MLS: Hoops Lock Up Playoff Berth; Dynamo Eliminated; Fire Gain Road Draw At Nashville

 Two games were contested in Major League Soccer on Saturday.

At Frisco, Texas:

Franco Jara scored twice (19', 27') as FC Dallas locked up a playoff berth by dominating the visiting Houston Dynamo 3-0 and eliminating their down-state rivals from playoff contention, becoming the first club to gain that dubious distinction.

At Nashville, Tennessee:

Boris Sekulic's equalizer at 42 minute lifted the Chicago Fire to a 1-1 home draw with Nashville SC.

Daniel Rios scored for the hosts in the 28th minute.

Another Stampeding Win For Red Bulls

 At Wals-Siezenheim, Austria:

Noah Okafor produced a hat trick (3', 34', 57') while Sekou Koita added a double (74', PK-83') as FC Red Bull Salzburg destroyed visiting Swarovski Tirol 5-0 in Saturday Austrian Bundesliga action.

Mattress Makers Top Osasuna On Road

 At Pamplona, Spain:

Joao Felix scored twice on Saturday (PK-43', 69') as Atletico Madrid posted a 3-1 Spanish Primera Division road win over Osasuna.

Ajax Overpower Fortuna Sittard

 At Amsterdam, Netherlands:

Davy Klaassen scored twice (32', 45') as Ajax Amsterdam dominated visiting Fortuna Sittard 5-2 in Saturday Dutch Eredivisie action.

Road Win For Bayern At Billygoats Expense

 At Cologne, Germany:

Serge Gnabry's game-winning goal (45'+1) enabled Bayern Munich to top FC Cologne 2-1 on the road in Saturday German Bundesliga action.

GBS Gets The Boot From The Galaxy

 The Galaxy are having one of their worst seasons and may have sealed their coach's fate with their poor performance against the Timbers in Portland this past Wednesday.

Former Houston and San Jose head coach Dominic Kinnear will serve as interim head coach the rest of the season.

Wolves Blank Eagles On Friday

 At Wolverhampton, England:

Rayan Ait Nouri (18') and Daniel Podence (27') each scored once in the first half-hour on Friday as Wolverhampton Wanderers blanked visiting Crystal Palace 2-0 in English Premier League action as Wolves found themselves level on points with Everton and Liverpool atop the EPL standings (though the Toffees and Reds both have superior goal differential compared to that of Wolverhampton).

Europa League: Thursday Wins For Gunners, Slavia Prague; Benfica; 'Gers, PSV, Ten-Man Napoli, AZ, Foxes, Rossoneri, Yellow Submarine, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Antwerp, Red Star Belgrade

 24 games were contested at Europa League group-stage play continued.

GROUP A:

At Rome:

AS Roma and visiting CSKA Sofia battled to a 0-0 stalemate.

At Cluj-Napoca, Romania:

Christian Fassnacht's equalizer in the 69th minute lifted BSC Young Boys to a 1-1 road deadlock with CFR Cluj.

Mario Rondon scored for the Brakesmen in the 62nd minute.

Group A Standings:

1. CFR Cluj (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 4)

2. AS Roma (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 4)

3. BSC Young Boys (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 1)

4. CSKA Sofia (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 1)

GROUP B:

At London:

Edward Nketiah (42'), Joseph Willock (44'), and Nicolas Pepe (46') each scored once as Arsenal dominated visiting Dundalk 3-0.

At Molde, Norway:

Anthony Omoijuanfo scored the only goal of the match in the 65th minute as Molde FK defeated visiting Rapid Vienna 1-0.

Group B Standings:

1. Arsenal (GP: 2; GD: +4; PTS: 6)

2. Molde FK (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 6)

3. Rapid Vienna (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 0)

4. Dundalk (GP: 2; GD: -4; PTS: 0)

GROUP C:

At Prague, Czech Republic:

Peter Olayinka scored the lone goal of the contest in the 80th minute as Slavia Prague defeated visiting Bayer Leverkusen 1-0.

At Nice, France:

Amine Gouiri's goal in the 23rd minute lifted OGC Nice to a 1-0 home victory over Hapoel Be'er Sheva.

Group C Standings:

1. Bayer Leverkusen (GP: 2; GD: +3; PTS: 3)

2. Hapoel Be'er Sheva (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 3)

3. Slavia Prague (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 3)

4. OGC Nice (GP: 2; GD: -3; PTS: 3)

GROUP D:

At Lisbon:

Pizzi scored twice (PK-49', 76') as SL Benfica dominated visiting Standard Liege 3-0.

At Glasgow, Scotland:

Alfredo Morelos scored the lone goal of the match to carry Rangers to a 1-0 home victory over Lech Poznan.

Group D Standings:

1. SL Benfica (GP: 2; GD: +5; PTS: 6)

2. Rangers (GP: 2; GD: +3; PTS: 6)

3. Lech Poznan (GP: 2; GD: -3; PTS: 0)

4. Standard Liege (GP: 2; GD: -5; PTS: 0)

GROUP E:

At Strovolos, Cyprus:

Donyell Malen scored twice (40', 90'+2) as PSV Eindhoven upended Omonia 2-1 on the road.

At Granada, Spain:

The match between Granada and visiting PAOK FC ended in a 0-0 draw.

Group E Standings:

1. Granada (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 4)

2. PSV Eindhoven (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 3)

3. PAOK FC (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 2)

4. Omonia (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 1)

GROUP F:

At San Sebastian, Spain:

Matteo Politano's goal at 56 minute carried ten-man Napoli to a 1-0 road win over Real Sociedad.

