While they are still in the relegation zone, things are starting to look up for West Ham United.

In his first game in the dugout, Nuno Espírito Santo oversaw a spirited fightback that saw the Hammers pick up a point away to Everton.

Moreover, while they lost against Arsenal, they were not blown away as they probably would’ve been under Graham Potter.

However, there is still more to come from the side, and while Jarrod Bowen continues to impress whenever he is on the pitch, another West Ham player could get back to his best and in the process become Nuno’s new Morgan Gibbs-White.

Changes Nuno can make for the next game

While it will take some time for Nuno’s tactical changes and philosophy to really sink into the side, there are a few changes he could make ahead of the next game that may lead to some instant results.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Expand Collapse

For example, while at his best, he can be a fulcrum for the attack, it might be time for Niclas Füllkrug to be taken out of the team, as he offered no threat whatsoever in the last two games.

Moreover, against the Toffees, he managed to lose ten of his 14 aerial duels, so on top of not worrying opposition defences, he’s also not holding the ball up enough.

Füllkrug’s West Ham career

Season

24/25

25/26

Appearances

20

7

Minutes

877′

385′

Goals

3

0

Assists

2

0

Goal Involvements per Match

0.25

0.00

Minutes per Goal Involvement

175.4′

N/A

All Stats via Transfermarkt

In place of the German, Callum Wilson could be given a start, or if the manager wants to be bold, he might go for an academy player like Callum Marshall or maybe even Josh Landers.

Another change that might be worth making is in the six position, as while Soungoutou Magassa is undoubtedly talented, he is clearly still adapting to the pace and power of the league.

The Frenchman only completed ten passes against the Gunners, lost Declan Rice for the opener, and lost three of four duels.

So, with a home game against Brentford after the international break coming up, it might be the perfect opportunity to hand Freddie Potts his first start for the club, as in his half an hour at the Emirates, he looked reasonably impressive.

However, while these changes might have a moderate impact in the short term, Nuno could see a more significant impact should one of West Ham’s best players rediscover his best form, someone who could become his new Gibbs-White.

The West Ham star who could be Nuno's new Gibbs-White

While Bowen will undoubtedly continue to be the superstar of this team, the player who could end up being a Gibbs-White style star for Nuno is Lucas Paqueta.

The former Lyon gem hasn’t been at his best in every game this season, but when he’s on track and things are going his way, it’s easy to see how he could have a similar impact on the team that the Englishman did at Nottingham Forest.

At his best under his former manager, the Tricky Trees’ talisman was a silky attacking midfielder who was as capable of scoring a sensational goal as he was of creating them for his teammates.

For example, in 38 games last season, totalling 3142 minutes, he racked up a tally of seven goals and ten assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.23 games, or every 184.82 minutes.

Now, while the Irons’ Brazilian “magician,” as dubbed by journalist Josh Bunting, hasn’t quite hit numbers like that since moving to East London, he has gotten reasonably close before.

For example, in 23/24, he chalked up an impressive tally of eight goals and seven assists in 43 games, totalling 3478 minutes.

That came out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.86 games, or every 231.86 minutes.

Now, if the 28-year-old was able to put up numbers like that in the past, there is no reason he can’t do so again, especially with Nuno in charge, who has a track record of getting more out of his attackers.

​​​​​​​

Finally, the last reason Paqueta could become West Ham’s own Gibbs-White is that, when confident, he is, as talent scout Jacke Kulig puts it, a “pure joy to watch,” and that is how many a Forest fan would likely describe their talismanic midfielder.

Ultimately, this could be a long season for West Ham as they look to get back to their best. However, if the manager can utilise his star midfielder in the same way as his last one, it might not be so bad.

Related Nuno can drop Fullkrug & Wilson for West Ham's 20-year-old "goalscorer"

The promising youngster could be Nuno’s answer to his Füllkrug & Wilson problem at West Ham.

