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For the Vancouver Whitecaps, the stakes of Sunday's match against visiting LAFC are pretty straightforward.
"It's very important," manager Vanni Sartini said. "Unfortunately we didn't do well in the last couple of games. So now this game became a game that can make us get back in the top seven and avoid the first round of the playoffs and to get back basically where we have been for 33 games. So we want to be there at the end."
While Vancouver (13-11-8, 47 points) already has assured itself a playoff spot, the Whitecaps can vault back above Minnesota United into seventh place in the Western Conference with a victory.
That would put Sartini's squad directly into round one rather than in a single-elimination wild-card match against Portland.
But the Whitecaps will be shorthanded in their attempt to earn a result, with MLS MVP candidate Ryan Gauld among the players to miss the affair due to an international call-up. Attacker Fafa Picault and holding midfielder Andres Cubas also will miss out, though team scoring leader Brian White should be available.
LAFC (17-8-7, 58 points) also will have down numbers, with team-leading scorer Denis Bouanga and promising teenage prospect David Martinez among those absent. That duo has combined for four goals and an assist during the Black-and-Gold's three-match winning streak.
Cristian Olivera is also on international duty, which means the offensive burden will fall on France's all-time leading international goal scorer Olivier Giroud and versatile Polish attacker Mateusz Bogusz. It's the latter who has more track record at the MLS level, with Giroud still looking for his first MLS goal since signing this summer.
LAFC, sitting in second place, still could finish first in the conference if they win their final two games and the West-leading LA Galaxy lose their season finale. But head coach Steve Cherundolo appears to be more focused on consolidating his club's current second-seed position.
"I'm not sure it's an extra motivator," Cherundolo said of topping the West. "It's there. It's part of the reality of the makeup of the situation. But winning games at this point of the season is motivation enough. And also to secure up the second spot."
More must-reads:
- Arsenal's old guard delivers victory after a summer of intense change
- Packers HC bothered by rookie's 'unacceptable' behavior during preseason game
- The 'Most multi-HR games by MLB team' quiz
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Packers HC bothered by rookie's 'unacceptable' behavior during preseason game
Green Bay Packers right tackle Anthony Belton had a forgettable first half against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday when he committed five penalties in the first half. The rookie was called for a false start, two illegal formation penalties, a face mask and unnecessary roughness. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur was peeved by the unnecessary roughness penalty, which the second-round pick was called for when he pushed Colts cornerback Johnathan Edwards from behind after the play. Per Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, LaFleur "let Belton have it" at halftime. Following the game, LaFleur explained to the media why that behavior bothers him — it hurts the team. “That’s the one that really bothers me because that is — I mean, they all bother me — but you can’t be getting personal fouls because that really hurts the team, puts you in a really tough position,” LaFleur said. “That is completely unacceptable in my mind. I appreciate the effort that he plays with and I thought he did a really nice job … I love the effort. It’s just, you got to be smart in those situations.” Belton's penalties were costly for the Packers. One of the illegal formation flags took away what would have been a touchdown pass from quarterback Taylor Elgersma to tight end Ben Sims. The 15-yard penalty on the unnecessary roughness call turned a manageable 3rd-and-5 into a 3rd-and-20. Saturday's preseason game is a learning experience for the 2023 third-team All-ACC offensive lineman. The Packers can't have Belton on the field if he's going to commit that many penalties, and the unnecessary roughness mistake would have been easy to avoid.
TSN Analyst Shoots Down Bold Canadiens-Ducks Trade Idea
Speculation swirled this week about a possible blockbuster trade between the Montreal Canadiens and Anaheim Ducks, but TSN/Forbes legal analyst Eric Macramalla was quick to pour cold water on the idea. The proposed deal centered around swapping top prospects: Montreal defenseman David Reinbacher and Anaheim forward Mason McTavish. On the surface, the trade has appeal. Reinbacher, a right-shot blueliner with legitimate top-pairing potential, would give the Ducks the kind of defensive cornerstone they’ve been searching for. Meanwhile, McTavish could provide the Canadiens with a much-needed second-line center behind Nick Suzuki, filling a hole that’s lingered for several seasons. But as Macramalla pointed out, the trade simply doesn’t add up for Montreal. Moving Reinbacher would leave the Canadiens dangerously thin on the right side of their defense, an area that already lacks long-term depth. While McTavish would be a strong addition, sacrificing a potential top-pairing defenseman is a price too steep for GM Kent Hughes to consider at this stage of the rebuild. Ultimately, while the concept may generate fan debate, Macramalla stressed that the Canadiens aren’t in a position to weaken their blue line just to address their center depth. For now, the deal “won’t work.” Fan Feedback: A Split Reaction Canadiens fans were quick to weigh in on the trade chatter, with opinions ranging from firm rejection to cautious interest. Some backed Macramalla’s stance, with one fan suggesting Montreal could use “other assets the Ducks would like” and another noting the Habs’ young defense core “will be a strength of the team for the next decade.” The Curfew Boys Podcast called it “1 step forward, 2 steps back.” Others saw more merit. One account argued he’d, “Do it one for one,” calling McTavish “more established at this point.” Another echoed that sentiment: “McT is a proven player, make the trade!!” Skeptics highlighted Reinbacher’s lack of NHL experience, and others questioned his durability. Meanwhile, Gord of Thunder took a playful shot at the concept, invoking The Princess Bride: “You never trade a defenseman with top pairing ability for a second line player — it’s inconceivable.” Even creative alternatives emerged, with one fan proposing a three-way deal involving Calgary. The verdict? While many fans respect McTavish’s value, most agree that giving up Reinbacher would leave the Canadiens with a hole too big to fill.
