Match Recap: Shelton strikes as first-place Sporting falls 2-1 at Minnesota - Sporting Kansas City

Sporting Kansas City: Tim Melia; Graham Zusi, Ilie Sanchez, Andreu Fontas, Luis Martins (Amadou Dia 82'); Remi Walter, Cam Duke (Daniel Salloi 54'), Roger Espinoza (Jose Mauri 82'); Johnny Russell (C), Gadi Kinda, Khiry Shelton (Grayson Barber 82')
Subs Not Used: John Pulskamp, Nicolas Isimat-Mirin, Roberto Puncec, Kaveh Rad, Jake Davis

Minnesota United FC: Tyler Miller; Romain Metanire, Michael Boxall, Bakaye Dibassy, Chase Gasper; Wil Trapp, Osvaldo Alonso (C); Robin Lod, Emanuel Reynoso (Hassani Dotson 90'), Franco Fragapane; Adrien Hunou (Ethan Finlay 70')
Subs Not Used: Dayne St. Clair, Brent Kallman, Jukka Raitala, Jan Gregus, Niko Hansen, Joseph Rosales, Fanendo Adi

Scoring Summary:
SKC -- Khiry Shelton 3 (Johnny Russell 8, Gadi Kinda 7) 8'
MIN -- Franco Fragapane 5 (unassisted) 20'
MIN -- Emanuel Reynoso 5 (penalty kick) 39'

Misconduct Summary:
SKC -- Cam Duke (yellow card; unsporting behavior) 48'
MIN -- Osvaldo Alonso (yellow card; unsporting behavior) 73'
SKC -- Gadi Kinda (yellow card; unsporting behavior) 79'
MIN -- Franco Fragapane (yellow card; unsporting behavior) 84'
SKC -- Amadou Dia (yellow card; unsporting behavior) 86'

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Match Recap: Shelton strikes as first-place Sporting falls 2-1 at Minnesota - Sporting Kansas City
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Suit Up is an excellent little match-three game for mobile [Game of the Week] - MobileSyrup

Suit Up has been one of my go-to mobile games for a while. It’s also been on my list to write about for a long time, but I’ve unfortunately been a little busy. However, now that I’ve got some time, let’s talk about Suit Up!

Developer Mikkel Christiansen describes Suit Up as “solitaire meets match-3,” which is fairly apt. Players get a five-by-three grid of cards (the board) plus a few cards in hand that they can play onto the board. The goal is, of course, to match three, but it’s seldom that simple.

Suit Up puts ‘jobs’ in the top-left corner of the game, which are specific matches players need to make. For example, players might get a job to match three of the same suit of cards, or a job to get a sequence of cards (1, 2, 3). Jobs must be completed in a set number of turns, or players take damage. At the beginning, players get one heart, which means if they fail one job, they lose. However, as you play, you can collect points to spend on upgrades, such as extra lives.

Other upgrades allow players to hold more cards in hand, get more time to complete jobs or even get the ability to clear all jobs on a three-of-a-kind match. Players can also spend the points on additional game modes, such as ‘One Deck’ that limits the game to 52 cards, ‘Fast Mode’ with a timer or ‘Hard Mode’ that adds extra restrictions to make the game more challenging.

Additionally, players can spend points on extra themes for the game that shake up the colours. Personally, I prefer the dark theme for late-night sessions, but all of the themes look great.

However, more than just being a fun little time-waster, Christiansen crafted a game that feels great to play. Most of my time with Suit Up was spent on the iOS version, which makes excellent use of the iPhone’s haptic engine. When you score a match, the game gives you a little nudge with the haptics (and the matched cards explode in a shower of colourful particles). But when you start chaining together matches, it feels really satisfying to get these little buzzes on your phone.

The game also came to Android this summer, but, unfortunately, it isn’t quite as polished. I noticed several bugs and it doesn’t appear to use haptics like on iOS (there is a menu option to turn on haptics, but it didn’t work on the Android devices I tested the game on). Still, the core gameplay is the same, which is enough for me.

Finally, it’s worth noting that the game is free but has ads. I find them more than manageable, however, getting the occasional ad every few games. If you don’t like ads, you can pay an in-app fee (about $4 on iOS and around $5 on Android) to remove them.

You can learn more about Suit Up here or download the game for free on the App Store or Play Store.

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Suit Up is an excellent little match-three game for mobile [Game of the Week] - MobileSyrup
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Live match blog - India vs New Zealand 28th Match, Group 2 2021/22 - Cricket Insights - ESPNcricinfo

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Match Recap | #DCvCLB - DC United

In the 33rd minute, Columbus played a long ball to Miguel Berry that left him one-on-one against Bill Hamid, who blocked the near-post shot. Tony Alfaro's slide tackle on Lucas Zelarayán was then judged as a penalty with the Argentine converting the spot kick for the equalizer on the cusp of halftime.

The second half started, and Columbus almost found the breakthrough when Pedro Santos' shot from distance rattled the crossbar. Substitute, Adrien Pérez, had United’s first look at goal in the second half when his low-driven shot was saved by Room. Then, in the 52nd minute, Ola Kamara was played through on goal by Arriola but his effort narrowly missed. Hamid came up big in the 55th minute when Columbus Crew SC played a through ball to Berry for a goal-scoring opportunity, but Hamid reacted quickly to stop it.

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Match Recap | #DCvCLB - DC United
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Afghanistan vs Namibia: ICC T20 World Cup 2021 Live Cricket Score, Live Score Of Today's Match on ND.. - NDTVSports.com

Match Reports

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On The Backcheck: Predators persevere in a heavy physical match against Barry Trotz and the New York Islanders - On The Forecheck

The Setup

Saturday morning at Bridgestone Arena was a little different than a game at night, but the biggest difference was the swarm of fans from the University of North Dakota that descended upon the Arena in anticipation of the US Hockey Hall of Fame Game tonight. As usual, I had some things to look for. First, I wanted to see if the Predators continued to establish themselves as a serious threat up close and in the middle of the ice in the offensive zone. I also wanted to watch Yakov Trenin. Trenin has done everything he needs to do on the ice so far except finish. I paid attention to his game hoping this would be the day he breaks through. And, of course, I looked for the Line of the Night (Afternoon).