Posts 1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Oct 9, 2025

Juventus’ crisis deepens as their winless run stretches to six games following a 1-0 defeat to Lazio marking their fourth consecutive match without scoring. Coach Igor Tudor, under rising pressure and sacking rumours, refused to hide behind excuses, bluntly stating that “everyone is responsible” for the team’s collapse, even as he urged unity and insisted he won’t step down.

Juventus’ goal drought deepens

Juventus once again found themselves on the wrong end of a narrow defeat at Stadio Olimpico. This time registering a 1-0 loss to Lazio that exposed the same recurring issues. Toma Basic’s early deflected strike decided the game, as Juve dominated possession but failed to find a breakthrough. The frontline pairing of Dusan Vlahovic and Jonathan David struggled for cohesion, while Andrea Cambiaso and Francisco Conceicao provided energy without end product.

It marked Juventus’ sixth straight game without victory and their fourth consecutive match without a goal. Their build-up play was predictable, and defensive lapses continued to cost them points. Lazio exploited space on the break, and Juve’s response lacked conviction. Coach Tudor, who was visibly frustrated after the final whistle, admitted the team’s shortcomings but urged collective accountability. “It’s a tough and difficult time, and we’re all responsible,” he said. “We prepared for the game well, but we’re still missing something. We need to stay united and work harder together.”

AdvertisementGetty Images SportEveryone is responsible, says Tudor

After the defeat, Tudor’s tone was frank, reflective, and unflinching as he addressed the critics in the post-match press conference. The Croatian manager refused to be drawn into the growing speculation around his job security, instead calling for unity and honesty.

"It's a tough and difficult time, and we're all responsible. We need to stay united and work harder together. We prepared for the game well, but we're still missing something: we need to get it right and we can't make mistakes at the back. Instead, there are always some mistakes and we lose games," Tudor said.

Reflecting on the scrutiny he is facing, Tudor explains: "I'm not thinking about myself. I see everyone asking me these questions, but I'm not thinking about myself. I live in the present and I don't care about the future. I'm clear-headed and aware of the problems that exist. Steps backward? No, no, my friend: steps can only be taken forward. We feel terrible, but we need to stick together and pull together. Everyone is responsible, we're trying to do better, and this is a time like this, but we'll play immediately in two days, and with a win we can get going again."

Tudor's tactical tweaks do no good

In recent weeks, Tudor has not stood still tactically. Facing a goal drought and pressure from above, he has experimented with systems and personnel in search of balance. Shifting between a 3-4-2-1 and a 3-5-2, he has tried pairing Vlahovic with David, expanding Conceicao’s role, and alternating midfield pivots between Teun Koopmeiners and Manuel Locatelli to improve transition play.

Defensively, Juve moved from zonal to partial man-marking in response to set-piece frailties. Tudor also gave full-backs like Cambiaso and Llyod Kelly greater licence to push higher, seeking width and unpredictability. However, the execution has lagged behind the intent, and the team continues to lack fluency in the final third.

As Tudor explained post-match, the ideas are there, but mistakes persist: “Today we tried with two strikers, we were there and had chances, but we’re definitely missing something. I chose David and Vlahovic because [Kenan] Yildiz needed a rest: both have goals in their arsenal, but when you get to the final 20 meters, someone has to score, otherwise a small mistake always happens and you get punished.”

Despite tactical reshuffles, Juventus remain toothless up front and unsettled at the back which is a worrying sign with key fixtures against Udinese, Cremonese and Sporting CP looming.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

AFPDefining weeks ahead for Tudor

The atmosphere in Turin is tense. Reports suggest Juventus have begun quietly assessing replacements should results not improve, with Roberto Mancini, Luciano Spalletti and Edin Terzic among the names linked. Yet for now, the club hierarchy, led by general manager Damien Comolli, insists on patience.

Among the few positives in Turin, Kenan Yildiz continues to be viewed as the symbol of Juventus’ future. Tudor, despite resting him against Lazio, emphasised his faith in the youngster: “He’s a special player with something unique. You can see it in his attitude, his touch, his personality. But he’s still young, we must protect him and help him grow.” 