At Alkmaar, Netherlands:

Albert Gudmundsson scored twice (20', 60') as AZ Alkmaar dominated visiting Rijeka 4-1.

Group F Standings:

1. AZ Alkmaar (GP: 2; GD: +4; PTS: 6)

2. Napoli (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 3)

3. Real Sociedad (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 3)

4. Rijeka (GP: 2; GD: -4; PTS: 0)

NOTE: Napoli defeated Real Sociedad 3-0 on Thursday in the first of two group-stage contests between the clubs.

GROUP G:

At Athens:

Hamza Choudhury scored the winning goal in the 39th minute as Leicester City defeated AEK Athens 2-1 on the road.

At Zaporizhia, Ukraine (due to warlike conditions in eastern Ukraine):

Early goals from Paulinho (4') and Nico Gaitan (11') enabled Sporting Braga to hold off Zorya Luhansk 2-1 on the road.

Group G Standings:

1. Leicester City (GP: 2; GD: +4; PTS: 6)

2. SC Braga (GP: 2; GD: +4; PTS: 6)

3. Zorya Luhansk (GP: 2; GD: -4; PTS: 0)

4. AEK Athens (GP: 2; GD: -4; PTS: 0)

NOTES:  Leicester City has fewer disciplinary points than SC Braga (2-5); Zonya Luhansk have fewer disciplinary points than AEK Athens (4-6).

GROUP H:

At Milan, Italy:

Brahim Diaz (24'), Rafael Leao (57'), and Jose Dalot (67') each scored once as AC Milan dominated visiting Sparta Prague 3-0.

At Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France:

Mehmet Celik (67') and Nanitamo Ikone (75') each scored once as LOSC Lille came back from two goals down to gain a 2-2 home draw with Celtic.

Mohamed Elyounoussi scored twice (28', 33') for the Bhoys.

Group H Standings:

1. AC Milan (GP: 2; GD: +5; PTS: 6)

2. LOSC Lille (GP: 2; GD: +3; PTS: 4)

3. Celtic (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 1)

4. Sparta Prague (PG: 2; GD: -6; PTS: 0)

GROUP I:

At Istanbul, Turkey (due to ongoing Nagorno-Karabakh conflict):

Paco Alcacer scored twice (84', PK-90'+5) as Villarreal battled back to knock off Qarabag 3-1 on the road.

At Sivas, Turkey:

Dor Peretz scored the game winner in the 74th minute as Maccabbi Tel Aviv defeated Sivasspor 2-1 on the road.

Group I Standings:

1. Villarreal (GP: 2; GD: +4; PTS: 6)

2. Maccabi Tel Aviv (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 6)

3. Sivasspor (GP: 2; GD: -3; PTS: 0)

4. Qarabag (GP: 2; GD: -3; PTS: 0)

GROUP J:

At Linz, Austria:

Olivier Verdon's own goal in the 56th minute proved decisive as LASK defeated visiting Ludogorets Razgrad 4-3, spoiling a hat-trick performance (15', 67', PK-74') by the Eagles' Elvis Manu.

At Antwerp, Belgium:

Lior Rafaelov scored the only goal of the match in the 29th minute as Royal Antwerp knocked off visiting Tottenham Hotspur 1-0.

Group J Standings:

1. Royal Antwerp FC (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 6)

2. Tottenham Hotspur (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 3)

3. LASK (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 3)

4. Ludogorets Razgrad (GP; 2; GD: -2; PTS: 0)

NOTE:  Tottenham Hotspur defeated LASK 3-0 at home on October 22.

GROUP K:

At Moscow:

CSKA Moscow and guests Dinamo Zagreb played to a 0-0 deadlock.

At Rotterdam, Netherlands:

Michael Liendl's hat trick (PK-4', PK-13', 60') helped Wolfsberger AC dominate Feyenoord Rotterdam 4-1 on the road.

Group K Standings:

1. Wolfsberger AC (GP: 2; GD: +3; PTS: 4)

2. CSKA Moscow (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS; 2)

3. Dinamo Zagreb (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 2)

4. Feyenoord Rotterdam (GP: 2; GD: -3; PTS: 1)

GROUP L:

At Ghent, Belgium:

Ishak Belfodil (PK-35'), Florian Grillitsch (52'), Mijat Gacinovic (73'), and Christoph Baumgartner (90'+4) each scored once as TSG Hoffenheim dominated KAA Gent 4-1 on the road.

At Belgrade, Serbia:

El Fardou Mohamed Ben Nabouhane scored twice (7', 22') as Red Star Belgrade demolished visiting Slovan Liberec 4-1.

Group L Standings:

1. TSG 1899 Hoffenheim (GP: 2; GD: +5; PTS: 6)

2. Red Star Belgrade (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 3)

3. Slovan Liberec (GP: 2; GD: -3; PTS: 3)

4. KAA Gent (GP: 2; GD: -4; PTS: 0)

NOTE:  Red Star Belgrade defeated visiting Slovan Liberec 4-1 in the first of two group-stage games between the clubs on Thursday.

MLS: Revs, Red Bulls, Nashville, Sporting KC, Timbers, LAFC, Clinch Playoff Berths

Eleven games were played in Wednesday in Major League Soccer. 

At Harrison, New Jersey:  

Aaron Long came through for the New York Red Bulls in the 89th minute as they defeated the New England Revolution 1-0 at home as both clubs clinched playoff berths.

