I’m back! Sorry I missed last week. Turns out I occasionally have a life outside of this free fan blog. Crazy, I know!
Since we last congregated, Austin has gained another six points in the table and vaulted to 3rd in the West. Oh, and Emiliano Rigoni is no longer a part of the club. Oh, and we’re being linked with a Champions League + World Cup goal scorer just entering his prime.
Basically, a lot of positive shit has happened. (Sorry Emi, you are a good dude, but it was the right move by Rodo).
So, what’s the one thing that could make this week better? Beating the absolute piss out of San Jose, that’s what! Long time readers know of my hatred for the Quakes. Knocking them off on the road would be the cherry on top of this fantastic 10 day run for the club.
As for the rest of the league…
Saturday, May 25th
Atlanta United vs LAFC – 6:30 p.m. (Apple TV)
Atlanta has gone from “kind of fun to watch” to “OH MY GOD AVERT YOUR EYES” in record time. LAFC isn’t fantastic on the road, but they should have more than enough to pick up a result in this match.
FC Charlotte vs Philadelphia Union – 6:30 p.m. (Apple TV)
Kind of a swing match here. Charlotte can push their way to a top four position in the East with a win, while Philly could potentially get out of the log jam around the playoff line.
D.C United vs Chicago Fire – 6:30 p.m. (Apple TV)
Neither team is very good. However, D.C. can put out some really entertaining matches when they are clicking.
CF Montreal vs Nashville SC – 6:30 p.m. (Apple TV)
Bleh.
New England vs NYCFC – 6:30 p.m. (Apple TV)
The Revs are the only team in MLS still stuck on single digit points (7). So the question is, how well does a Wooden Spoon stir a bowl of chowder?
Orlando City vs Columbus Crew – 6:30 p.m. (Apple TV)
Orlando picked up 7 points in 8 days last week, including a midweek draw with Miami. The Lions are playing better soccer and slowly, maybe turning into the team we thought they could be at the start of the season. Tough test with Columbus in town this weekend. Get a result and the eyebrows really start to raise.
Toronto FC vs FC Cincinnati – 6:30 p.m. (Apple TV)
Best game of the early block. Toronto is flying high after scoring 13 goals in their last two matches (MLS + Canadian Cup) and should come into this match with loads of confidence. These two played a scoreless draw back in week 2, but expect some fireworks on the shores of Lake Ontario this time around.
FC Dallas vs Real Salt Lake – 7:30 p.m. (Apple TV)
Big test for Dallas at home. They desperately need more points after picking up 4 in their last two MLS matches. However the question right now is, what do the Toros prioritize: MLS or the Open Cup, a tournament where they advanced to the quarterfinals earlier in the week? RSL is going to be near the top of the West all season. The intrigue in this match lies with the home squad.
St. Louis CITY vs Seattle Sounders – 7:30 p.m. (Apple TV)
It feels like Seattle is starting to figure some things out, having lost just once across all competitions since April 30th. On the other hand, CITY is having a huge regression to the mean, showing what happens when you sell your soul for one year of Jared Stroud’s dark magic.
Colorado Rapids vs Minnesota United – 8:30 p.m. (Apple TV)
This is a fascinating matchup. Minnesota, by a PPG measurement, is right with RSL for being the best in the West. But Colorado is an absolute wild card of a team that is punching well above it’s weight while playing wide open matches. Expect some chaos here.
LA Galaxy vs Houston Dynamo – 9:30 p.m. (Apple TV)
L.A. has drawn four straight games since getting their ass kicked in Austin last month, which is objectively hilarious. Galaxy are still very fun to watch as a neutral, but Houston has a way of turning every match into a slog. Probably looking at another 1-1 draw.
Portland Timbers vs Sporting KC – 9:30 p.m. (Apple TV)
Does anyone care about this match?
Vancouver Whitecaps vs Inter Miami – 9:30 p.m. (Apple TV)
Poor Whitecap fans. They get one of three games versus the Western Conference from Miami this year, and none of Messi, Suarez, or Busquets are expected to make the trip. It’s so bad that the Vancouver front office is offering half-off concessions for the match. Usually I root for Western Conference teams to lose to Eastern opponents, but not this one. Fuck ‘em up Caps.
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.