Daily Sports Recap — Monday, July 13

Spain @ France

France on home soil is always a force—especially with their midfield mastery and experience in tight matches. Spain’s ball control is great, but Les Bleus will hit on the break and take it.

Lean: France

Toronto FC @ CF Montréal

CF Montréal’s solid defense and home crowd should stifle Toronto FC, who struggle on the road. I see Montréal edging this local rivalry.

Lean: CF Montréal

Vancouver Whitecaps @ Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire’s leaky back line will struggle to contain Vancouver’s pace on the wings. The Whitecaps are the more composed side and should sneak a win in the Windy City.

Lean: Vancouver Whitecaps

Sporting Kansas City @ St. Louis CITY SC

St. Louis CITY SC’s press and organized play give them the edge, especially at home where they rarely falter. Sporting KC just doesn’t have the firepower to keep up.

Lean: St. Louis CITY SC

Portland Timbers @ Seattle Sounders FC

Nothing fires up Seattle like hosting Portland. With the Timbers’ away form looking shaky, expect the Sounders to ride the wave and snag a classic Cascadia Cup home win.

Lean: Seattle Sounders FC

Atlante @ Necaxa

Necaxa at home should control the flow, and Atlante will have trouble breaking down their back three. Necaxa pulls out a close win.

Lean: Necaxa

Tigres UANL @ Tijuana

Tigres’ squad depth and attacking strength will be too much for Tijuana, even on the road. Expect Tigres to boss possession and take all three points.

Lean: Tigres UANL

Santos @ Botafogo

Botafogo at home is a fortress this season, while Santos are in rebuild mode. Expect Botafogo to take command and pick up the win.

Lean: Botafogo

Vasco da Gama @ Vitória

Vasco da Gama’s experience trumps Vitória’s hustle—expect Vasco to dictate play and leave with an away win.

Lean: Vasco da Gama

Excelsior @ SC Cambuur

Excelsior’s energy at home should give them the edge in this coin-flip opener against Cambuur. I lean Excelsior by a goal.

Lean: Excelsior

Académico de Viseu @ Benfica

Benfica’s quality up and down the pitch is worlds apart from Académico de Viseu. This will be a demonstration match for the favorites.

Lean: Benfica

FC Famalicao @ Estoril

Famalicao has more firepower and creativity, while Estoril has struggled to score. Expect Famalicao to control this one and win.

Lean: FC Famalicao

Sporting CP @ Estrela

Sporting CP shouldn’t break a sweat against Estrela—the Lions’ attacking movement will be too much for the hosts.

Lean: Sporting CP

Alverca @ FC Porto

FC Porto will overwhelm Alverca with their pressing and set-piece ability. Expect Porto to start the season strong with a comfortable road win.

Lean: FC Porto

Rio Ave @ Gil Vicente

Gil Vicente on home turf is a tough out, and Rio Ave lacks the attacking punch to crack them open. Lean Gil Vicente in a tight match.

Lean: Gil Vicente

Casa Pia @ Maritimo

Marítimo, newly promoted, have momentum and energy—just enough to outlast Casa Pia in a scrappy affair.

Lean: Maritimo

Braga @ Moreirense

Braga has too much offensive talent for Moreirense to handle. Expect Braga to set the early season tempo with a convincing win.

Lean: Braga

C.D. Nacional @ Santa Clara

Santa Clara looks better organized back to front and should edge Nacional in Madeira with their disciplined press.

Lean: Santa Clara

Arouca @ Vitória de Guimaraes

Vitória de Guimaraes’ home strength and midfield quality makes them the pick. Arouca will keep it close, but the hosts get it done late.

Lean: Vitória de Guimaraes

@ Field TBD

With the field still TBD, I’ll lean toward a first-time major winner taking the Open. Look for a rising star—maybe Ludvig Åberg or Sahith Theegala—to take this one.

Lean: First-time major winner

Dricus Du Plessis @ Kamaru Usman

Du Plessis is younger, hungrier, and carries real power — Usman is a legend but his best days are clearly behind him. Expect Du Plessis to keep it standing and get his hand raised.

Lean: Dricus Du Plessis

Christian Leroy Duncan @ Jared Cannonier

Cannonier's experience and granite chin should be enough to outlast Duncan, who just isn't proven at this level yet. Cannonier by late TKO or decision.

Lean: Jared Cannonier

Mitch Ramirez @ Chase Hooper

Hooper's grappling is a headache for anyone outside the top 15, and Ramirez doesn't have the defensive wrestling to stop him. Hooper drags this to the mat and finds a submission.

Lean: Chase Hooper

Fatima Kline @ Tabatha Ricci

Ricci's relentless pace and superior jiu-jitsu should break through Kline's defenses. Ricci takes this on the ground with dominant top control.

Lean: Tabatha Ricci

Tommy McMillen @ Alberto Montes

Montes has shown a more refined game on the feet and enough takedown defense to keep McMillen from grinding him. Montes by decision.

Lean: Alberto Montes