals in his last three league games, including a hat-trick against Minnesota United, and will be confident of taking his tally into double figures.

Portland Timbers – Evander

Evander grabbed a goal and an assist in the Timbers’ win over Minnesota on Saturday, his seventh match this season with multiple goal contributions.

In doing so, the Brazilian equalled Diego Valeri (2013, 2017) for the most such games in a single regular season by a Timbers player in MLS.

MATCH PREDICTION: FC DALLAS WIN

Dallas will be looking for an immediate return to winning ways following their defeat to FC Cincinnati last time out. The loss was just their third in their last 22 home matches in all competitions (W10 D9) dating back to the start of the Leagues Cup last July. It was also only the second time in that span that Dallas failed to score in a home match.

Luccin’s side hold a favourable record against their opponents and have lost just one of their previous 11 encounters against Portland at the Toyota Stadium (W6 D4), dating back to 2015.

However, the visitors will come into the fixture with confidence following their comeback win over Minnesota. They came from two goals down to win 3-2, having also come back to win the previous time they trailed by two goals (vs. San Jose in May). Prior to these two comebacks, Portland had a record of W1 D11 L100 when trailing by multiple goals in an MLS match.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

FC Dallas – 44.2%

Draw – 26.8%

Portland Timbers – 28.9%

Petar Musa scored a hat-trick in FC Dallas’ thrilling win over Minnesota United in midweek, and he is thrilled with the attacking set-up under interim coach Peter Luccin.

Dallas beat Minnesota 5-3 at home on Wednesday, making it three games unbeaten.

The club dismissed Nico Estevez on June 9, and Musa suggested Luccin has let the team off the leash from an attacking standpoint.

“I think we play more vertically towards the goal,” said Musa.

“We are more offensive now, we have a lot of players who run behind and we started playing more attacking football.

"We scored five goals at home so you can see from the build-up that we play attacking soccer. I am very happy about the new style we are implementing.”

Luccin added: “I’m thankful and grateful for the effort from the players. It’s very important for me that the effort has been fantastic. I’m very pleased with some of the sequences that we had, playing good football and very vertical.

“Overall, the goals that we conceded, sometimes we need to be a little bit smarter. All the players have been fantastic. Five goals at home, I think the fans were very happy.

“I’m sure they would’ve liked fewer goals conceded but it’s part of the game. We are making progress. It’ll be step-by-step but you can see the attitude from the players is excellent. They want to play, they understand. Now we need to adjust to find that balance. I really think we deserved to win.”

Next up for Dallas is a trip to the northwest, to face the Seattle Sounders.

Dallas are one place and two points below Seattle in the Western Conference.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Seattle Sounders – Jackson Ragen

Ragen scored his first MLS goal in Seattle's 2-2 draw with the Houston Dynamo last time out. He is the seventh different player from the United States to score for the Sounders in MLS play this season, equalling their number from all of last season.

FC Dallas – Petar Musa

Musa’s hat-trick took him onto eight MLS goals for the season, four more than any other team-mate.

He is the sixth Dallas player with a hat trick for the team since the beginning of 2017, tying them with D.C. United for most such players with a hat-trick in that time.

MATCH PREDICTION: SEATTLE WIN

The Sounders are unbeaten in 20 straight home matches across all competitions against Dallas (16 wins, four draws), in a run dating back to August 2011.

They could equal the longest ever unbeaten home run by one MLS team against another here (21, achieved twice).

With Dallas winless in 11 MLS road games dating back to last October (three draws, eight defeats), we expect the Sounders to claim a slice of history.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Seattle Sounders – 47.5%

FC Dallas – 26.4%

Draw – 26.2%

FC Dallas interim head coach Peter Luccin will continue to give his players freedom as they welcome Minnesota United to the Toyota Stadium on Thursday.

The Frenchman earned a victory in his first game in charge of the Toros over St. Louis City last Sunday, ending a run of five games without a win.  

Dallas occupy 12th in the Western Conference table and will be looking to win consecutive matches within a single league season in over a year on home turf.

Luccin was pleased with his new side returning to winning ways, and insists that allowing his players freedom on the pitch is equally as important as the tactics he implements.

"In the end, I think that is the only way," Luccin said. “I think you saw that the best way is to give them the freedom to play.

"We are talking so much about tactics, and tactics are very important, but the freedom, I will say sometimes, with the ball, is even more important.

"We have some players who are very creative. I am not going to tell them how to pass a ball, but the only thing I can help them with is to read moments and what phase we are in."

Meanwhile, Minnesota suffered just their fourth defeat of the season in a 2-0 defeat away to Seattle Sounders, leaving them in fourth place and two points behind LA Galaxy with a game in hand.

The Loons travel to Dallas unbeaten in their last five visits to North Texas, winning twice and drawing three times and will be looking to continue that run this time around.