In the short term, focus turns to Udinese, Cremonese, and Sporting – three fixtures that could shape the remainder of their campaign. A win could reset momentum; another poor showing might force decisive action from the management.

The PBKS captain scored an unbeaten 41-ball 87 to take his team to their second IPL final and first since 2014

Shashank Kishore01-Jun-20251:53

Moody: Shreyas identified key moments to go into the fifth gear

“Relax, rejuvenate, get a massage, and be in a great mindspace.”That is Shreyas Iyer’s agenda ahead of Tuesday’s IPL 2025 final, where he’ll have the chance to win a second straight title as captain, this time with Punjab Kings (PBKS), following his success with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) last year.Iyer played a truly special innings to get there. His unbeaten 41-ball 87 in Qualifier 2 against Mumbai Indians (MI) took PBKS to their second IPL final, their last one coming way back in 2014. Iyer’s knock contained eight sixes, including four in what became the match’s final over as PBKS won with six balls to spare.Related

Power, stance and backlift: how Iyer took his ball-striking to new heights

The night MI felt the full force of Shreyas' ire

IPL to crown a new champion as RCB and PBKS meet in the final

Sensational Shreyas Iyer powers PBKS to second IPL final

Iyer was a picture of composure as he struck the winning runs, even as his team-mates rushed onto the field to celebrate.”I don’t know, to be honest,” he said of his demeanour. “I love big occasions. I say to myself and my colleagues, the bigger the occasion, the calmer you are, and you’ll get the best results. Today I was focusing on my breathing rather than sweating it out.”Iyer also spoke of an attitude shift in the PBKS camp since their defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Qualifier 1 three nights ago. He said he had underlined to the team that one bad game wasn’t going to define their season. Having thrown the “hiccup” against RCB “in the bin”, they wanted to show “intent and positivity” going into a knockout clash against MI.”All the players need to be assertive,” he said. “Show intent from ball one. We weren’t able to capitalise on the start, but the intent was stupendous. Even for me, when I went out there, I had to take some time, but the batsman at the other end [Josh Inglis], he was striking pretty well. I know the more time I spend on the field, the better I play and my vision also gets better.”‘Today I was focusing on my breathing rather than sweating it out’•Associated PressIyer’s handling of a group of hugely talented uncapped Indian players at PBKS has come in for widespread praise. Among this group is Nehal Wadhera, who made crucial 29-ball 48 during an 84-run stand off just 47 balls with his captain.”I just let them be, don’t ask too much of them,” Iyer said. “I love the fearless nature we bring to the table, the ideas they share. Talk to any of them and they’ll have a fair set of ideas on how to play a situation. Even if they haven’t got that much experience, I feel they have that brave nature, and in such big occasions, it’s important they need to gain more experience.”Asked to jog back to auction day and the prospect of going to a new team, Iyer revealed he wasn’t focused as much on going to a particular team as he was on playing in a “good environment”, which he said he got at PBKS this year.”I am very comfortable around the management and everyone around me and the environment is very positive,” he said. “I am just staying in the moment, cherish the situation. I want to go to the dressing room and celebrate with team-mates about getting into the final. But in my mind the job is only half-done, so I don’t want to think too much about the final.”

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras treinou na tarde desta quarta-feira (13), na Academia de Futebol, e seguiu a preparação para o confronto com o Goiás, na sexta (15), às 21h30, no Allianz Parque, pela 23ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro. A principal novidade do dia foram os retornos do lateral-esquerdo Piquerez e dos meio-campistas Raphael Veiga e Richard Ríos, que estavam servindo as seleções de Uruguai, Brasil e Colômbia, respectivamente.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasContra o Goiás, Palmeiras faz último jogo no Allianz Parque antes de duelo contra o BocaPalmeiras13/09/2023PalmeirasZerado nos últimos dois jogos, Palmeiras encontra rival de maior goleada em 2023Palmeiras13/09/2023PalmeirasLíder em estatística no Palmeiras e no Brasileirão, Endrick reencontra vítima do primeiro turnoPalmeiras13/09/2023

+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

A ausência sentida foi do zagueiro Gustavo Gómez, que representou a seleção do Paraguai, e deve retornar aos treinos com o restante do elenco na atividade desta quinta-feira (14), às 10h, na Academia de Futebol.