Up Close and Personal

The Predators started off with a good pace, but it seemed like it took them getting a chance on the power play before they were able to get up close. Of course, I’ll point out that the game got physical early as the Islanders showed they were willing to play a rough, physical game. It seemed like a battle of two teams that set a goal of being hard to play against playing hard against each other. When that happens, both teams have to fight for every inch in order to get closer to the net. Even during the first period 4 on 4, both teams had a hard time getting near the crease. However, when the Predators were able to get up close, that’s when things started to happen. The biggest issue of the day would have to be the quality of goaltenders parked in the crease. It was going to take more than getting up close; screens, redirects, and a little bit of puck luck would be the key to the back of the net. It goes without saying that getting up close is what got the Predators both of their goals in regulation, thanks to Trenin (as you’ll read about below) and a great pass from Benning to Jeannot, who was parked on the goal line for the redirect.

Yakov Trenin

Trenin was back with the “Herd” Line of Colton Sissons and Tanner Jeannot. This is the identity line the team was known for last season and they’ve picked up where they left off. The difference for this game was that instead of this being the fourth line, they had them set as the third line. Trenin took a call for interference toward the end of the first, but it was really just a continuation of the rough stuff that had already taken place and a preview of what was to come. A huge moment that put Trenin’s talents on display had to have been his perfectly-timed jump screen as he rushed in front of Ilya Sorokin for Tanner Jeannot’s goal in the second. He didn’t get an assist, but that goal doesn’t happen in front of Sorokin without a screen. That’s what you hear referred to as hockey “sense” or “IQ”: knowing where to be away from the puck to make things happen. While it didn’t wind up being his night to break out offensively, he definitely contributed to the victory.

SURPRISE TOPIC

Saturday’s game took a turn for the rough and it took it early. I’ve spoken on at least two different podcasts and one YouTube show about the potential flaw in being “hard to play against”. The central issue arises because when you play with an “edge” you’re really playing close TO the edge. Sure, hard, physical play wears your opponent down, but it can also bring on some negative effects as well. The first, and most obvious: an increased amount of time spent playing short-handed. That leads to the second, and that’s overtaxing your penalty killers. This, in turn, wears your own team down. The risk can be worth it, but it can also come back to bite you. The Islanders scored two goals during the game and both of them came on the power play. Fortunately, the Predators were able to score two goals of their own in order to send the game to overtime. And the fruitless overtime stretched into a shootout where Filip Forsberg and Roman Josi were able to net the difference makers and notch a win for their team. However, had one of those penalties been left untaken, the overtime, and increased fan heart rate, could have been unneccesary.

Line of the Afternoon

The line of the afternoon was clearly the Herd Line of Trenin-Sissons-Jeannot. I’ll also throw in the pair of Borowiecki and Benning. This was a physical game and while the top lines certainly had some nice looks, it was the Herd line that got the job done. Benning not only had a beautiful assist on Jeannot’s second goal of the game but was also willing (along with Borowiecki) to stand up and get involved physically, both before and after the whistle.

Media

Hear from Colton Sissons (and Tanner Jeannot) on how Jeannot has enabled this line to play a much more physical game:

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On The Backcheck: Predators persevere in a heavy physical match against Barry Trotz and the New York Islanders - On The Forecheck
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MATCH RECAP: Inter Miami CF Falls 1-3 to NYCFC in Final Home Match of the Season - Inter Miami CF

Inter Miami opened the match with the most threatening chance of the early moments. In the 17th minute, Matuidi slipped a through ball into the center of the box for Gonzalo Higuaín, who curled an attempt on goal but Sean Johnson reacted and denied his shot with a low outstretched arm. Five minutes later, another chance came for the hosts when Vassilev dribbled on the edge of the box, evading defenders, and played a ball out wide to Lewis Morgan, who curled a shot from outside the corner of the box that went wide. 

The team, however, was forced into an early change as Nick Marsman came off injured in the 30th minute and was replaced by John McCarthy, making his first appearance since July.

In the 33rd minute, New York City took the lead. Valentín Castellanos dribbled to his right outside of the box and fired an unstoppable shot into the left corner of the net to make it 0-1. The scoreline would hold until halftime. 

Inter Miami once again opened strong to start the half. In the 53rd minute, a corner from Gonzalo Higuaín eventually fell to Federico Higuaín on the right side of the box and the midfielder clipped a half volley back towards goal that drew a save from Johnson and hit the underside of the bar, narrowly avoiding crossing the line before bouncing out. The action was his last before leaving the field in his final match at DRV PNK Stadium, as he was subbed off with Pizarro coming on in his pace. Higuaín received a standing ovation from the crowd as he left the field of play for the final time in South Florida.

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MATCH RECAP: Inter Miami CF Falls 1-3 to NYCFC in Final Home Match of the Season - Inter Miami CF
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Match Analysis: Pacific FC 1-2 York United – Canadian Premier League - Canadian Premier League

Final Score: Pacific FC 1-2 York United
Goalscorers: Campbell 49′; Ulbricht 56′, Wright 81′
Game of the 2021 season: 104
CPL match: 240

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Match in a minute or less

York United went to Starlight Stadium in search of important points on Saturday, and returned with three of them — beating Pacific FC 2-1 and climbing back into the top four. Nathan Ingham stopped a Lukas MacNaughton penalty in the first half, but The Tridents took the lead after the break on a header from Terran Campbell. Lowell Wright scored a goal and assisted another off the bench, earning The Nine Stripes a comeback road victory, and a temporary grasp on the final playoff spot.

Three Observations

York United jump back into playoff spot

Hours after Valour FC took over fourth place in the table with a 4-2 win over Cavalry FC at ATCO Field, it was York United’s turn to hold that position with their win in the final match of Saturday’s CPL triple-header.

HFX Wanderers entered the day in fourth, but after losing 4-1 to Forge FC, and Valour’s win on the road as well, the pressure was on York       to pick up a result, and they delivered.

Jimmy Brennan’s team dodged a bullet, with Nathan Ingham making a huge stop to deny Lukas MacNaughton’s penalty in the first half, and overcame an early second half deficit — with Julian Ulbricht and Lowell Wright scoring to cancel out Terran Campbell’s opener.

The win leaves York on 36 points through 26 matches, two points ahead of HFX and Valour, who both have 34 through 27 matches. That game in hand could be important for York, although they have to play Forge FC twice at home in those final two regular season matches.