But an uncharacteristic part of their most recent defeat was their failure to find the back of the net. It was just the fifth time in Minnesota's last 40 league matches that they did not score.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

FC Dallas – Petar Musa

The Croatian is Dallas' top scorer this season with five goals, but has failed to find the back of the net since their draw with Houston in May. However, he will be hopeful of returning to the scoresheet in front of his home supporters.

Minnesota United – Robin Lod

Lod has continued to impress for Minnesota, not only in the wide positions but centrally too. The 31-year-old has five goals and eight assists this season for Ramsay's side.

MATCH PREDICTION: DALLAS WIN

Having gone five games without a win, Dallas halted their winless run with a victory over St. Louis last time out but have failed to win consecutive matches in a single season in over a year against Austin and Vancouver, but are well-placed to buck that trend.

Nkosi Tafari's headed goal against St. Louis was the sixth time Dallas have scored from a corner this season, tied for the second most in the MLS and two behind San Jose Earthquakes.

But Minnesota will be confident of returning to winning ways against their opponents, having lost one of their last 11 games against Dallas. The Loons are also unbeaten in their last five visits to Dallas (W2 D3), the club’s longest road unbeaten run against a team in the MLS.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Dallas – 41%

Draw – 26.7%

Minnesota – 32.3%

Afghanistan's strong start to the T20 World Cup continued on Friday as they dismantled New Zealand with an 84-run victory in Guyana.

It is now two wins in two for Afghanistan, who enjoyed another impressive opening stand as Rahmanullah Gurbaz plundered 80 off 56 balls, including five fours and five boundaries, with Ibrahim Zardan adding 44.

Azmatullah Omarzai's dismissal for 22 saw Afghanistan stumble, but with a respectable 159-6, it was always going to be hard for New Zealand to chase.

The 2021 runners-up could not find their footing, with only two of their players reaching double figures – Glenn Phillips top-scored with 18.

They stumbled to 75 all out in just 15.2 overs, suffering their first T20 international defeat to Afghanistan, and they drop to the bottom of Group C.

Elsewhere, Bangladesh survived a scare to make a winning start to their campaign, getting a two-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in Dallas.

Pathum Nissanka impressed with 47 off just 28 balls, but a flurry of late wickets saw Sri Lanka stumble to 124-9 after a strong start.

Bangladesh’s chase started poorly, with both openers being dismissed in the first two overs. However, after Towhid Hridoy's 40, and Liton Das' 36, Mahmudullah's 16 not out helped them over the line at the end of the 19th over.

Data Debrief: Dominant Afghanistan strike again

Afghanistan have opened an ICC Men's T20 World Cup campaign with back-to-back wins for just the second time, last doing so in 2016. They have now won their last four T20Is, their longest streak since 2022. 

Gurbaz hit 50 for the second game in a row, improving on his 76 runs in their win over Uganada with 80 in this win. 

Monank Patel lauded the United States' "complete performance" after holding on for a dramatic all-time upset against Pakistan in Dallas on Thursday.

In their T20 World Cup debut, the US have two wins from two and top Group A after beating Canada in their opener before following it up with another statement victory.

The US opted to let Pakistan bat first, limiting them to 159-7, and chased down the target exceptionally well, with Nitish Kumar hitting a four on the final ball to force a super over.

Pakistan still had no answers, falling to a five-run defeat in their opening game at the tournament.

Patel did not play in their opening game against Canada but came in to get 50 off 38 balls, including two fours and two boundaries, but quickly shifted the focus to the whole team.

"Playing in the World Cup, you don't get a chance to do it every year," he said. "We knew we had to be fully committed [to] every single ball against Pakistan. It was a complete effort from the team.

"It's a big achievement - beating Pakistan while playing for the first time. Complete performance. We used the conditions well. Kept them to 160, which was chaseable. Happy with my contribution, happier to have won.

"Plan was to have a big partnership among top three and then to take it deep. [Andries] Gous played cricketing shots and took pressure away. As a player and captain, you want to show off your talent on the big occasion. Wanted to score in a winning cause."

Pakistan struggled to get going, with captain Babar Azam finishing on 44 after a slow start to the game saw them struggle to build any momentum.

Despite eventually finishing the first innings strongly, Pakistan struggled to limit the US' chase, with errors creeping into their game to keep the tournament co-hosts in with a chance.

Azam highlighted their slow starts to both innings as their shortcomings in the loss.

"First six overs while batting, we couldn't capitalise. We took momentum but back-to-back wickets hurt us," he said.

"We were not up to the mark in the first six [while bowling]. Didn't take wickets, spinners didn't either. We came back in the end but couldn't finish well. Hope to do well in the future.

"[Result makes it] very hard. All credit to USA who did well in all three departments. That's why they won. There was moisture in the pitch. It was two-paced. As professionals, we had to assess conditions better."