MLS Cheering Guide: Volume 4, Match Day 21

It’s Friday afternoon.  You know what that means!  That’s right, it’s time for your weekly dose of MLS schadenfreude.

But first, let’s check in our own Austin FC.  The boys picked up a surprising 1-0 win in Minnesota last week without the services of Driussi, Pereira, Cascante, and Valencia, putting the squad back into 8^th place for now.  But my friends, the West is a jumbled mess.

Another road match awaits this week at Kansas City and getting at least one point is a must before returning to Q2 Stadium for nearly the entirety of July.  Because when you’re MLS and you can schedule a bunch of home games in a place where it’s regularly 100+ degrees in July, you gotta do it.

Let’s get to it for this week’s MLS Cheering Guide.  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.

All games this weekend are on Apple TV.

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.

Atlanta United vs Toronto FC – 6:30 p.m.
CF Montreal vs Philadelphia Union – 6:30 p.m.
New England Revolution vs Columbus Crew – 6:30 p.m.
New York Red Bulls vs D.C. United – 6:30 p.m.
Nashville SC vs Inter Miami – 7:30 p.m.
San Jose Earthquakes vs L.A. Galaxy – 9:30 p.m.

Games That Matter

FC Dallas vs FC Cincinnati – 7:30 p.m.
This is merely about furthering the gulf between Frisco and the final playoff spot.  Cincy should be looking for a bounce back game after shockingly losing at home last week to New England.
The Side:  Knifey-Lions
ATX Impact Score: 2.5

Houston Dynamo vs FC Charlotte – 7:30 p.m.
Charlotte has just one loss in their last 10 league matches.  Houston is unbeaten in their last five.  This might be one of the better games of the weekend, but we really need the Dynamo to drop points at every opportunity.
The Side:  Carolina Blues
ATX Impact Score: 4.5

Vancouver Whitecaps vs St. Louis CITY – 9:30 p.m.
The ‘Caps are two points behind Austin with two games in hand.  They will be battling for a playoff spot and positioning throughout the rest of the season.  CITY are probably cooked based on how their season is going, so an upset here would be helpful.
The Side:  All caps CITY
ATX Impact Score: 4.5

LAFC vs Colorado Rapids – 9:30 p.m.
This game is all about the Rapids for us.  LAFC is in their own separate fight for the top of the West with the Galaxy and Salt Lake, but the Rapids lead the 2^nd tier of playoff spots today.  A Raps loss would really jumble up spots 4-9 in the conference.
The Side:  L.A.’s 3^rd MLS team
ATX Impact Score: 3.25

Seattle Sounders vs Chicago Fire – 9:30 p.m.
This match just got really interesting.  Seattle is right on our heels for the playoffs, but it looks like Raul Ruidiaz and Nouhou will be out for this match due to a locker room argument with head coach Brian Schmetzer.  Maybe it opens the door for a bad Chicago team to steal a result?
The Side:  Fired Up
ATX Impact Score: 3.75

Portland Timbers vs Minnesota United – 9:30 p.m.
Both of these teams are right in that meaty middle of the playoff pack, thus both sides dropping points is best for business.
The Side:  Just hope both teams have fun
ATX Impact Score: 3.0