At Cincinnati:

Roger Espinoza scored the only goal of the match in the 57th minute as Sporting Kansas City reclaimed sole possession of first place in the Western Conference----and clinched a playoff berth in the process---by defeating FC Cincinnati 1-0 on the road in the Orange and Blue's final game at Nippert Stadium (they will be moving next season to West End Stadium).

At  Orlando, Florida:

Daryl Dike (29'), Chris Mueller (45'+2), Tesho Akindele (60'), and Mathues Aias (90'+2) each scored once as Orlando City dominated fading Atlanta United 4-1 at home.

At Chester, Pennsylvania:

Corey Burke scored the game winner at 65 minutes as the Philadelphia Union moved into top spot in both the Eastern Conference standings and the race for the Supporters' Shield after their 2-1 home win over the Chicago Fire.

At East Hartford, Connecticut (due to travel and quarantine restrictions stemming from COVID-19):

Jesus Medina's goal in the 51st minute provided all the scoring as New York City downed Toronto FC 1-0 on the road.

At Washington:

Julian Gressel scored the game's lone goal in the 32nd minute as DC United continued their longshot push for a playoff berth by knocking off the visiting Columbus Crew 1-0.

At Saint Paul, Minnesota:

Lalas Abubakar's own goal in the 89th minute proved to be the game winner for Minnesota United as the Loons upended the visiting Colorado Rapids 2-1.

At Frisco, Texas:

Ryan Hollingshead scored the game winner in the 82nd minute as FC Dallas downed visiting Inter Miami 2-1.

At Portland, Oregon:

Jaroslaw Niezgoda scored twice (6', 19') as the Portland Timbers clinched their fourth consecutive playoff berth by dominating the visiting Los Angeles Galaxy 5-2.

At Los Angeles:

Diego Rossi (9') and Eddie Segura (22') each delivered a goal and helped delivered a playoff berth to the Los Angeles Football Club as they defeated the visiting Houston Dynamo 2-1.

At San Jose, California:

Chris Wondolowski scored twice (16', 74') as the San Jose Earthquakes blanked visiting Real Salt Lake 2-0.

MLS STANDINGS:

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

1. x-Philadelphia (GP: 21; GD: +23; PTS: 44)

2. x-Toronto FC (GP: 21; GD: +7; PTS: 41)

3. x-Columbus (GP: 20; GD: +14; PTS: 35)

4. x-Orlando City SC (GP: 20; GD: +14; PTS: 35)

5. x-New York City FC (GP: 21; GD: +8; PTS: 33)

6. x-New York Red Bulls (GP: 21; GD: +8; PTS: 29)

7. x-New England (GP: 21; GD: +2; PTS: 29)

8. x-Nashville SC (GP: 20; GD: +2; PTS: 28)

9.    Montreal (GP: 21; GD: -10; PTS: 23)

10.  Inter Miami (GP: 21; GD: -10; PTS: 21)

11.  Chicago (GP: 20; GD: -5; PTS: 21)

12.  DC United (GP: 21; GD: -14; PTS: 21)

13.  Atlanta United FC (GP: 21; GD: -8; PTS: 19)

14.  FC Cincinnati (GP: 21; GD: -21; PTS: 21)

NOTES:  With Columbus and Orlando City level on points with 35, the Crew have won more games than the Lions (10-9); with Inter Miami, Chicago, and DC United all level on points with 21, the Herons have won more games (6) than the Fire and DC (5 each); Chicago has the superior goal differential vis a viv DC United (-5 to -14).

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

1.   x-Kansas City (GP: 20; GD: +11; PTS: 36)

2.   x-Seattle (GP: 19; GD: +20; PTS: 35)

3.   x-Portland (GP: 20; GD: +11; PTS: 35)

4.   x-Los Angeles Football Club (GP: 20; GD: +9; PTS: 31)

5.      Minnesota United FC (GP: 19; GD: +7; PTS: 30)

6.      FC Dallas (GP: 19; GD: +3; PTS: 28)

7.      San Jose (GP: 21; GD: -14; PTS: 27)

8.     Vancouver (GP: 21; GD: -19; PTS: 24)

9.     Real Salt Lake (GP: 20; GD: -7; PTS: 22)

10.   Houston (GP: 21; GD: -6; PTS: 21)

11.   Colorado (GP: 19; GD: 0; PTS: 19)

12.   Los Angeles Galaxy (GP: 19; GD: -17; PTS: 18)

NOTE:  With Seattle and Portland level on points (35) and wins (10), the Sounders have the superior goal differential (+20, compared to the Timbers' +11).

x-Clinched berth in MLS Cup Playoffs

UEFA Champions League, Group H: Shutout Wins For PSG, Red Devils

 Wednesday saw two UEFA Champions League Group H matches.

At Istanbul, Turkey:

Moise Kean scored both goals (64', 79') in the final half-hour of Paris Saint-Germain's 2-0 road victory over Istanbul Basaksehir.

At Manchester, England:

Marcus Rashford produced a hat trick (74', 78', 90'+2) as Manchester United destroyed visiting RB Leipzig 5-0.

Group H Standings:

1. Manchester United (GP: 2; GD; +6; PTS: 6)

2. Paris Saint-Germain (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 3)

3. RB Leipzig (GP: 2; GD: -3; PTS: 3)

4. Instanbul Basaksehir (GP: 2; GD: -4; PTS: 0)

UEFA Champions League, Group G: Barca Blank CR 7-Less Juve In Turin; Ferencvaros And Dynamo Kiev Draw In Budapest

 Two games were contested on Wednesday in Group G of the UEFA Champions League.