Valour travel to take on FC Edmonton in their final match, while HFX host Atletico Ottawa as this tight playoff race goes down to the wire.

“We needed that win today,” said Brennan after the match. “We’ve had quite a few draws, we knew we needed to dig deep today to get something out of this game. The guys’ effort today was fantastic, we stuck to the gameplan, and they were rewarded with the two goals. It’s the three points we needed to get ourselves in the playoffs.”

Suspensions pending for Pacific’s MacNaughton and Dos Santos

Referee Alain Ruch had a busy night, handing out eight bookings in Saturday’s match, five to Pacific and three to York United. Two of them in particular will affect Pa-Modou Kah’s planning for Pacific’s next few matches.

Lukas MacNaughton picked up his eighth yellow card of the season, booked for simulation in the 71st minute — a controversial call as Pacific centre-back appeared to make slight contact with his York counterpart Dominick Zator on the way down.

With his eighth booking comes a two-game suspension, meaning MacNaughton will miss Pacific’s final regular season match against Cavalry, and first playoff game against a to-be-decided opponent. He’d be eligible to return for the final, should Pacific get that far.

Gianni Dos Santos was also given a card late in the game, but his was a straight red for alleged violent conduct. Dos Santos, seemingly frustrated, fouled Max Ferrari, and appeared to follow through by kicking the Nine Stripes left back. He also has a multi-game ban pending  at the business end of the season as a result.

RED CARD 🟥

Gianni Dos Santos is SENT OFF, and Iain Hume? He's not having it.

What do you think – red or not?#CanPL 🇨🇦 | 📺 TELUS ch. 980 | 🔴 https://t.co/hishXepRT3 pic.twitter.com/wl9RG8nqLk

— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) October 30, 2021

Brennan gets his substitutions Wright, with Lowell the hero for York

York head coach Jimmy Brennan made the decision to bring  Lowell Wright off the bench to replace Jordan Faria in the 55th minute, and the talented young forward made an immediate impact.

Just 22 seconds after coming on, Wright pushed his way past a defender, made his way to the goal line, and played a low pass into a dangerous area at the near post. Julian Ulbricht was there to poke it home, and York were back level in the 56th minute.

GOAL 👑@YorkUtdFC offer a quick response vs. @PacificFCCPL as Lowell Wright drives toward goal and causes some chaos, Julian Ulbricht earning credit for the finish#CanPL 🇨🇦 | 📺 TELUS ch. 980 | 🔴 https://t.co/hishXepRT3 pic.twitter.com/irEMBUzQ1T

— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) October 30, 2021

Not done there, Wright turned and fired a rocket of a shot into the top right corner of the goal, giving Pacific debutant Isaac Boehmer no chance to keep it out, despite his best effort.

The 18-year-old is up to five league goals on the year, tied for second on the team leaderboard with Diyaeddine Abzi, and one back of Alvaro Rivero’s six. He’s also contributed three assists in his 24 league appearances thus far in 2021.

GOLAZO 👑👑

Lowell Wright.

Enough. Said.

(😩)#CanPL 🇨🇦 | 📺 TELUS ch. 980 | 🔴 https://t.co/hishXepRT3 pic.twitter.com/97ShQwytKK

— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) October 30, 2021

“I thought Lowell was great when he came on,” said Brennan. “He’s such a big body, he’s got an eye for goal, he can hold up play, he works. His work ethic’s getting better and better every week. I was happy for him to get his goal.”

“Definitely happy with the performance that I put up, but more happy that the team got the three points today,” added Wright.

CanPL.ca Player of the Match

Lowell Wright, York United

The young attacker scored a goal and set up another in an impressive substitute appearance, earning his team all three points.

What’s next?

Pacific FC head to Ontario to take on Toronto FC in a Canadian Championship semifinal on Wednesday, November 3 (7:30 pm ET/ 4:30 pm PT). York United head a little further north, returning to York Lions Stadium for a pair of home games against Forge FC, starting on Saturday, November 6 (1 pm ET).

Watch all matches live on OneSoccer. In addition to its website and app, OneSoccer is now available on TELUS channel 980 and on Fubo TV. Call your local cable provider to ask for OneSoccer today.

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Match Analysis: Pacific FC 1-2 York United – Canadian Premier League - Canadian Premier League
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Volleyball: Cadets Lock-up Fifth Seed with Sweep of Saturday Tri-Match - norwichathletics.com

Posted: Oct 30, 2021

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The Norwich University volleyball team took a pair of Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) victories Saturday at the University of St. Joseph (Conn.) against the Blue Jays and Anna Maria, clinching the fifth seed in the conference tournament.

In their first match of the day against the Blue Jays, the Cadets won by a score of 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-16) with Kathryn Farnum (North Andover, Mass.) recording 10 kills and Ana Lopez (Laredo, Texas) and Addison Hall (Apple Valley, Calif.) recording nine kills each.

Sarah Farnum (North Andover, Mass.) recorded 28 assists in the match and Julia Schroeder (Victorville, Calif.) added two kills, 10 digs, and three service aces.

Against Anna Maria, Kathryn Farnum again led the Cadets with 14 kills, and added five digs. Laura Farnum (North Andover, Mass.) recorded 16 digs in the match.  Seven different players recorded service aces in the match. Jumping out to a 20-5 lead

The Cadets dominated play in the match jumping out to a 20-5 lead in the opening se, before eventually closing it out 25-11.

In the second set the Cadets again started quickly, scoring the first seven points of the set. Norwich then rattled off 18 of the first 19 points in the final frame taking command of the set.

The Cadets will face off against Regis, the fourth seed in the GNAC tournament on Tuesday down in Weston, Mass. at a time to be determined.

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Volleyball: Cadets Lock-up Fifth Seed with Sweep of Saturday Tri-Match - norwichathletics.com
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Match Analysis: Cavalry FC 2-4 Valour – Canadian Premier League - Canadian Premier League

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Final Score: Cavalry FC 2-4 Valour FC
Goalscorers: Camargo (24′), Mason (38′); Dyer (9′), Akio (43′, 69′), Aleman (90+4′)
Game of the 2021 season: 103
CPL match: 239

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Match in a minute or less

Valour FC didn’t crawl, they lunged back into the CPL playoff spots Saturday in a dramatic 4-2 win over Cavalry FC at Spruce Meadows. The Winnipeggers held firm during a turbulent first half that saw a 2-2 scoreline and a penalty save from Jonathan Sirois only for William Akio to pick up a clutch brace and a beauty from Keven Aleman on the final kick of the match. Saturday’s result, Valour’s first over the Cavs, sees Phil Dos Santos’ side catapulted into the fourth and final playoff spots and blowing the three-team chase for the fourth spot between them, HFX Wanderers FC, and York United wide open.