+ Já pensou em ser um gestor de futebol? Participe da nossa Masterclass com Felipe Ximenes e descubra oportunidades

Em campo, Abel Ferreira orientou um trabalho técnico-tático de construção de jogadas e finalizações. Veiga participou sem restrições, enquanto Piquerez e Ríos realizaram um cronograma regenerativo com trabalhos na parte interna do centro de excelência e corrida ao redor do campo.

continua após a publicidade

De acordo com o portal ‘Nosso Palestra’, a ideia de Abel Ferreira é relacionar todos os quatro ‘selecionáveis’ para enfrentar o Esmeraldino.

As outras informações do treinamentos foram fornecidas pela assessoria de imprensa do clube.

+ Diante do Goiás, Palmeiras se despede do Allianz Parque antes do duelo contra o Boca

O provável Palmeiras para encarar o Goiás é: Weverton, Marcos Rocha, Gómez, Luan e Piquerez (Vanderlan); Zé Rafael, Gabriel Menino e Raphael Veiga (Jhon Jhon); Mayke, Artur e Rony.

O Palmeiras treina nesta quinta-feira (14), a partir das 10h (horário de Brasília) e encerra a sua preparação para o duelo diante do Goiás.

Tudo sobre

Palmeiras

كشف الجهاز الطبي للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك، عن التشخيص المبدئي للثلاثي خوان بيزيرا ومحمد صبحي وأحمد فتوح.

وفاز فريق الزمالك على طلائع الجيش بثلاثية مقابل هدف، في المباراة التي أقيمت بينهما على استاد القاهرة الدولي في الجولة الثالثة عشرة لمسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز، ليرفع الأبيض رصيده إلى 22 نقطة.

طالع.. رجل مباراة الزمالك وطلائع الجيش في الدوري المصري

وأكد الجهاز الطبي على تعرض أحمد فتوح الظهير الأيسر للفريق، لالتحام قوي خلال مباراة طلائع الجيش وتم الاطمئنان عليه وحالته مستقرة.

كما أشار الجهاز الطبي إلى تعرض البرازيلي خوان بيزيرا لإصابة في العضلة الخلفية وسوف يخضع لبعض الفحوصات لتحديد مدى إصابته، بينما شعر محمد صبحي بإجهاد عضلي ليتم تبديله والاطمئنان عليه.

ويستعد الزمالك لمواجهة بيراميدز، الخميس المقبل، في نصف نهائي بطولة كأس السوبر المصري.

Friday features a jam-packed slate of Major League Baseball action, and there are plenty of ways to bet in the prop market with so many teams playing. 

I’ve narrowed down my picks for Friday’s slate to just three, with two starting pitchers and one red-hot hitter getting the nod. 

The game of the night on Friday is likely between the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers, and Yankees slugger Aaron Judge may need to have a big game after Juan Soto exited Thursday night’s contest with left forearm discomfort. 

Judge is one of the three players I’m targeting tonight, so let’s dive into the picks for June 7: 

Best MLB Prop Bets for Friday, June 7Chris Sale to Record a Win (-110)Aaron Judge OVER 0.5 Walks (-125)Griffin Canning UNDER 4.5 Strikeouts (-125)

Chris Sale to Record a Win (-110)

Atlanta Braves lefty Chris Sale is coming off a rough outing to open June, allowing eight earned runs in four innings against the A’s, but I think he’s due for a bounce-back showing against the Washington Nationals on Friday.

Sale was terrific in May, allowing just two earned runs across five starts (32.0 innings of work), so I’m not reading too much into his clunker to start June.