At Turin, Italy:

Masour Dembele (14') and Lionel Messi (PK-90'+1) each scored once as Barcelona blanked Juventus 2-0 on the road.

At Budapest, Hungary:

Tokmac Nguen (59') and Franck Boli (90') each scored once in the second to carry Ferencvaros back from a two-goal deficit and gain a 2-2 home draw with Dynamo Kiev.

Viktor Tsyhankov (PK-28') and Carlos De Pena (41') each scored once for the Ukrainian club.

 

Group G Standings:

1. Barcelona (GP: 2; GD: +6; PTS: 6)

2. Juventus (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 3)

3. Dynamo Kiev (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 1)

4. Ferencvaros (GP: 2; GD: -4; PTS: 1)

NOTE:  Dynamo Kiev scored twice on the road in their Wednesday 2-2 draw with Ferencvaros.

UEFA Champions League, Group F: Home Win For Dortmund; Club Brugge And Lazio Draw In Belgium

 Action in Group F of the UEFA Champions League resumed on Wednesday with two games.

At Dortmund, Germany:

Jadon Sancho (PK-78') and Erling Haaland (90'+1) each scored once as Borussia Dortmund blanked visiting Zenit Saint Petersburg 2-0.

At Bruges, Belgium:

Hans Vanaken's successfully-converted penalty kick (42') lifted Club Brugge to a 1-1 home draw with Lazio.

Carlos Correa scored for the Young Eagles in the 14th minute.

Group F Standings:

1. Lazio (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 4)

2. Club Brugge (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 4)

3. Borussia Dortmund (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 3)

4. Zenit Saint Petersburg (GP: 2; GD: -3; PTS: 0)

NOTE: Lazio scored a road goal in their 1-1 draw with Club Brugge on Wednesday.

UEFA Champions League, Group E: Wednesday Wins For Chelsea, Sevilla

 Eight more games were contested in UEFA Champions League group-stage action on Wednesday, including two in Group E.

At Krasnodar, Russia:

Callum Hudson-Odoi (37'), Timo Werner (PK-76'), Hakim Ziyech (79'), and Christian Pulisic (90') each scored once as Chelsea demolished FC Krasnodar 4-0 on the road.

At Seville, Spain:

Luuk de Jong scored the only goal of Sevilla's 1-0 home victory over Rennes in the 55th minute.

Group E Standings:

1. Chelsea (GP: 2; GD: +4; PTS: 4)

2. Sevilla (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 4)

3. FC Krasnodar (GP: 2; GD: -4; PTS: 1)

4. Rennes (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 1)

NOTE: FC Krasnodar scored a road goal in their 1-1 October 20 draw with Rennes.

MLS: Road Wins For Nashville, Seattle; NYC FC, Sounders Clinch Playoff Berths

 Two games were contested in Major League Soccer on Tuesday.

At Hamilton, New Jersey (due to COVID-19-related travel on quarantine restrictions):

Randall Leal scored the only goal of the match as Nashville defeated the Montreal Impact 1-0 on the road.

As a result, New York City locked up a playoff berth for the fifth consecutive season.

At Portland, Oregon (due to COVID-19-related travel on quarantine restrictions):

Raul Ruidiaz (54') and Nicolas Lodeiro (60') each scored once as the Seattle Sounders locked up a playoff berth for the 12th straight year after they blanked the Vancouver Whitecaps 2-0 on the road.

UEFA Champions League, Group D: Reds Blank Midtjylland At Home; Ajax Blow Two-Goal Lead, Settle For Road Draw

 Two games in Group D of the UEFA Champions League were played on Tuesday.

At Liverpool, England:

Diogo Jota (55') and Mohamed Salah (PK-90'+3) each scored once as Liverpool blanked visiting FC Midtjylland 2-0.

At Bergamo, Italy:

Duvan Zapata scored twice (54', 60') as Atalanta came back from two goals down to gain a 2-2 home draw with Ajax Amsterdam.

Dusan Tadic (PK-30') and Lassima Traore (38') each delivered a goal from the Dutch club.

Group D Standings:

1. Liverpool (GP: 2; GD: +3; PTS: 6)

2. Atalanta (GP: 2; GD: +4; PTS: 4)

3. Ajax Amsterdam (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 1)

4. FC Midtjylland (GP: 2; GD: -6; PTS: 0)

UEFA Champions League, Group C: Dragons, Citizens Come Out On Top On Tuesday

 Two games in Group C of the UEFA Champions League were contested on Tuesday.

At Porto, Portugal:

Fabio Vieira (11') and Sergio Oliviera (85') each scored once as FC Porto blanked visiting Olympiacos 2-0.

At Marseilles, France:

Ferran Torres (18'), Ilkay Gundogan (76'), and Raheem Sterling (81') each scored once as Manchester City dominated Marseille 3-0 on the road.

Group C Standings:

1. Manchester City (GP: 2; GD: +5; PTS: 6)

2. FC Porto (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 3)

3. Olympiacos (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 3)

4. Marseille (GP: 2; GD: -4; PTS: 0)

NOTE:  FC Porto defeated visiting Olympiacos 2-0 on Tuesday.

UEFA Champions League, Group B: Two-Draw Tuesday

 Two games were played in the UEFA Champions League's Group B on Tuesday.

At Kiev, Ukraine (due to warlike conditions in eastern Ukraine):

Shakhtar Donetsk and visiting Inter Milan battled to a 0-0 stalemate.