Three Observations

Valour scraps to keep playoff pace

What can be said about Valour FC at this point?

The side has pulled off a dramatic two-win turnaround including Saturday – their first win ever over Cavalry and the first result at Spruce Meadows to ever see four goals for the opponent – to go from nearly eliminated to the fourth and final playoff spot.

Valour sits with a solid chance to make the playoffs after the result and HFX Wanderers’ heavy loss against Forge FC earlier on Saturday. Winnipeg has leapfrogged the previous fourth-place frontrunners, though York United could take their place with a result late Saturday against Pacific.

“As long as you’re not mathematically out, you can’t stop,” Dos Santos said of his team’s never-die attitude. “We can’t celebrate yet – but we put ourselves in a good spot today.”

Earlier this week, coach Dos Santos claimed the team would qualify for the final four if they won both final matches, with a four-point total between Saturday and the regular-season finale vs. FC Edmonton. The first job is done – who knows what’s next for this team oozing with confidence.

Red hot Akio scores brace in shining hometown performance

Star attacker William Akio was crucial in Saturday’s result, proving clinical in a brace on his return to his hometown of Calgary. He’s scored five goals in the last five matches and is one of several players reborn under Dos Santos.

“When you get a new coach the energy changes, it’s like we’ve been born again,” Akio said. “We had to go into these last few games with 100 per cent belief no matter and that’s paid off.”

Akio counted around 40 family members in the stands also lined up against his brother, midfielder Victor Loturi of Cavalry.

“When we look at him on a daily basis he does all the right things,” Dos Santos added. “To have him here today to do this in front of his family, that meant so much to our team.”

Pure chaos in opening frame between sides in playoff chase

The opening 15 minutes of this match was, simply put, absolute chaos. End-to-end play saw Dyer and Akio smash the same part of the crossbar, Rocco Romeo give up a penalty but Joe Mason miss, and goals from Moses Dyer and Sergio Camargo on back-to-back possessions. Mason’s later goal was immediately cancelled out by Akio to end a wild half and make for one dramatic half of football.

!?!?!?!??! 😱

Jonathan Sirois SAVES the penalty…

… then @ValourFootball counters and SCORES! 🤯

This is WILD#CanPL 🇨🇦 | 📺 TELUS ch. 980 | 🔴 https://t.co/hishXepRT3 pic.twitter.com/eqvuMcSs4p

— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) October 30, 2021

You got the sense, considering the pace of play and the chilly, less-than-ideal conditions, that the match would be won and lost in these kind of stretches between two teams looking for points in a late-season playoff push.

“I told the guys these games are often about winning your battles, the duels, reducing mistakes,” Dos Santos said. “We were a mature team today, we reduced the mistakes.”

At the other end is a Cavalry side that created a fair number of chances and saw their opponents convert on each of their four shots on target.

“The crazy thing is we went into halftime thinking, how is this 2-2,” Cavalry FC head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. said of the performance of his “fab four” attacking group of Ben Fisk, Sergio Camargo, Mo Farsi, and Joe Mason. “We had so many good moments with our fab four – we just probably need to be a bit more clinical.”

Cavalry, who already has qualified for CPL playoffs, saw the long-awaited return of attackers Ali Musse and Oliver Minatel who both came off the bench. Musse played just five matches in the Winnipeg bubble before injury while Minatel hasn’t played for Cavalry since a season-ending injury at the Island Games over a year ago.

Red hot Akio scores brace in shining hometown performance

Star attacker William Akio was crucial in Saturday’s result, proving clinical in a brace on his return to his hometown of Calgary. he counted around 40 family members in the stands also lined up against his brother Victor Loturi.

GOAL 🎖🎖🎖

At what point does William Akio become an MVP candidate?

8 goals, a 2nd brace in 2021, @ValourFootball now 3-2 vs. @CPLCavalryFC with a potential playoff spot – tune in on Monday for OneSoccer Today 👀🗣#CanPL 🇨🇦 | 📺 TELUS ch. 980 | 🔴 https://t.co/hishXepRT3 pic.twitter.com/mhWpgD9sYI

— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) October 30, 2021

He’s scored five goals in the last five matches and is one of several players reborn under Dos Santos.

“When you get a new coach the energy chances, it’s like we’ve been born again,” Akio said. “We had to go into these last few games with 100 per cent belief no matter and that’s paid off.”

“When we look at him on a daily basis he does all the right things,” Dos Santos added. “To have him here today to do this in front of his family, that meant so much to our team.”

CanPL.ca Player of the Match

William Akio, Valour FC

Akio has himself been reborn under Phil Dos Santos, fully taking Saturday’s match by the scruff of the neck. The Calgarian was unfortunate not to score a third, too, including a shot off the crossbar and late on when he ran to the near post and looked to have ‘keeper Marco Carducci beat.

What’s next?

Up next for Valour FC is an all-important season-finale at Clarke Field in Edmonton next Saturday against FC Edmonton (3:30pm ET/1:30pm MT). Cavalry, meanwhile, is set to finish their two-game regular-season finale against the two other confirmed playoff sides in Pacific FC next Sunday (3:30pm ET/1:30pm MT) before a final tilt with Forge at midweek. Watch all matches live on OneSoccer. In addition to its website and app, OneSoccer is now available on TELUS channel 980 and on Fubo TV. Call your local cable provider to ask for OneSoccer today.

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Match Analysis: Cavalry FC 2-4 Valour – Canadian Premier League - Canadian Premier League
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Live match blog - Australia vs England 26th Match, Group 1 2021/22 - Cricket Insights - ESPNcricinfo

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Live match blog - Sri Lanka vs South Africa 25th Match, Group 1 2021/22 - Cricket Insights - ESPNcricinfo

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PREVIEW: Forge FC vs. HFX Wanderers FC — Match #102 – Canadian Premier League - Canadian Premier League

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2021 CPL regular season — Match #102
Forge FC vs. HFX Wanderers FC
October 30, 2021 at 1 pm ET
Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton, Ontario
Watch Live: OneSoccer.ca // Buy tickets HERE

In addition to its website and app, OneSoccer is now available on TELUS channel 980 and on Fubo TV. Call your local cable provider to ask for OneSoccer today.

