Remember how I said the Frisco match last week was “To the pain” a la Princess Bride? Apparently, we didn’t go far enough in our consideration of pain after experiencing another heartbreaking defeat Wednesday against Seattle.
Austin scored 2 goals and should have had at least a draw. I don’t give a shit what MLS says. Walter, what did you think about that ball?
That’s what I thought. Now the Verde & Black sit in 10th after not getting much help elsewhere in the league on Wednesday and have to travel to Foxboro to face Bruce Arena’s Revolution. The Revs look like last year’s ATX team in some ways. No chance of catching first place but solidly in 2nd for now. It will be a tall task to leave with a result but getting one could go a long way towards whether Austin makes the playoffs or not.
As for the rest of the league….
MLS Sickos Game of the Week
I’m not sure one exists this week. Every game has some sort of playoff implication. Enjoy.
6:30 p.m. Block (Apple TV – *Denotes Free Match)
NYCFC vs Vancouver Whitecaps
FC Cincinnati vs Orlando City*
D.C. United vs Chicago Fire
Club de Foot Montreal vs Columbus Crew*
Fuckin’ Vancouver. They are on game 3 of a 7 game road trip and so far have gone 2-0-0 with wins at Portland and Chicago. Those two wins double their total for road wins all year (1) prior to the trip. We need them to revert to their bad road form and soon, as the ‘Caps are now 5 points clear of ATXFC. Unfortunately for us, NYCFC kinda sucks. Here’s hoping Vancouver can’t play baseball.
The Side: Pin Stripes
ATXFC Impact Rating: 3.5
7:30 p.m. Block (Apple TV – *Denotes Free Match)
Sporting Kansas City vs St Louis CITY
FC Dallas vs Atlanta United
Nashville SC vs FC Charlotte*
Frisco currently hold the 9th and final playoff spot in the West, one point above Austin. The bad news is they are playing at home and Jesus Ferreira should be available. The good news is that Atlanta is playing much better soccer, having won 2 of 3 since Leagues Cup ended with the loss being a tight match against Supporters’ Shield leading Cincinnati. We could really use a Toros loss here (and most weeks if we’re being honest).
The Side: ATLiens
ATXFC Impact Rating: 5
8:30 p.m. Block (Apple TV – *Denotes Free Match)
Real Salt Lake vs Colorado Rapids
Don’t look now, but RSL has lost four straight across all competitions and have fallen to 6th in the West. Colorado is, well, Colorado and hasn’t won a match since July 8th so the odds are heavily in favor of RSL getting back on track. But this is a rivalry match…….
The Side: Get Kroenke
ATXFC Impact Rating: 3
9:30 p.m. Block (Apple TV – *Denotes Free Match)
San Jose Earthquakes vs Minnesota United*
L.A. Galaxy vs Houston Dynamo*
Seattle Sounders vs Portland Timbers
We need two draws and a Seattle win in this block. The Sounders are probably out of reach for Austin this year in the standings, but every other team in this time slot is participating in the Battle of the Mid.
ATXFC Impact Score: 4.75
Sunday Night Fútbol – (Apple TV – *Denotes Free Match)
Philadelphia Union vs NY Red Bulls* (Also on FS1)
LAFC vs Inter Messi FC
Neither of these games have a direct impact on Austin, so skip ‘em if you want. Messi traveling to LAFC should be fun though.
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.