At Monchengladbach, Germany:

Karim Benzema (87') and Carlos Casimiro (90'+3) scored once apiece in the final minutes as Real Madrid came from two goals down to gain a 2-2 road draw with Borussia Monchengladbach.

Marcus Thurman scored both goals (33', 58') for the hosts.

Group B Standings:

1. Shakhtar Donetsk (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 4)

2. Borussia Monchengladbach (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 2)

3. Inter Milan (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 2)

4. Real Madrid (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 1)

NOTE:  Borussia Monchengladbach scored twice on the road in their 2-2 draw with Inter Milan on October 21.

UEFA Champions League, Group A: Tuesday Wins For Bayern, Mattress Makers

 Group-stage play in the UEFA Champions League resumed on Tuesday with eight games, two of them in Group A.

At Moscow:

Joshua Kimmich scored the winning goal in the 79th minute as Bayern Munich upended Lokomotiv Moscow 2-1 on the road.

At Madrid:

Joao Felix scored twice (52', 85') as Atletico Madrid came from behind to upend visiting FC Red Bull Salzburg 3-2.

Group A Standings:

1. Bayern Munich (GP: 2; GD: +5; PTS: 6)

2. Atletico Madrid (GP: 2; GD: -3; PTS: 3)

3. Lokomotiv Moscow (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 1)

4. FC Red Bull Salzburg (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 1)

NOTE:  Lokomotiv Moscow scored two road goals in their October 21 2-2- draw with FC Red Bull Salzburg.

Rossoneri And Roma Battle To 3-3 Draw

 At Milan, Italy:

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's hat trick (2', 47', PK-79') lifted AC Milan to a 3-3 Monday Italian Serie A home draw with AS Roma.

Edin Dzeko (14'), Jordan Veretout (PK-71'), and Marash Kumbulla (84') each scored once for the guests who overcame three one-goal deficits to gain a point on the road.

MLS: Freeway Derby Set For Sunday

 At Los Angeles:

In the lone Sunday Major League Soccer contest, Danny Musovski (58') and Carlos Vela (90'+3) each scored once as the Los Angeles Football Club blanked the visiting Los Angeles Galaxy 2-0 in the latest edition of the Freeway Derby.

MLS STANDINGS:

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

1. x-Philadelphia (GP: 20; GD: +22; PTS: 41)

2. x-Toronto FC (GP: 20; GD: +8; PTS: 41)

3. x-Columbus (GP: 19; GD: +15; PTS: 35)

4. x-Orlando City SC (GP: 19; GD: +11; PTS: 32)

5.    New York City FC (GP: 20; GD: +7; PTS: 30)

6.    New England (GP: 20; GD: +3; PTS: 29)

7.    New York Red Bulls (GP: 20; GD: -1; PTS: 26)

8.    Nashville SC (GP: 19; GD: +1; PTS: 25)

9.    Montreal (GP: 20; GD: -9; PTS: 23)

10.  Inter Miami (GP: 20; GD: 21; PTS: 21)

11.  Chicago (GP: 19; GD: -4; PTS: 21)

12.  Atlanta United FC (GP: 20; GD: -5; PTS: 19)

13.  DC United (GP: 20; GD: -15; PTS: 18)

14.  FC Cincinnati (GP: 20; GD: -20; PTS: 16)

NOTES:  With Philadelphia and Toronto level on points (41) and wins (12), the Union have the superior goal differential (+22, compared to the Redsw' +8); with Inter Miami and Chicago level on points with 21, the Herons have more wins than the Fire (6-5).

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

1.   Kansas City (GP: 19; GD: +10; PTS: 33)

2.   Seattle (GP: 18; GD: +18; PTS: 32)

3.   Portland (GP: 19; GD: +8; PTS: 32)

4.   Los Angeles Football Club (GP: 19; GD: +8; PTS: 28)

5.   Minnesota United FC (GP: 18; GD: +6; PTS: 27)

6.   FC Dallas (GP: 18; GD: +2; PTS: 25)

7.   Vancouver (GP: 20; GD: -17; PTS: 24)

8.   San Jose (GP: 20; GD: -16; PTS: 24)

9.   Real Salt Lake (GP: 19; GD: -5; PTS: 22)

10. Houston (GP: 20; GD: -5; PTS: 21)

11. Colorado (GP: 14; GD: +1; PTS: 19)

12. Los Angeles Galaxy (GP: 18; GD: -14; PTS: 18)

NOTES:  With Seattle and Portland level on points (32) and wins (9), the Sounders have the superior goal differential (+18, compared to the Timbers' +8); with Vancouver and San Jose level on points with 24, the Whitecaps have won more games (8-6).

x-Clinched berth in MLS Cup Playoffs

'Gers Blank Visiting Livingston 2-0

 At Glasgow, Scotland:

Joe Aribo (9') and Jermain Defoe (16') each scored once on Sunday as Rangers blanked visiting Livingston 2-0 in Scottish Premiership action.

Bhoys And Dons Draw In Aberdeen

 At Aberdeen, Scotland:

Lewis Ferguson scored twice (PK-43', PK-90'+2) and Ryan Hedges once (65') as Aberdeen gained a 3-3 Sunday Scottish Premiership home draw with Celtic.

Callum McGregor (52'), Leigh Griffiths (76'), and Ryan Christie (PK-78') each scored once for the Bhoys.

Monaco Dumped On Road

 At Decines-Charpieu, France:

Karl Toko Ekambi scored twice (34', 44') on Sunday as Lyon raced out to a 4-0 halftime lead before coasting to an easy 4-1 Ligue 1 home victory over AS Monaco.