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The Canadian Premier League’s Halloween weekend triple-header kicks off this Saturday in Hamilton, as HFX Wanderers pay a visit to Tim Hortons Field to take on Forge FC in yet another rematch of the 2020 CPL Final.

The Wanderers, currently clinging to the fourth and final playoff spot in the league by a one-point margin over York United, will probably consider Saturday’s game must-win, especially with both York and Valour FC, the two other sides still in the hunt for the top four, also playing away from home that afternoon. The urgency is even greater for HFX at the moment coming out of their midweek fixture on Tuesday, where they were dismantled in Winnipeg en route to a 3-0 loss to Valour.

Stephen Hart’s side have just one game on the schedule after this one — a home clash with Atlético Ottawa — so the margin for error is exceptionally thin as they hold desperately to their hopes of joining the top three sides in the playoffs.

“They know they have to turn things around, come up with two big performances, which starts with the one tomorrow,” Hart said on Friday.

One of those top three is, of course, the defending champions Forge. They’re third in the table as it stands with 41 points, meaning they’re three back of second-place Cavalry FC and four behind first-place Pacific. However, they actually have a better shot at breaking into the top two than it seems: with just 23 out of 28 matches played, Forge have two games in hand on Cavalry, and three on the Tridents. So, they’ll likely control their own fate over what’s sure to be a whirlwind couple weeks in November.

Saturday will be the fifth and (potentially) final meeting between the Hamilton and Halifax sides in 2021, and there’s been little to separate them. They’ve played three times at the Wanderers Grounds, both teams winning once with a draw in the third contest. In their only game at Tim Hortons Field so far this year, Forge’s Kwame Awuah scored with a lobbed cross in the 96th minute to equalize for the hosts and split the points.

Last weekend, these teams played out a 0-0 stalemate in Halifax. Certainly, both sides will be hoping to open things up a little more this time around as they look for three more points to close out October.

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Make your match picks prior to kickoff at canpl.ca/predictor for a chance to win prizes, including the grand prize of a trip to the 2021 CPL Final! To learn more about ComeOn!, click here.

All CPL matches are available to stream on OneSoccer, or on TELUS Optik TV Channel 980. 

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3 THINGS TO WATCH:

• Where will the goals come from for HFX? The Wanderers have not scored a goal in their last three games. In their last five, they’ve scored just one. Despite being in the driver’s seat for the fourth playoff spot, HFX have actually scored the fewest goals in the CPL this season with just 26 in 26 games. The recent absence of leading scorer (and CPL Golden Boot leader) Joao Morelli has certainly not helped; he has missed four consecutive games now, and the only goal the team has scored in that stretch was an own goal from a set-piece against Pacific. Coach Stephen Hart has been crying out all season for Morelli to have some help in the goalscoring department; in these final two games of the season, whether Morelli is there or not (his status remains questionable), it’s absolutely crucial that somebody steps up. “It’s a composure thing,” Hart said. “We just seem to lack that precision, that composure in the box. It is something we’ve been trying to address for the longest while, we just have to keep plugging away and hope that on the day we can find situations where we not only score the goals but even with the half-chances force saves and see what happens after that.”

• Forge expanding tactical toolbox: In Wednesday’s match against CF Montreal, Forge deployed a full-on high press system, which isn’t something they’ve often done in three years of CPL play. That’s certainly not something they’re likely to use often — and probably not against HFX, who can be very direct and play through a press when necessary — but it goes to show just how complex and versatile this Forge side is. “What’s important is you have to see what the opponent is, what their trends are,” Bobby Smyrniotis said on Friday. “At least for us, we have DNA and we have principles to the way we play but there’s always going to be adjustments based on the teams we play, where they could be dangerous, where we think we could block them and create opportunities for us… We’ve shown that when it comes to games like that, knockout games, things like that, we’re open to changing it up a little bit, but also sticking to our principles and making sure we’re good on the ball.”

• How quickly can Forge regroup after emotional CanChamp? Forge have no time to feel sorry for themselves after Wednesday night’s loss on penalties, with CPL matches (plus Tuesday’s Concacaf League) coming thick and fast now. However, there’s perhaps a sense that Forge will come into Saturday’s game even hungrier, having been knocked out of one competition but still alive in two others. Their focus will have narrowed slightly, and they’ll be desperate to bounce back as quickly as possible. “That chapter is done, you move on immediately. It doesn’t matter what you’re doing, how many games you’ve won in a row, what you’ve lost and so on, it’s pointless because you’ve got the next one and it’s an important one. We have an opponent coming in here who I think really needs three points based on their midweek result and things getting a little bit interesting in that part for that fourth playoff spot; they’re coming in with some level of pressure to get a result, and for us it’s important because we want to climb the table. It doesn’t matter at this point how many points you finish with, there’s no trophy for it.”

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ALL-TIME SERIES

HFX Wanderers wins: 2 || Forge FC wins: 3 || Draws: 6

Previous match:

October 23, 2021 — HFX Wanderers FC 0-0 Forge FC

KEY QUOTES

“We have players on the pitch that you interchange and it doesn’t change a lot of the way in which you have to play. You can pull one guy in, put the other other guy up into that position and keep things steady. They may bring a little bit of a different dynamic in how they do it, because that’s important, but it doesn’t change the basis of play.” – Forge FC coach Bobby Smyrniotis

“I do know (Forge) don’t want to have to leave Hamilton, they want to finish first. They’re going to do what they have to do.” — HFX Wanderers FC coach Stephen Hart

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PREVIEW: Forge FC vs. HFX Wanderers FC — Match #102 – Canadian Premier League - Canadian Premier League
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MATCH PREVIEW: Inter Miami CF to Host New York City FC on Saturday - Inter Miami CF

The match may feature reunions between former teammates or rivals for several Inter Miami and New York City FC players. Inter Miami captain Gregore may play against compatriot and former teammate Thiago Andrade, the duo featured together for Esporte Clube Bahia in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A during the 2020 season. Gregore may also encounter Nicolás Acevedo and Talles Magno, who he played against during his tenure with EC Bahia. Christian Makoun may play against known rivals Chris Gloster and Acevedo, who he has faced on the international stage during his time with the U-20 Venezuelan National Team. Makoun played against Gloster and the U-20 USMNT national team in a friendly in 2018 and against Acevedo and the U-20 Uruguay National Team in the U-20 South American Championship in 2019. Rodolfo Pizarro may encounter James Sands after recently facing off against him on Aug.1 in the CONCACAF 2021 Gold Cup final when Mexico played against the United States. The midfielder may also once again face off against Jesús Medina, who he last encountered on July 1, 2017 in an international friendly with the Mexican National Team against Medina’s Paraguay. Pizarro may also face off against Maxi Moralez again, after playing against him when he was with Club León during his stint with CF Pachuca.

