MLS Cheering Guide: Volume 4, Match Day 20

Well hello there.  It’s been a while.  Between weird game schedules and general life commitments, this writer has fallen behind.  So let’s catch up!

• Austin FC is back to being a fringe playoff team after a nice month or so of games.  To be honest, we all had to see this coming, right?  The underlying numbers this year have never favored the Verde & Black.
  
  
• On the bright side, two new players are on their way to ATX.  We’ll talk more about Mikkel Desler & Osman Bukari in the near future.  Both should be huge upgrades for the team though.
  
  
• #wolffin vs #wolffout continues to rage on.  Long time readers know where I stand, but I’m sensing that patience is starting to wear thin with Wolff among more of the fanbase.  Josh looked to have some heavy bags under his eyes after the LAFC game.  Maybe a sign of a dude stressing out over his job security?

Elsewhere, the league is in total disarray right now with so many players on international duty.  Trying to make sense of who is good and who isn’t is a fool’s errand.  But the games still count the same in the standings, thus we have to pay attention to results.  And now that we’re on game 20, it’s time to start with the cheering guide ratings system for the year.

For those who don’t remember, I rate games on a scale of 1-5.  1 meaning it has no meaning for Austin’s playoff chances and 5 meaning it’s a huge match that directly affects ATXFC.  Let’s get started.

All games this week are on Apple TV only.

Games to Watch in the Background
All of these matches are East vs East or West matchups that have no bearing on Austin’s playoff path.

FC Cincinnati vs New England Revolution – 6:30 p.m.
Philadelphia Union vs FC Charlotte – 6:30 p.m.
Orlando City vs Chicago Fire – 6:30 p.m.
New York Red Bulls vs Toronto FC – 6:30 p.m.
Columbus Crew vs Sporting Kansas City – 6:30 p.m.
St. Louis CITY vs Atlanta United – 7:30 p.m.
Nashville SC vs NYCFC – 7:30 p.m.
Real Salt Lake vs L.A. Galaxy – 8:30 p.m.
LAFC vs San Jose Earthquakes – 9:30 p.m.

Games That Matter

D.C. United vs Houston Dynamo – 6:30 p.m.
Houston is tied with Austin on points and if the playoffs started today, would host the play-in game between the two teams.  The Dynamo also have a game in-hand.  Pretty easy decision on to root for here.  We need a D.C. win.
The Side:  D.C. United
ATX Impact Score:  5

Colorado Rapids vs CF Montreal – 8:30 p.m.
Montreal is unbeaten in their last five matches.  Of course, four of those results have been draws, but still, they are pesky.  The Rapids are just four points ahead of Austin, so we need them to drop points whenever possible.  Another Montreal draw would be a welcome result here.
The Side:  Montreal, but a tie is good too
ATXFC Impact Score:  3.5

Seattle Sounders vs FC Dallas – 9:30 p.m.
These two teams are right behind Austin for the final playoff spot entering this weekend.  The absolute best combination of results is an Austin win and a Seattle/Frisco draw.  Only problem is that Frisco may have figured some things out after firing Nico Estevez, winning two straight since his sacking.
The Side:  Draw please
ATX Impact Score:  4

Portland Timbers vs Vancouver Whitecaps – 9:30 p.m.
Portland is tied with Austin on points.  Vancouver is one point ahead.  It’s the inverse of the previous match, but the exact same result is needed: a draw.  That coupled with an Austin win vaults ATX to at least 7^th place.
The Side:  Tie, tie, tie my darlings
ATX Impact Score:  4