Wolves And Magpies Battle To 1-1 Draw

 At Wolverhampton, England:

Jacob Murphy's 89th-minute equalizer carried Newcastle United to a 1-1 Sunday English Premier League road draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Raul Jimenez tallied for Wolves in the 80th minute.

MLS: Saturday Victories For Herons, DC United, CityZens, Loons, Philly, SKC, Caps

 Ten games were contested on Saturday in Major League Soccer.

At Fort Lauderdale, Florida:

Leandro Gonzalez Pirez scored the game winner in the 89th minute as Inter Miami knocked off visiting Orlando City 2-1, snapping the Lions' 12-match unbeaten streak.

At Atlanta:

Gelmin Rivas scored the game winner in the opening minute of second-half stoppage time as DC United upended home-standing Atlanta United 2-1.

At New York City:

Jesus Medina (68'), Maxi Morales (82'), and Tony Rocha (86') each scored once as New York City held off the visiting Montreal Impact 3-1.

At Chicago:

Kyle Duncan (39') and Brian White (90'+1) each scored once as New York City gained a 2-2 road draw with Chicago.

Robert Beric (51') and Przymeslaw Frankowski (71') each delivered a goal for the Fire.

At Cincinnati:

Aaron Schoenfeld pulled through for Minnesota United as his goal at the death (90'+2) pushed the Loons past Cincinnati 1-0 on the road.

At Chester, Pennsylvania:

Sergio Santos' hat trick (27;, 63', 68') helped the Philadelphia Union destroy visiting Toronto FC 5-0.

At Houston:

Victor Cabrera's own goal in the 67th minute helped the Columbus Crew gain a 1-1 road draw with the Houston Dynamo.

Memo Rodriguez scored for the Dynamo at 37 minutes.

At Kansas City, Kansas:

Alan Pulido (54'), Andreu Fontas (67'), Gadi Kinda (88'), and Gerso Fernandes (90'+3) each scored once as Sporting Kansas City took over top spot in the Western Conference following their 4-0 home demolition of the Colorado Rapids, who played their first game in over a month.

At Sandy, Utah:

Real Salt Lake and visiting Dallas FC battled to a 0-0 stalemate.

At Portland, Oregon (due to COVID-19-related travel and quarantine restrictions):

Adi Adnan (51') and Tosaint Ricketts (57') each scored once as the Vancouver Whitecaps overcame a 1-0 halftime deficit to upend the visiting San Jose Earthquakes 2-1.

Road Win For The Lions

 At Sao Miguel, Portugal:

Pedro Goncalves scored twice (20', 81') on Saturday as Sporting CP defeated Santa Clara 2-1 on the road in Portuguese Liga action.

Blowout Win For Bayern

 At Munich:

Robert Lewandowski produced a hat trick (10', 26', 60') on Saturday as Bayern Munich destroyed visiting Eintracht Frankfurt 5-0 in German Bundesliga action.

Mattress Makers To Much For Real Betis

 At Madrid:

Marcos Llorente (46') and Luis Suarez (90'+1) delivered the goals for Atletico Madrid as the Mattress Makers blanked visiting Real Betis 2-0 in Saturday Spanish Primera Division action.

To Say Ajax Bombed VVV Venlo Would Be An Understatement

 At Venlo, Netherlands:

Lassina Traore delivered five goals (17', 32', 54', 65', 67') while Klaas Jan Huntelaar (PK-74', 76'), Jurgen Ekkelenkamp (12', 57') each added a double on Saturday as Ajax Amsterdam made VVV Venlo look like Charlie Brown's baseball team as the visitors nuked the hosts 13-0 in Dutch Eredivisie action.

CAF Champions League: Al -Ahly Dominate Wydad Casablanca, Advance To Final

 At Cairo, Egypt:

Marwan Mohsen (5'), Hussein El Shahat (26'), and Yasser Ibrahim (59') each scored once as Al-Ahly downed visiting Wydad Casablanca 3-1 in Friday's second game of their CAF Champions League semifinal series and took out the Moroccan club 5-1 on aggregate.

Al-Ahly, who have won the tournament on eight different occasions (most recently in 2013), will take on the Zamalek-Raja Casablanca series winner in the one-game Champions League Final, set for November 6 at Cairo's International Stadium.

MLS: Nashville And Revs Draw In Music City

 At Nashville, Tennessee:

In the lone Friday Major League Soccer contest, Nashville SC and the visiting New England Revolution battled to a 1-1 deadlock.

Veteran Walker Zimmerman put the hosts in the lead in the 74th minute, only to see the Revs' Adam Buska equalize three minutes later.

CONCACAF League: Forge FC, Motagua Advance To Round Of 16

 The CONCACAF League's preliminary round continued on Thursday with two games.

At San Salvador, El Salvador:

Anthony Novak scored the winning goal in the 83rd minute as Canada's Forge FC defeated Municipal Limeno 2-1 on the road.

At Tegucigalpa, Honduras:

After a 2-2 regulation draw, and with overtime dispensed with, Roberto Moreira (twice), Wilmer Crisanto (twice), Matias Galvaliz (twice), Roman Castillo (twice), Bayron Mendez (twice), Emilio Izaguirre (once), Hector Castellanos (once), Jonathan Rougier (once), Kevin Lopez (once), and Juan Montes (once) converted their spot kicks as Motagua edged out visiting Comunicaciones 15-14 in a penalty-kick shootout that lasted 18 rounds.