The Braves are 8-3 in Sale’s 11 starts this season, and he’s earned the decision in every win, posting an 8-1 record. Prior to his last outing, Sale had earned the win in seven consecutive starts.

Rather than laying the price on the Braves moneyline, I like taking Sale to earn the win against a Washington team that struggles against left-handed pitching, ranking 27th in MLB in OPS.

Aaron Judge OVER 0.5 Walks (-125)

Judge and Soto have been the best duo in baseball this season, but if Soto misses this game – or extended time – Judge may see less pitches to hit going forward.

As it is, Judge has drawn at least one walk in five straight games, and he’s racked 52 total walks in 64 games so far in 2024. 

Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto doesn’t walk a ton of hitters (just 14 in 12 starts), but I can’t imagine he’ll look to attack Judge every at bat with Soto likely out of the lineup on Friday. 

Judge has been great at drawing walks and getting on base for years, so I’ll gladly take him at this price on Friday. 

Griffin Canning UNDER 4.5 Strikeouts (-125)

Los Angeles Angels starter Griffin Canning has a tough matchup on Friday, as he’s taking on the Houston Astros, who strikeout a league-low 6.83 times per game this season.

Canning has cleared 4.5 strikeouts in just four of his 12 outings in 2024, and he struck out just two Houston batters across five innings in his first outing against the Stros this season. 

Overall, Canning ranks in just the 13th percentile in strikeout percentage this season, so I don’t see him racking up a huge number on this prop against the least strikeout prone offense in the league.

The Orioles and Mariners begin a measuring stick matchup between two teams jockeying for American League postseason positioning.

The Mariners have jumped out to the lead in the AL West, but aren't viewed on the level as the likes of the Orioles just yet, can George Kirby change the view of this Seattle team with a strong outing at home in the opening matchup of this July series?

Here's the odds and our best bet for Tuesday's matchup with odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.

Orioles vs. Mariners Odds, Run Line and Total 

Run Line

• Orioles: -1.5 (+146)
• Mariners: +1.5 (-178)

Moneyline

• Orioles: -112
• Mariners: -104

Total: 7 (Over -110/Under -110)

Orioles vs. Mariners Probable Pitchers

• Orioles: Grayson Rodriguez (9-3, 3.72 ERA)
• Mariners: George Kirby (7-5, 3.35 ERA)

Orioles vs. Mariners How to Watch

• Date: Monday, July 1
• Time: 9:40 p.m. EST
• Venue: T-Mobile Park
• How to watch (TV): MASN2
• Orioles Record: 53-31
• Mariners Record: 47-39

Orioles vs. Mariners Key Players to Watch

Baltimore Orioles

Gunnar Henderson: Firmly in the mix for the AL MVP, Henderson actually leads the big leagues in FanGraphs WAR metric this season, playing a premium position at shortstop while crushing the ball. The shortstop is hitting .288 with 26 home runs with 58 RBI’s for the elite Orioles offense. He has been timely, dangerous and incredibly efficient. 

Seattle Mariners

Julio Rodriguez: The Mariners offense has floundered this season, and J-Rod hasn’t played to his MVP standard that he is held to. He is a plus defender, but is hitting only .247 this season with seven home runs and 29 runs batted in. For Seattle to be taken as a serious contender in the crowded American League, Rodriguez needs to find his swing. 

Orioles vs. Mariners Prediction and Pick

With two first place teams meeting, its fair to note the gap in overall team quality between the Orioles, who bolster an elite offense with a deep pitching rotation, and the Mariners, who have been able to lean on simply its pitching staff to offset a poor offense this season. 

With that in mind, the Mariners will have the better pitcher on the mound in George Kirby, who has elite command and has done a fantastic job of limiting hard contact. The right hander is in the 99th percentile in walk rate with a 72nd percentile hard-hit percentage. 

Kirby has pitched his best at home as well, posting a 2.34 ERA in seven home starts relative to a much more pedestrian 4.11 ERA on the road. 

In a game that is lined like a coin flip, I believe that the pitching edge with Kirby at home is enough to side with the home team.