There could also be numerous reunions between players of the U.S. National Team ranks. Indiana Vassilev may encounter previous teammates Gloster and Sands, who he played with on the U-17 U.S. National Team. The trio featured together with the team in several international friendlies from 2017 to 2018, as well in the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2017. Defender Ventura Alvarado may encounter former teammate Alfredo Morales, the pair featured together six times for the USMNT, including one CONCACAF Gold Cup match on July 13, 2015. 

Frenchman Blaise Matuidi may encounter Maxime Chanot after clashing against him in a FIFA World Cup qualifying match in 2017 in which France defeated Luxembourg 3-1. Gonzalo Higuaín may clash on the pitch once again with compatriot Maxi Moralez who he played against in Serie A during his time with SSC Napoli when Moralez was with Atalanta BC. Federico Higuaín may also encounter Moralez again, who he played against several times in Argentine top-flight fixtures during his stints with Nueva Chicago, Club Atlético Independiente, Club Deportivo Godoy Cruz Antonio Tomba and Club Atlético Colón. 

Lastly, Leandro González Pírez may encounter New York City’s Sean Johnson, Alexander Callens, Maxime Chanot, Sebastien Ibeagha, James Sands, Keaton Parks, Tony Rocha, Maxi Moralez, Jesús Medina, Ismael Tajouri-Shradi and Valenín Castellanos once again after facing them previously throughout his time in the MLS.

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MATCH PREVIEW: Inter Miami CF to Host New York City FC on Saturday - Inter Miami CF
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Match-fixing is a major threat to the new sports betting landscape. The high rollers are on high alert - Toronto Star

It’s a safe bet that Canadian sports fans aren’t familiar with Kyle McKinstry.

Almost a year ago, McKinstry received an eight-year ban from the Darts Regulation Authority for his role in fixing two matches at the Modus Icons tournament. The punishment was the result of an investigation after the governing body for professional darts was informed by the International Betting Integrity Association of suspicious betting activity during the event in April and May 2020.

Seven bookmakers flagged suspicious wagers and “significant connections” were discovered between McKinstry and eight bettors who made almost $33,000 from his loss to David Evans.

Match-fixing has been around forever, and Canada has also been in the eye of a betting storm. As Declan Hill wrote for the Star in 2016, the semi-professional Canadian Soccer League was once considered “a hot spot of corruption and match-fixing” with bettors from around the world profiting by wagering on CSL matches.

For the players in Canada’s new regulated sports betting industry, there is work being done to thwart the manipulation of sports events.

“Legal betting leads to more eyes watching and shining a brighter light,” said Paul Burns, president and CEO of the Canadian Gaming Association. “In the past, nobody was overseeing sports betting because the only regulation was around legal gaming.”

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, responsible for licensing and regulating what’s expected to be the only open sports betting and internet gaming market in the country, has met with the national and international associations and others to incorporate stringent standards. According to Doug Hood, the AGCO’s project manager for sports betting, any sportsbook applying for a licence will “have an obligation to monitor the betting patterns they’re seeing.”

“We’ve been speaking to as many different stakeholders as we can to get it right,” Hood said this week. “We’ve been able to learn from jurisdictions around the world and take the best pieces from each to create something that makes a lot of sense and works practically.”

Hood said those conversations have involved the International Betting Integrity Association, a not-for-profit organization that operates across six continents and is funded by more than 50 sportsbook operators through membership fees.

“We’re seeing how we can work more broadly with the AGCO now that Ontario is opening up,” said the association’s CEO, Khalid Ali. “We’ve been working with them closely and found them to be very receptive to hearing the pros and cons of integrity and regulatory practices.

“They’ve put together a very good model.”

The association has collaborated with the International Olympic Committee — including the monitoring of suspicious betting during the Tokyo Games — FIFA, UEFA, the International Tennis Integrity Agency, gaming commissions across Europe and other organizations which have an interest in keeping tabs on wagering patterns. Sportsbook operators can flag suspicious betting with the international association, which then passes the information along to a sports organization and/or integrity body for possible investigation.

“Our members want to make sure the games are safe so the customers can bet on them,” Ali said during a Zoom call from Brussels. “They won’t bet on a sport that’s being fixed.”

In its latest quarterly report, the international integrity body identified 65 suspicious alerts in nine sports, including soccer, tennis, basketball, esports and table tennis (which emerged as an attractive sport for bettors early in COVID-19 pandemic and has seen a subsequent rise in suspicious cases). Three alerts in North America have led to investigations: two tennis matches in Mexico and the U.S., and a cricket match in St. Kitts and Nevis.

While there’s heightened interest in live, in-game betting with increased access to data by sports leagues and sportsbooks, Ali said the data collected by his association shows the majority of alerts about potential match-fixing come before the start of an event.

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“A lot of people think in-play wagering is going to cause an increase in integrity threats,” Ali said. “If you want to move those (in-game) markets, it’s very difficult. You can get more money on pre-match (wagers).”

Until now, Ali’s group hasn’t operated in North America, which has a fast-growing betting industry with the legalization of single-event wagering in both Canada and the U.S. The NHL, NBA, NFL and other pro leagues have been monitoring deals with companies such as Sportradar and Genius Sports. NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told Sportsnet this past summer that the league has “a number of third-party resources that we regularly employ to monitor betting activities on our games.”

Matthew Holt, CEO of U.S. Integrity which counts the NBA and several sportsbooks and regulators among its clients, said the American betting industry — like the AGCO — has made independent monitoring a priority.