MLS: Late Goal Gains Home Draw For Sounders Against Timbers

At Seattle: 

In the lone Thursday Major League Soccer contest, Will Bruin's equalizer at the death (90'+3) lifted the Seattle Sounders to a 1-1 home draw with the Portland Timbers.

Andreas Flores scored for the Timbers in the 10th minute.

Copa Libertadores: Group-Stage Play Concludes

 Four games were contested on Thursday as Copa Libertadores group-stage play concluded.

GROUP E:

At Porto Alegre, Brazil:

Diego Souza's very late successful penalty kick (90'+11) carried Gremio to a 1-1 home draw with America de Cali.

Walter Kannemann scored an own goal in the 53rd minute for the Colombian club.

At Santiago, Chile:

Fernando Zampedri scored twice (25', 89') as Universidad Catolica knocked off visiting Internacional 2-1 to gain a berth in the Copa Sudamericana's second stage.

Despite the defeat, the Brazilian club still advanced to the Copa Libertadores' knockout stage.

Final Group E Standings:

1. Gremio (GP: 6; GD: +3; PTS: 11)

2. Internacional (GP: 6; GD: +2; PTS: 8)

3. Universidad Catolica (GP: 6; GD: -3; PTS: 7)

4. America de Cali (GP: 6; GD: -2; PTS: 6)

Gremio and Internacional advanced to the Copa Libertadores knockout stage; Universidad Catolica qualified for the Copa Sudamericana's second stage.

GROUP H:

At Buenos Aires:

Carlos Tevez scored twice (33', 44') as Boca Juniors dominated visiting Caracas 3-0.

At Asuncion, Paraguay:

Javier Reina scored the game winner at 63 minutes as Independiente Medellin knocked off Club Libertad 4-2 on the road.

Final Group H Standings:

1. Boca Junions (GP: 6; GD: +9; PTS: 14)

2. Club Libertad (GP: 6; GD: -3; PTS: 7)

3. Caracas FC (GP: 6; GD: -4; PTS: 7)

4. Independiente Medellin (GP: 6; GD: -2; PTS: 6)

Boca Juniors and Club Libertad advanced to the Copa Libertadores knockout stage; Caracas FC qualified for the Copa Sudamericana's second stage.

Europa League: Group-Stage Play Opens With Thursday Wins For Rangers, Rossoneri, Spurs, Benfica, Roma, Gunners, Sociedad, Leverkusen, Foxes, Mastiffs, Yellow Submarine, AZ, Braga, Maccabi Tel Aviv

 Group-stage play in the Europa League commenced with 24 games on Thursday.

GROUP A:

At Bern, Switzerland:

Marash Kumbulla scored the game winner in the 74th minute as AS Roma knocked off BSC Young Boys 2-1 on the road.

At Sofia, Bulgaria:

Mario Rondon (53') and Ciprian Deac (PK-74') each scored a goal as CFR Cluj blanked CSKA Sofia 2-0 on the road.

Group A Standings:

1. CFR Cluj (GP: 1; GD: +2; PTS: 3)

2. AS Roma (GP: 1; GD: +1; PTS: 3)

3. BSC Young Boys (GP: 1; GD: -1; PTS: 0)

4. CSKA Sofia (GP: 1; GD: -2; PTS: 0)

GROUP B:

At Dublin, Ireland:

Ohi Omoijuanfo's successful penalty kick at 72 minutes lifted Molde to a 2-1 road win over Dundalk.

At Vienna, Austria:

David Luiz (70') and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (74') each scored a second-half goal four minutes apart as Arsenal came from behind to upend Rapid Vienna 2-1 on the road.

Group B Standings:

1. Arsenal (GP: 1; GD: +1; PTS: 3)

2. Molde FK (GP: 1; GD: +1; PTS: 3)

3. Rapid Vienna (GP: 1; GD: -1; PTS: 0)

4. Dundalk (GP: 1; GD: -1; PTS: 0)

GROUP C:

At Leverkusen, Germany:

Karim Bellarabi scored twice (78', 83') as Bayer Leverkusen demolished visiting Nice 6-2.

At Petah Tikva, Israel:

Elton-Ofoi Acolatse scored twice (86', 88') as Hapoel Be'er Sheva defeated visiting Slavia Prague 3-1.

Group C Standings:

1. Bayer Leverkusen (GP: 1; GD: +4; PTS: 3)

2. Hapoel Be'er Sheva (GP: 1; GD: +2; PTS: 3)

3. Slavia Prague (GP: 1; GD: -2; PTS: 0)

4. OGC Nice (GP: 1; GD: -4; PTS: 6)

GROUP D:

At Liege, Belgium:

James Tavernier (PK-19') and Kemar Roofe (90'+3) each scored twice as Rangers blanked Standard Liege 2-0 on the road.

At Paznan, Poland:

Darwin Gabriel Nunez produced a hat trick (42', 60', 90'3) as SL Benfica doubled up Lech Poznan 4-2 on the road.

Group D Standings:

1. SL Benfica (GP: 1; GD: +2; PTS: 3)

2. Rangers (GP: 1; GD: +2; PTS: 3)

3. Lech Poznan (GP: 1; GD: -2; PTS: 0)

4. Standard Liege (GP: 1; GD: -2; PTS: 0)

GROUP E:

At Eindhoven, Netherlands:

Darwin Daniel Machis scored the game winner in the 66th minute as Granada came from behind to knock off PSV Eindhoven 2-1 on the road.