Everton will not be winning the League Cup this season after they were knocked out of the competition by fellow Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday night.

David Moyes made a host of changes to his starting XI to provide some of the fringe players within the squad with an opportunity to shine against a top-flight side.

Unfortunately, for the Scottish head coach, those players did not step up to show that they deserve more minutes in actual Premier League matches moving forward.

Summer signing Thierno Barry started up front and was substituted at half-time after the team failed to create a single ‘big chance’ for him to find the back of the net, per Sofascore.

The French centre-forward, who is yet to score his first goal for the Toffees, was far from the only player who failed to take his chance to shine against Wolves.

As well as Barry, Tyler Dibling was another one of the summer signings who came into the starting line-up and did not do enough to keep his place in the team.

Why Tyler Dibling should be dropped

The Toffees splashed out a significant fee of £40m to sign the 19-year-old attacking midfielder from relegated Southampton during the summer transfer window, but it was unlikely that he was going to make an instant impact at the Hill Dickinson.

Dibling scored two goals and did not register a single assist in 30 appearances in the Premier League with the Saints during the 2024/25 campaign, per Sofascore, which shows that Everton were signing him for his potential, rather than any proven quality.

The teenage whiz also scored two goals in two matches in the FA Cup for Southampton last season, but he was unable to step up in the League Cup for the Blues on Tuesday.

Dibling was selected to start on the right flank, coming in for Iliman Ndiaye, and did not offer enough at the top end of the pitch to suggest that he should keep his place for the clash with West Ham United on Monday.

The left-footed forward ended his time on the pitch without a shot on target or a chance created to show for his efforts, as his team lost without scoring a goal, per Sofascore, which shows that he did not have any meaningful impact in the final third.

As you can see in the table above, Dibling did work hard to put himself about defensively, competing in 14 duels, and tried to make things happen by taking on opposition defenders with the ball.

Unfortunately, he was ineffective with the ball at his feet, as evidenced by the opposition winning the ball off him in four of his six attempted dribbles. That led to him being subbed off for Ndiaye just before the hour mark, and is why he should be dropped from the XI for the game against the Hammers.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Dibling, however, was not the least impressive performer on the pitch for the Toffees on the night, as Tim Iroegbunam showed why he should never start against top-flight opposition.

Why Tim Iroegbunam should never start for Everton

Since signing from Aston Villa in the summer of 2024, the English central midfielder has started in just one win against a Premier League side for Everton.

That includes one appearance in the cup and eight starts in the Premier League for the Toffees in that time, which shows that he has had plenty of chances to help his side to more wins.

Whilst Iroegbunam was not the sole reason why Everton failed to win most of those nine matches, it is a worrying pattern that is underpinned by some dismal performances from the former Villans academy graduate.

As you can see in the table above, the Toffees have won one and lost six of his nine starts against top-flight opponents since his move to the club last year, conceding a whopping 19 goals in those matches.

It is a dismal run of results for the 22-year-old midfielder and does not suggest that he is ready to control the engine room for Moyes, which was backed up by his performance against Wolves on Tuesday night.

The Athletic’s Paddy Boyland criticised Iroegbunam’s “sloppy” play in possession that gifted the ball back to Wolves on multiple occasions, leading to attacks for the home side.

He gave the ball away ten times, per Sofascore, throughout the 90 minutes, more than Dibling’s eight, despite not attempting a single cross or long pass, which meant that his short passing was far too sloppy for a central midfielder.

The Liverpool Echo handed him a player rating of 5/10 for his performance, noting that he failed to impose himself on the game, and even that may have been a tad generous as the midfielder failed to impress on or off the ball in the middle of the park.

Despite playing as a holding midfielder, Iroegbunam made fewer defensive contributions than Dibling. The winger made two clearances, one block, two tackles, and one interception, whilst the midfielder matched that bar the block. This shows that he was slightly less effective out of possession than a forward player.

On the ball, as aforementioned, he was sloppy and did not help to control the middle of the park for the Toffees, which contributed to the home side’s comfortable win on the night.