“The oddsmaker shouldn’t be your only integrity provider, just like an arresting officer in a case shouldn’t be the judge,” Holt said.

SM

Steve McAllister is the editor-in-chief of The Parleh sports betting newsletter. A freelance contributor to the Star's Sports section, he is based in Toronto. Follow him on Twitter: @StevieMacSports

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Match-fixing is a major threat to the new sports betting landscape. The high rollers are on high alert - Toronto Star
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Match Preview | #DCvCLB - DC United

D.C. United are set to play against Columbus Crew SC in their 33rd match of the 2021 Major League Soccer (MLS) Regular Season on Saturday, October 30, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. ET. D.C. United will continue their playoff push in their final home game of the regular season.

The Black-and-Red are coming into Saturday’s match off a critical 1-0 win over the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday. D.C. United found the early break with a goal from Kevin Paredes in the ninth minute and were able to hold off RBNY for the remainder of the match. United’s Man of the Match, Bill Hamid, was a crucial component in the team’s win as he finished the night with five saves and a clean sheet to win the game. The win also earned the Black-and-Red the Atlantic Cup for the first time since 2016 after beating their rivals twice in 2021.

Columbus Crew SC are also coming off a win over Orlando City SC of 3-2. Lucas Zelarayán was the vital piece in Columbus’ attacking success in a highly contested match between the two teams. Zelarayán assisted the first two goals of the match and scored the game-winner in the 61st minute.

D.C. United have an all-time record of 38-33-11 against Columbus Crew SC. The last time these two teams faced each other was on August 4 at Lower.com Field. The Black-and-Red won the match 4-2 after Ola Kamara and Yordy Reyna scored two goals each. After Wednesday’s matches, D.C. United sits in seventh place with 44 points, while the Columbus Crew stands in 10th place with 41.

Head Coach Hernán Losada on the Upcoming Match:

"Nobody was expecting this D.C. United team to be in this spot two games before the end of the regular season. It's a bounce back season, and I'm very happy to be the coach of this team of players who are running the extra mile and doing the extra effort... There's only one way to be where we are right now. And that is by working together and by building up a strong collective. And the guys did it. So it's incredible...We have been bouncing back every single game since the start. So, let's try to bounce back two more times."

D.C. United’s match is at Audi Field against the Columbus Crew SC on Saturday, October 30, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Tune into NBCSWA+, TeleXitos, and www.dcunited.com to watch the match.

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Match Preview | #DCvCLB - DC United
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PREVIEW: Cavalry FC vs. Valour FC — Match #103 – Canadian Premier League - Canadian Premier League

2021 CPL regular season — Match #102
Cavalry FC vs. Valour FC
October 30, 2021 at 3:30 pm ET/1:30 pm ET
ATCO Field at Spruce Meadows, Calgary, Alberta
Watch Live: OneSoccer.ca & TELUS Ch. 980 // Tickets available here

In addition to its website and app, OneSoccer is now available on TELUS channel 980 and on Fubo TV. Call your local cable provider to ask for OneSoccer today.

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Cavalry FC and Valour FC will meet in an all-important playoff matchup Saturday in Calgary.

The home side Cavs are in the hunt for a crucial home-field advantage in the already-clinched playoffs while Winnipeg is staring down an underdog story for the ages – all set to be played in an ice-cold Calgary (more on that later).

Valour is coming off of potentially their biggest win in recent memory on Tuesday when Phil Dos Santos’ group thrashed HFX Wanderers FC 3-0 at IG Field. A monumental result of itself, but made bigger by the fact Winnipeg staved off elimination and came within striking distance of the fourth and final playoff spot with the win. Saturday’s match is a must-win for the Winnipeg side with two matches remaining (including away to FC Edmonton) – they’re three points back of the Wanderers on fourth place while fifth place York United sit two points ahead with a game at hand.

“We understand the moment we’re in,” Dos Santos said. “We’re in a good place, the team is confident even considering the loss we had in Ottawa before Halifax.”

Cavalry, meanwhile, was the first team to clinch a CPL playoff spot in 2021 following a dramatic 2-1 win over Pacific FC last week. Tommy Wheeldon Jr.’s side is in the midst of a six-match unbeaten run and are real candidates to surge ahead for the top spot in the regular season – a neat crescendo aided by an ever-healing group of players that now includes Joe Mason and Tom Field with Mason Trafford, Nik Ledgerwood, Oliver Minatel, and Ali Musse on the mend. Can Calgary continue that rise? Especially going into their final two matches of the season against their two CPL top three competitors in Pacific (at home, Sunday Nov. 7) and away to Forge FC (away, Tuesday Nov. 16)?

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Make your match picks prior to kickoff at canpl.ca/predictor for a chance to win prizes, including the grand prize of a trip to the 2021 CPL Final! To learn more about ComeOn!, click here.

All CPL matches are available to stream on OneSoccer, or on TELUS Optik TV Channel 980. 

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3 THINGS TO WATCH:

• Snowy & cold day set for Calgary: Calgary and, in this case by extension, the CPL has been spared from wintry weather so far this season – Saturday will likely be the end of that trend, with freezing temperatures on the heels of a significant snowfall Friday. Environment Canada is calling for snow to fall throughout the day, ending up with between five and 10 centimetres of snow to land by overnight. Tomorrow will see a high of 0 with a windchill closer to -11 in the morning. Perfect weather for some football, right?

• Valour riding a high: It’s hard not to discuss Valour’s fortunes without mentioning their result against Halifax – a swashbuckling affair that saw a Winnipeg side run their tail off for 90 minutes. Dos Santos will have bottled that energy in his side but, as he explained before the match, the team also has to show a level of discipline against a bruising and similarly high-octane Cavalry team with a rare week’s rest: “We don’t need to feel like we need to solve everything very early in the game… We will need to be disciplined defensively without backing off – there’s a fine line there – I never want to ask our team to not to be aggressive and step on the opposition but we need to understand there are moments where we’ll be low and Cavalry will have possession… We just need to manage that better.”