Proposed Arena Deal Puts Brady Tkachuk in Different Jersey
The Ottawa Senators’ long-awaited push to move downtown has revived more than just arena talk—it has also sparked speculation about the future of captain Brady Tkachuk. On episode 400 of the DFO Rundown podcast, NHL analyst Jason Gregor suggested that the timeline for the Senators’ new home at LeBreton Flats may not line up with Tkachuk’s contract, potentially influencing whether he stays in Ottawa. Tkachuk’s deal, an eight-year, $57.56 million pact signed in 2021, runs through 2028. By then, the Senators’ proposed arena—still facing construction and approval hurdles—might only just be opening. According to reports from the Ottawa Citizen, the building is expected to take at least two years to complete once the land is ready. That mismatch in timing could prove crucial. “Is that building done in three years? Probably not,” Gregor said. “So I’m going to actually sell [on him staying]. By the time that building is done, he’ll have moved on. I get a sense that he might be going to the USA.” Which Team Would Brady Tkachuk Join? It’s key to point out that Brady has never said he has intentions on leaving Ottawa. He’s excited about the upcoming season and working with the team to get better and become a legitimate playoff contender. His contract also includes a full no-move clause. It’s the control over any trade scenario he has that makes this interesting. In the past, he’s been loosely linked to the New York Rangers. In December, “The Post’s Larry Brooks reports the Blueshirts have been in trade talks with multiple teams — with Senators forward Brady Tkachuk their primary target.” The article added, “The 25-year-old Ottawa captain would bring a jolt to the lifeless Rangers lineup and in multiple ways.” Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen later ruled out there being any truth to the speculation. Of course, there is also the Florida Panthers, where Brady’s brother Matthew plays. Matthew loves Florida and is signed until 2030. Could bringing in the younger brother be one of the things that gets both players to sign team-friendly deals and extensions? The Senators have made it clear that Tkachuk remains central to their long-term plans, but without a finished arena to market as a franchise reset, Gregor wonders if Ottawa could face a challenge convincing its captain to stick around for the next chapter.
The Dolphins May Have a Jaylen Wright Problem
The Dolphins May Have a Jaylen Wright Problem Coming out of the University of Tennessee, Jaylen Wright looked to have all of the tools necessary to be successful in the NFL. Speed, power, hard worker, and athletic. His rookie season didn’t go as planned, though. In April 2024, Miami traded a future 3rd round pick to get a pick in Round 4 to select Wright. He entered the season on the depth chart behind Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane. Quickly, though, Mostert fell out of favor with his fumbling problem and sank on the depth chart. But Wright didn’t get many opportunities. Only 68 carries for 249 rushing yards. Many felt he wasn’t utilized enough; now looking back in hindsight, maybe the Dolphins knew something the fans didn’t. It’s 2025 now, training camp is about 4 weeks old, and Wright has yet to stand out, whether in practices or in preseason games. The reports from the training camp practices indicate that he is a non-factor, not making any plays. In the first preseason game against the Chicago Bears, on the opening series with the starters in, he was stuffed three plays in a row at the goalline and was unable to punch it in the endzone. This past Saturday vs the Lions, he had four carries for three yards and a fumble (which Miami did recover). Needless to say, that’s not good. You don’t want to read too much into preseason games, but that is what we have to judge these players on before the regular season, and the results so far aren’t great. And it’s more than just the stats or the training camp reports. Just watch the two preseason games, and it seems there is just a lack of sizzle, so to speak, when the ball is in Wright’s hands. You don’t see a burst, nor any explosiveness. He looks like a JAG (just a guy). On the flip side, Dolphins rookie running back Ollie Gordon is all sizzle. He is all burst. He has shown explosiveness in his running of the football over the past two preseason games. The polar opposite of Jaylen Wright. And, the constant here is that both running backs are running behind the same poor backup offensive linemen. Butch Barry, the Dolphins’ offensive line coach, along with Mike McDaniel, has played the starters very little, and Miami’s lack of depth on the offensive line isn’t great. So neither back has outstanding blocking in front of them. On paper, Jaylen Wright should be hitting his stride in year two and taking on a larger role in this offense. Especially with the news that De’Von Achane will be sidelined for a few days or weeks with a soft tissue injury of some sort. But it’s not happening, and if anything, Ollie Gordon may be passing him on the depth chart really soon. Again, it’s training camp and the preseason, so you don’t want to read too much into things, but right now, if Jaylen Wright were a stock, you would be selling it. Hopefully, he is able to find his game and turn things around, because he is a great kid and has all of the physical talent you want in a player.
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