Worse than Tarkowski: 5/10 Everton man "was a difficult watch" vs Wolves

Everton were dumped out of the Carabao Cup after a 2-0 defeat by Wolves at Molineux.

By
Angus Sinclair

Sep 24, 2025

Therefore, Iroegbunam showed why he should never start for the Toffees unless injuries force Moyes into selecting him, because the club’s results when he started have been abysmal and his performance on Tuesday night was not far from abysmal.

It's been a drama-filled week for MLS, with playoff madness, coaching changes and debate over MVP and other league awards

We're basically half way through the first round of MLS playoffs, and so much has happened. As a recap: Inter Miami beat Nashville comfortably in the first of their best of three. Philadelphia needed penalties to get past Chicago. San Diego almost threw it away against Portland – despite being a far superior side. 

Then, on Monday, two coaches – New York Red Bulls' Sandro Schwarz and Colorado Rapids' Chris Armas – were dismissed and third seems set to be rehired at his former club. Minnesota and Seattle tried their best to score against each other, with the former side winning the first game despite putting three shots on target across 120 minutes. 

And it will only continue from here. LAFC and Son Heung-Min are prepped for a postseason run. There are seven coaching vacancies to fill. Say what you will about the three-game first-round format, but it yields plenty of drama. MLS playoff season is mad, but it is also, for that reason, immense fun.

There are also conversations about Messi to be had here. He extended his stay at Miami through 2028 and seems favored for a second-straight MVP. But should there be some doubt, given the strong play of Anders Dreyer at expansion side San Diego? And did Tristan Blackmon deserve Defensive Player of the Year?

GOAL US writers check in on the state of MLS in the latest edition of… The Rondo.  

Getty Images SportWho has impressed in the playoffs, and who has struggled?

Tom Hindle: Vancouver were excellent. They are a total mismatch for Dallas, but you can only beat what's in front of you, and the Canadian side got the job done in style. Book them for a comfortable first-round win. Miami were surprisingly comfortable, too, and more controlled than we have seen them in ages. Philly didn't set the world alight, though, which doesn't do wonders for the Supporters' Shield curse propaganda. 

Ryan Tolmich: All six home teams have, so far, held serve, so nothing to get to panicky about yet. If anything, this seemed a chance for the Portland Timbers to steal one in San Diego, given Hirving Lozano's absence. Instead, they blew their chance by having a player sent off, and that's probably that for them.

Alex Labidou: Inter Miami weren’t exciting, but they were effective in Game 1. That’s a scary thought because in last season’s playoffs it appeared as if they weren’t particularly good at the little things and Atlanta took full advantage. If they keep on focusing on being mistake free and smart, they could finally live up to the hype. On the other hand, one would expect Philadelphia to be more dominant. Yes, they’re up against an upstart Chicago Fire team led by Gregg Berhalter. But the Union were at home and are the Supporters' Shield holders. This was their chance to signal title intent, but they fell flat.

AdvertisementIMGANWere dismissals fair? And which coaching vacancy is most appealing?

TH: The Schwarz one feels harsh. He's a good coach, and sure, the Red Bulls missed the playoffs. But it's a shame that he didn't get the chance to retool and have another go. Then again, the whole thing about Red Bull organization is that they have succession plans in place, so the move itself isn't an immense surprise. In terms of openings, it's gotta be LAFC, even if it has "Ange Postecoglou" written all over it. 

RT: When more than half the league makes the playoffs, there are obvious consequences to missing them, particularly if you're a team expected to be among that group. Both the Rapids and Red Bulls are imperfect teams, but both were strong enough to make the postseason. Changes had to be made. As for the vacancies, Atlanta is the clear leader there, given the resources, while the same can be said for LAFC's soon-to-be-open role once Steve Cherundolo steps down after this season.

AL: The way the seasons played out for both the Red Bulls and Rapids were more surprising. Neither made the playoffs, so it was unlikely for either to stay. League wide, the LAFC job is the most intriguing, while New England offers the most potential – if they can improve their transfer track record.