At Thessaloniki, Greece:

Thomas Murg's equalizer in the 56th minute carried PAOK FC to a 1-1 home draw with Omonia.

Eric Bautheac scored for the Cypriot club in the 16th minute.

Group E Standings:

1. Grenada (GP: 1; GD: +1; PTS: 3)

2. Omonia (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)

3. PAOK FC (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)

4. PSV Eindhoven (GP: 1; GD: -1; PTS: 0)

NOTE:  Omonia scored a road goal in their 1-1 Thursday draw with PAOK FC. 

GROUP F:

At Naples, Italy:

Dani De Wit came through for AZ Alkmaar as his goal in the 87th minute carried the Dutch club to a 1-0 victory on the road over Napoli.

At Rijeka, Croatia:

Jon Bautista's goal at the death (90'+3)  lifted Real Sociedad to a 1-0 road win over Rijeka.

Group F Standings:

1. Real Sociedad (GP: 1; GD: +1; PTS: 3)

2. AZ Alkmaar (GP: 1; GD: +1; PTS: 3)

3. Napoli (GP: 1; GD: -1; PTS: 0)

4. Rijeka (GP: 1; GD: -1; PTS: 0)

GROUP G:

At Braga, Portugal:

Wenderson Galeno (44'), Paulinho (78'), and Ricardo Horta (88') each scored once as Sporting Braga dominated visiting AEK Athens 3-0.

At Leicester, England:

James Maddison (29'), Harvey Barnes (45'), and Kelechi Iheanacho (67') produced the goals as Leicester City dominated visiting Zorya Luhansk 3-0.

Group G Standings:

1. Leicester City (GP: 1; GD: +3; PTS: 3)

2. Sporting Braga (GP: 1; GD: +3; PTS: 3)

3. Zorya Luhansk (GP: 1; GD: -3; PTS: 0)

4. AEK Athens (GP: 1; GD: -3; PTS: 0)

NOTES:  Leicester City had fewer disciplinary points than Sporting Braga (1, compared to the Portuguese club's 3); Zorya Luhansk had fewer disciplinary points than AEK Atherns (2, compared to AEK's 3).

GROUP H:

At Glasgow, Scotland:

Brahim Diaz scored the winning goal in the 42nd minute as AC Milan defeated Celtic 3-1 on the road.

Yusuf Yazici produced a hat trick (45'+1, 60', 75') as Lille dominated Sparta Prague 4-1 on the road.

Group H Standings:

1. Lille (GP: 1; GD: +3; PTS: 3)

2. AC Milan (GP: 1; GD: +2; PTS: 3)

3. Celtic (GP: 1; GD: -2; PTS: 0)

4. Sparta Prague (GP: 1; GD: -3; PTS: 0)

GROUP I:

At Villarreal, Spain:

Paco Alcacer scored twice (74', 78') as Villarreal downed visiting Sivasspor 5-3.

At Tel Aviv, Israel:

Yonatan Cohen's 10th-minute goal stood up as Maccabi Tel Aviv defeated visiting Qarabag 1-0.

Group I Standings:

1. Villarreal (GP: 1; GD: +2; PTS: 3)

2. Maccabi Tel Aviv (GP: 1; GD: +1; PTS: 3)

3. Qarabag (GP: 1; GD: -1; PTS: 0)

4. Sivasspor (GP: 1; GD: -2; PTS: 0)

GROUP J:

At London:

Lucas Moura (18'), Andres Andrade (OG-27'), and Son Heung-min (84') each scored once as Tottenham Hotspur dominated visiting LASK 3-0.

At Razgrad, Bulgaria:

Lior Rafaelov scored the winning goal in the 70th minute as Royal Antwerp knocked off Ludogorets Razgrad 2-1 on the road.

Group J Standings:

1. Tottenham Hotspur (GP: 1; GD: +3; PTS: 3)

2. Royal Antwerp FC (GP: 1; GD: +1; PTS: 3)

3. Ludogorets Razgrad (GP: 1; GD: -1; PTS: 0)

4. LASK (GP: 1; GD: -3; PTS: 0)

GROUP K:

At Zagreb, Croatia:

Dinamo Zagreb and visiting Feyenoord Rotterdam battled to a 0-0 stalemate. 

At Klagenfurt, Austria:

Michael Lendl's successfully-converted penalty kick in the 42nd minute lifted Wolfsberger AC to a 1-1 home draw with CSKA Moscow.

Adolfo Giach tallied in the fifth minute for the Horses.

Group K Standings:

1. CSKA Moscow (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)

2. Wolfsberger AC (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)

3. Dinamo Zagreb (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)

4. Feyenoord Rotterdam (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)

NOTES:  CSKA Moscow scored a road goal in their Thursday draw with Wolfsberger AC; Dinamo Zagreb compiled fewer disciplinary points than Feyenoord Rotterdam (2-4).

GROUP L:

At Sinsheim, Germany:

Christoph Bumgartner (64') and Mu'nas Dabbur (90'+3) delivered the goals as TSG Hoffenheim blanked visiting Red Star Belgrade 2-0.

At Liberec, Czech Republic:

Abdulla Helal scored the only goal of Slovan Liberec's 1-0 home victory over KAA Gent in the 29th minute.

Group L Standings:

1. TSG Hoffenheim (GP: 1; GD: +2; PTS: 3)

2. Slovan Liberec (GP: 1; GD: +1; PTS: 3)

3. KAA Gent (GP: 1; GD: -1; PTS: 0)

4. Red Star Belgrade (GP: 1; GD: -2; PTS: 0)