After an absurdly long international break, the insanity that is MLS comes roaring back in full force with 14 games slated for the weekend. Sure, some teams played actual league games during the break, but those were largely one-offs thanks to World Cup qualifying and Nations League matches galore. This week there are no outliers to worry about. Just pure, unadulterated, GAM & TAM chaos.
As a reminder, this is not a prediction column. Instead, I’m here to tell you, dear Austin FC fan, who to cheer for in each game this week so that it best benefits our beloved squad.
Games That Make You Go Meh
New York Red Bulls vs Toronto FC – Saturday @ 6:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
Columbus Crew vs Charlotte FC – Saturday @ 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
Philadelphia Union vs FC Cincinnati – Saturday @ 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
Chicago Fire vs D.C. United – Saturday @ 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
Atlanta United vs Inter Miami FC – Sunday @ 2:00 p.m. (ESPN 2)
Games That Matter
Seattle Sounders vs LAFC – 2:00 p.m. (ABC)
Well hello! The CCL Champions quietly moved back above the playoff line during the international break after winning a rescheduled match against Vancouver earlier in the week, and now they get to host the league leaders in a nationally televised affair. Mark my words, Seattle is going to push for a home playoff match by season’s end. This should be a good one, but the best result for Austin is that both teams share the points.
The Side: A fun little draw
ATX Impact Scale: 4
LA Galaxy vs Portland Timbers – 4:00 p.m. (ESPN)
Portland has struggled most of the season and finds themselves in firm contention for the Wooden Spoon. Which, I must say, is a really weird concept to think about. Meanwhile the Galaxy are a complete enigma. One week they look great, the next they lose 3-0. I have no idea what to really make of this match, but I hope Portland pulls off a stunner given that Galaxy are just one point behind ATX for 4th place.
The Side: Portland Timbers
ATX Impact Scale: 3
Orlando City vs Houston Dynamo – 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
Houston is currently below the playoff line. Let’s keep them in that hole.
The Side: The Original AzTex
ATX Impact Scale: 3
FC Dallas vs Vancouver Whitecaps – 8:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
I would normally just write this game off as a Frisco victory and move on. But then I remembered this happened a few weeks ago…
To which all I can say is…
Do it again ‘Caps.
The Side: Oh, Canada!
ATX Impact Scale: 4.5
Real Salt Lake vs San Jose Earthquakes – 8:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
Real may be the most annoying team in the West. They just won’t go away. And now the Mountain Monarchs are one point ahead of ATX in the standings, albeit with one extra game played because THEY LOST TO VANCOUVER DURING THE BREAK ON A STOPPAGE TIME PENALTY!
You know else played during the break? San Jose. And they didn’t lose. In fact, they went into the snake pit that is Nashville and came out with a point. Let’s keep this trend going.
The Side: San Jose
ATX Impact Scale: 4
NYCFC vs Colorado Rapids – 4:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
Here’s two teams that took full advantage of the break by doing absolutely nothing. To be honest, I admire it. This is simple. Colorado is one point out of the playoffs. The more teams and space we can put between Austin and that playoff line, the better.
The Side: NY Soccer Yankees
ATX Impact Scale: 2
New England Revolution vs Minnesota United – 4:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
See above.
The Side: New England
ATX Impact Scale: 2
Nashville SC vs Sporting Kansas City – 5:00 p.m. (FS1)
I’ve been saying for weeks that Nashville is coming. Well folks….
The Coyotes are just one point behind ATX for 4th place (though they have played one more game). Unfortunately for us, I think this match ends in a win for the home team because SKC is just not good. But one can hope.
The Side: Sporting KC
ATX Impact Scale: 3.5
Uncle Tony P.
Uncle Tony P. is a lifelong Austin FC supporter and overall handsome son of a bitch who always has a full supply of mustard on hand for his Verde friends.