• Valour playoff hopes hinge on Saturday: Meanwhile, Dos Santos has reason to believe his team can make the playoffs in a season-defining two-game set, adding: “I have to be bold to say that if we win the next two games, we will be in the playoffs,” he said, qualifying as a “very personal” prediction. “Even if we have four points, we have a chance.” If either Halifax or York can reach 38 points – with a win and a draw for the former or a win and two draws for the latter – they’ll eliminate a Winnipeg side that wins out. What’s notable, though, is Valour have an advantage when it comes to tiebreakers which, in the 2021 CPL season, stand in the following order; Total number of wins, goal differential, goals for, away goals differential, away goals for, home goals differential, home goals for, most U-21 Domestic Player Minutes during the regular season, and, finally, and unlikely coin toss or drawing of lots (tie of three or more Teams). Valour has more wins (nine) and a better goal differential (0) than both HFX and York, due to their red hot start in the Winnipeg bubble.
  

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ALL-TIME SERIES

Valour FC wins: 0 || Cavalry FC wins: 6 || Draws: 3

Previous match:

Oct. 5, 2021 — Valour FC 0-0 Cavalry FC

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KEY QUOTES

 “I think it’s gonna be a difficult game for us. We’re going away to a place that’s difficult for everyone… But we also understand who we are, as a team, and the moment and importance of a result.  Cavalry is going to come out with that energy as they look for the top seed in the playoffs. It’s up to us to manage that, too.” – Valour FC head coach, Phillip dos Santos

“The next game is always the most important because in a slew of games that we’ve had, you never can take your eye off the next game. This is why we play the game. We’re in the running. We’re (three) games away from the season ending. And as thick and as congested as it’s been, this is the exciting time of the year.” – Cavalry FC head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr.

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PREVIEW: Cavalry FC vs. Valour FC — Match #103 – Canadian Premier League - Canadian Premier League
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Match Center | October 30 vs. Columbus Crew SC - DC United

All attendees will be required to wear a mask when located in an indoor space unless consuming food or beverage while seated.

Fully vaccinated guests (age 3 or older) – meaning two weeks after the second dose in a two-dose series, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine – will not be required to wear a mask while entering the stadium at any outdoor entry point, or while seated in an outdoor seating location. Unvaccinated guests continue to be required to wear a mask at all times, unless actively eating or drinking in their seat.

All tickets for the match are available through mobile devices; please download your ticket in advance. The easiest place to access your mobile tickets is through the official D.C. United Mobile App.

You can access your tickets by using either the app, or your D.C. United Account Manager. Once logged in, select Manage Tickets and add all of your tickets to either your Apple or GooglePay Wallet. We strongly recommend adding your tickets to your Wallet prior to arriving at the venue, for ease of entry.

Gates open 1.5 hours prior to kickoff. We recommend entering through the gate notated on your digital ticket to eliminate lines upon entry to Audi Field.

For a detailed list of matchday or stadium-related information, refer to the A-to-Z Guide.

To expedite entry into Audi Field, we strongly encourage fans not to bring bags to the stadium. Designated lanes will be set up for fans with bags and fans without bags. If you must bring a bag to the stadium, please see the important info below or visit our Bag Policy page.

Audi Field offers a wide variety of food and beverage options. Visit our Concessions page to view a full menu.

D.C. United fans will have the ability to place an in-stadium mobile order for pick-up to allow all fans to eliminate queuing. Place your order here for pick-up.

At each D.C. United regular season home match, when you pay with ApplePay, get bottled water for just $1! This offer is valid at every concession stand location and through mobile order for pick-up.

Reserve Parking with SpotHero: We recommend booking convenient and affordable parking in advance through SpotHero, the nation's leading parking reservations app.

To reserve your parking spot, visit the Audi Field SpotHero Parking page and book a spot with rates up to 50% off drive-up.

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Match Center | October 30 vs. Columbus Crew SC - DC United
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Atlanta United vs Toronto FC: Match Preview - Dirty South Soccer

A lot has happened since April 24th. That was the day of Atlanta United’s first home game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium with a sizeable crowd since 2020. The Five Stripes were still early on in Gabriel Heinze’s tenure and beat Chicago Fire 3-1 thanks in part to a wondergoal from Ezequiel Barco. Heinze has now come and gone, Atlanta suffered through a dreary summer that sent it tumbling to the bottom of the Eastern Conference, and Gonzalo Pineda was brought in as the club’s sixth head coach in five seasons. The whirlwind that has been 2021 is still roaring onwards at full speed but (you would presume) finally nearing its conclusion one way or the other. If the recent trend is anything to go by, however, we still have several twists and turns left. Atlanta’s comeback win over Miami kept its home playoff game hopes alive but it can ill afford a slip up at home against 13th-placed Toronto FC.

Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

The Canadian side has taken on the role of spoiler since Atlanta eliminated it from playoff contention with a 2-0 win at BMO Field. TFC staggered into a 3-0 loss against Miami but has since picked up home draws off CF Montreal and Philadelphia Union. A goal from Jozy Altidore in each game (including a 95th-minute equalizer vs. Montreal) has been the catalyst for Toronto’s (albeit slight) revival and TFC will come into Saturday's encounter with as much confidence is possible for a team with 27 points. Some of Javier Perez’s side’s attention will be on a midweek affair in the Canadian Championship the following Wednesday. Toronto is up against Canadian Premier League side Pacific FC for a place in the final and a Concacaf Champions League berth.

Atlanta, meanwhile, has much more immediate needs. It has a game in hand on all of the teams above it and is a mere two points out of a home playoff game. The Five Stripes will have to jump both NYCFC and Orlando for that to become reality and it could very well take nine points out of nine for that to happen. Following Saturday’s visit from Toronto, Atlanta heads on a two-game road trip against the New York Red Bulls and FC Cincinnati. Gonzalo Pineda’s side has everything left in its own hands but that won’t matter if it can’t take care of business in the final week of the Regular Season.

Predicted Starting XIs

Atlanta’s Predicted XI (4-2-3-1)

Toronto’s Predicted XI (4-3-3)

With every game mattering to the extreme form here on out, it’s hard to see Pineda throwing much rotation into the mix. Atlanta looked ten times better in a back four than its usual 3-4-3 against Miami so it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Five Stripes go with a 4-2-3-1 from the start.

Prediction: Atlanta United 3-2 Toronto FC

Atlanta will race out to a multi-goal lead by halftime thanks to strikes from Barco and Luiz Araujo but its struggles to close out games will once again rear its head when Toronto pulls back a consolation goal to make things interesting.

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Atlanta United vs Toronto FC: Match Preview - Dirty South Soccer
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