ImagnWas Tristan Blackmon the right choice as defender of the year?

TH: Sure? There hasn't been a single standout defender in MLS who you can claim has been a legit difference maker this year. But Blackmon has been solid, and Vancouver are a good football team. The logic adds up.

RT: Sounds about right. He has been fantastic all year and, in a big picture sense, the club as a whole deserves recognition for their achievements. Blackmon is far from the only standout, as the Whitecaps have constructed a true team. The defender, though, is more than worthy of the nod after taking a huge leap forward this season.

AL: Mostly, yes, and he’s a testament to perseverance with a breakout year at age 29. Yet, Philadelphia's Jakob Glesnes could have easily won this award as well. There is a case for Co-DOYs here.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

ImagnWho should win coach of the year?

TH: Bradley Carnell, by an absolute mile (with apologies to the always excellent Brian Schmetzer and surprise candidate Jesper Sorensen). 

RT: There are two candidates: Carnell and Sorensen. Both helped their teams wildly overperform expectations, and both have legitimate hopes for MLS Cup. Unfortunately for Sorensen, his case gets dinged, unfairly, because his club spent on Thomas Muller while the Union continued to do Union things. It's not fair, but it likely gets Carnell the nod in what is, otherwise, a pretty even race.

AL: In any other season, this award would have to go to Mikey Varas. But considering Philly’s dominance with a limited payroll and no major star additions, this has to go Carnell.

After getting off to a solid start in the Premier League, newly-promoted Leeds United have reportedly set their sights on signing a Championship star for Daniel Farke.

Where Leeds should prioritise in 2026

Whilst it has been a solid start, there’s still plenty of work for Leeds to do if they want to maintain their Premier League status at the first time of asking, and the January transfer window will play a major part in that.

Having missed out on a number of top targets in the summer, the Whites would be wise to make up for lost time and add the finishing touches to Farke’s squad when the winter window opens.

Who arrives, if any, will be the big question.

Reports have namedropped the likes of Jens Petter Hauge in the last week, and there’s no doubt that the Bodo/Glimt winger would be an interesting addition.

Revealing the news, transfer reporter Graeme Bailey told Leeds United News that those at Elland Road have set their sights on signing the 20-year-old.

If any reinforcements are to arrive, then it’s likely Farke’s attack receives a much-needed boost.

The German made his desire for attacking talent no secret in the summer, but watched on as Leeds failed to get his top targets over the line.

Although Leeds will not be expected to break their transfer record in January, they should look to add some decisive arrivals in pursuit of safety, before splashing the cash in the summer.

Leeds now eye January move to sign "sensational" Champions League winger

His star is growing all the time.

ByHenry Jackson Oct 17, 2025

By securing their Premier League place for a second-consecutive campaign, they’d put themselves in a strong position to finally welcome an attacking midfielder that they’ve been chasing.

Leeds now eyeing 2026 Gustavo Hamer move

According to journalist Pete O’Rourke, Leeds are eyeing a summer move to sign Gustavo Hamer from Sheffield United, with a January deal unlikely as things stand.

Having been interested in the Sheffield United star in the summer, Leeds could finally get their man one year on.

If the Blades fail to earn promotion to the top flight, then keeping hold of a player as talented as Hamer would prove to be even tougher, especially if Leeds look to take advantage of the fact that he shares an agent with Wilfried Gnonto.

Praised as “perfect” by Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder for how he handled transfer speculation in the past, it will be interesting to see just how much Hamer pushes for an exit if his side continue to struggle in the Championship and Leeds come calling again.

The 28-year-old has been a mainstay of Wilder’s midfield, starting nearly every second tier game for them so far, and he was equally imperative last season.

Hamer bagged an incredible 18 goal contributions in 44 Championship appearances in 24/25, playing a key role as the Blades only just missed out on Premier League promotion, courtesy of a play-off final loss to Sunderland at Wembley.