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August 29, 2024
STATUS OF TRANSFER TRACKER: Extension D.C. United announced on Wednesday that.
Christian Benteke, a top D.C. United striker signed a contract extension.
Benteke’s new contract has a 2026 option and expires in 2025. The Belgian international and former star of the English Premier League is still a designated player.
“Christian is an incredible playmaker, and he has consistently demonstrated that he is one of the best forwards in MLS,” Ally Mackay, general manager and chief soccer officer, stated in a release.
“… It was pivotal for us to keep Christian at the club for both his on-field talent and his leadership in the locker room. We are very excited to keep Christian with us for another season and we look forward to him continuing to make an impact at this club.”
Benteke’s influence
Benteke joined Washington midway through the 2022 season from Crystal Palace, an EPL team, and immediately became the focal point of their offensive.
In 60 appearances throughout the regular season, the 33-year-old has 32g/9a. Benteke, a two-time Major League Soccer All-Star, is tied with Cristian Arango of Real Salt Lake at the top of the Golden Boot presented by Audi standings with 17 goals in 2024.
“Christian is one of the most dominant forwards this league has ever seen, but what people don’t see is how hard he works on a daily basis to be at his best,” said head coach Troy Lesesne.
“That mentality permeates across the team and he leads by example both on and off the field. We are delighted to have Christian’s presence on the field and his leadership at the club next season, and I look forward to continuing to coach and learn from Christian in 2025.”
late-round playoff push
Benteke is playing at his best as the Black-and-Red look to win their first Audi Major League Soccer Cup Playoffs berth since 2019. He has three goals and two assists in his previous two league games.
They face Toronto F.C. on Saturday night (7:30 pm E.T. – Apple T.V. – Free), two points out of the Eastern Conference’s ninth and final postseason spot.
Luis Suarez continued his impressive form, netting twice to bring his season tally to 16 goals in 20 Major League Soccer matches as Inter Miami secured a 4-1 victory over Chicago Fire on Saturday. Despite missing Lionel Messi, who remains sidelined with an ankle injury, Miami showed no signs of slowing down, having already clinched a playoff spot. Major League Soccer roundup: Inter Miami defeats Chicago with two goals from Suarez.
The 37-year-old Uruguayan opened the scoring in the 25th minute, forcing a deflection off Chicago defender Tobias Salquist after his shot was parried by goalkeeper Chris Brady. Suarez struck again just a minute into the second half, beating Brady with a low left-footed shot after a clever exchange with Diego Gomez. He completed his brace and made it 3-0 with a close-range finish from a Jordi Alba assist.
Chicago managed a consolation goal in the 82nd minute through Giorgios Koutsias. Still, Miami capped their dominant performance when Leonardo Campana set up substitute Robert Taylor, who finished quickly.
Elsewhere, defending champions Columbus Crew remain in solid contention for the Eastern Conference postseason, following a dramatic 4-2 win over New York City F.C. Algerian forward Mounsef Bakrar had equalized for New York in the 86th minute. Still, two stoppage-time goals from DeJuan Jones and Jacen Russell-Rowe secured victory for Columbus, who now sit third in the East.
F.C. Cincinnati maintained their position just ahead of Columbus after a 4-1 win over Montreal, highlighted by Luca Orellano’s brace, including a spectacular strike from inside his own half.
In the Western Conference, second-placed Los Angeles FC suffered a surprising 2-0 home defeat to Houston Dynamo. Ezequiel Ponce scored in the 28th minute, and substitute Lawrence Ennali sealed the win with a solo effort in the 70th minute, displaying blistering pace to round Hugo Lloris and score.
The Portland Timbers edged out Seattle Sounders 1-0 in the Pacific Northwest derby, courtesy of a 54th-minute strike by Colombian Juan Mosquera. Portland, Houston, and Seattle are now level on 40 points, with the Sounders just outside the playoff spots on goal difference.
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Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and football sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Football News Today, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for football, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
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