MLS Cheering Guide – Week 16

How ya feelin’ Verde faithful?!  Last week could not have gone much better.  Every team not named Real Salt Lake that is above the Western Conference playoff dropped points.  Hell, Houston and Frisco both lost, all while little ole ATX went on the road and won with 10 men.

But now…..now it’s Derby Week!  But before we get to that, we need to assess what else is happening in the league.  So let’s consult the cheering guide!

Games That Make You Go Meh

FC Cincinnati vs Orlando City – Friday @ 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
Club de Foot Montréal vs Charlotte FC – Saturday @ 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
Toronto FC vs Atlanta United – Saturday @ 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
Inter Miami FC vs Minnesota United – Saturday @ 7:00 p.m. (ESPN+)

Games That Matter

Seattle Sounders vs Sporting Kansas City – Saturday @ 2:00 p.m. (ABC)
So you know how I was recently saying Sporting was probably going to be a non-factor in the playoff chase?  Well that may have changed last week when they became the first team to win in Nashville since November 4, 2020.  They’re still four points out of the final playoff spot (one which Seattle currently occupies) and have played three more games than the Sounders.  BUT, there’s life.  Here’s hoping for a few more heartbeats and stealing some points from Seattle.
The Side: Sporting KC
ATX Impact Score: 3

D.C. United vs Nashville SC – Saturday @ 4:00 p.m. (ESPN)
D.C is not very good.  They do have Taxi Fountas now and he’s a lot of fun to watch.

You know what other team isn’t very good?  Sporting KC.  And all they did was beat Nashville last week.  I’d like a repeat of that, please.
The Side: D.C. United
ATX Impact Score: 2.5

Houston Dynamo vs Chicago Fire – Saturday @ 7:00 p.m. (Unimas/TUDN/Twitter)
Well, at least Chicago will literally feel like they’re on fire while playing.  Fuck Houston.
The Side: Chicago Fire
ATX Impact Score: 3

Real Salt Lake vs Columbus Crew – Saturday @ 9:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
At some point RSL has to revert to the mean.  They have a goal differential of +1, but somehow find themselves in 2^nd place.  I’m just not convinced that the reversion begins this weekend since Columbus isn’t very good and this game is in Utah.  I hate rooting for the Crew, but sometimes you gotta make a business decision.
The Side: Columbus Crew
ATX Impact Score: 4

San Jose Earthquakes vs L.A. Galaxy – Saturday @ 9:00 p.m. (Unimas/TUDN/Twitter)
The West is soooo tight right now.  San Jose sits dead last in the conference, but finds themselves only five points out of the playoffs.  And to me, they’re the perfect “Box of Chocolates team this year:

This week they get to host the Galaxy in the California Clásico.  L.A. is playing on short rest after losing a mid-week U.S. Open Cup match to USL side Sacramento Republic.  Since it was the quarterfinals, the Galaxy played an A lineup, so there could be some tired legs here.  Let’s hope so.
The Side: San Jose Quakes
ATX Impact Score: 4

Portland Timbers vs Colorado Rapids – Saturday @ 9:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
This game almost got the “who cares” treatment since both clubs are currently out of the playoffs, but Colorado is still hanging around and Portland can always turn into PORTLAND at any time.  We’ll just hope they both stay down for another week.
The Side: Draw
ATX Impact Score: 2

LAFC vs New York Red Bulls – Sunday @ 2:00 p.m. (ABC)
This should be a good game.  LAFC is leading the Supporters’ Shield race and the fighting energy drinks are just four points back.  Oh, did I mention that the Red Bulls have only lost twice on the road this season?  Easy decision here since we’re chasing LAFC for first place.
The Side: Red Bullllllll
ATX Impact Score: 5

Philadelphia Union vs NYCFC – Sunday @ 5:00 p.m. (FS1)
This game has zero bearing on ATXFC.  I just wanted to make sure that you watch it because it will be a banger of a match.

2 of the top 3 teams in the East?  Check.
Eastern Conference finals rematch?  Check.
Cities that really don’t like each other?  Check.

Bring. It. On.

Vancouver Whitecaps vs New England Revolution – Sunday @ 7:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
So I laughed hard last week when Vancouver went to Frisco and took three points from the Toros for the second time in a month.  And then I looked at the standings and realized something…….

HOLY SHIT VANCOUVER IS IN THE PLAYOFF HUNT!

They’ve taken 16 points in their last 8 matches and now sit level with Seattle on points (though Seattle has two games in hand).  The Caps are hot.  Here’s hoping the Revs cool them off a bit because Austin needs to start seeing separation in the West.
The Side: Revs
ATX Impact Score: 2