Welcome to the time in the MLS season where the term “6-pointer” becomes part of the match week preview! What is a 6-pointer you ask? It’s when two teams battling for similar playoff positions face-off in a game. If one team picks up the win, they gain three points while the other theoretically loses out on three points, making it a 6-pointer. Now let’s figure out who we want to win those games for the betterment of Austin FC.
- All ratings are on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being the most impactful towards ATXFC.
Games That Make You Go Meh
FC Charlotte vs Chicago Fire – Saturday @ 6:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
Orlando City vs New England Revolution – Saturday @ 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
Club de Foot Montreal vs Inter Miami CF – Saturday @ 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
D.C. United vs New York Red Bulls – Saturday @ 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
Columbus Crew vs NYCFC – Saturday @ 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
Games That Matter
Vancouver Whitecaps vs Houston Dynamo – Friday @ 9:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
This feels like an elimination game. A loss likely ends any faint playoff hopes for either team. A draw may doom them both. Look, if someone must go down, I’d prefer it to be Houston.
The Side: Whitecaps
ATX Impact Watch Rating: 2
Atlanta United vs Seattle Sounders – Saturday @ 2:00 p.m. (ABC)
This game should be interesting. Atlanta feels like they are kaput for the year, but then you look at the standings and realize that they are only 4 points out of a playoff spot with a game in hand. On the other side, Seattle has finally found themselves above the playoff line after a mid-week win over Frisco. They too have a game in hand and have room to move further up the standings, especially with a healthy Raul Ruidiaz back in the fold.
ATL, I like you. But I want nothing to do with Seattle in Round 1 of the playoffs. Move on up Sounders.
The Side: Jingle Bells Singers
ATX Impact Watch Rating: 4.25
Nashville SC vs Toronto FC – Saturday @ 7:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
Nashville’s mid-week draw at Portland has them clinging to the 6th spot in the playoffs, just above the line. Now they get to go back home on short rest and play a revamped and rejuvenated Toronto squad featuring Insigne, Bernardeschi, Criscito, et al. Don’t let the standings fool you. No one wants to play Bob Bradley’s team right now. We’re OK if they knock Nashville down a peg.
The Side: Little Italy
ATX Impact Watch Rating: 4
Sporting KC vs L.A. Galaxy – Saturday @ 7:30 p.m. (Unimas/TUDN/Twitter)
This is a huge match for L.A. The Galaxy are still 2 points out of a playoff spot and cannot afford to drop points against Wooden Spoon leaders SKC. Sporting has lost five straight at home, and as they say, all streaks must come to an end at some point. Doing that this week would be quite acceptable.
The Side: Sporting Lesser BBQ
ATX Impact Watch Rating: 3.75
Colorado Rapids vs Minnesota United – Saturday @ 8:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
The Loons are on a tear as they are now unbeaten in their last 7 MLS matches. This hot stretch has vaulted them into 3rd place in the Western Conference and they don’t seem to be slowing down. However, a trip to face a desperate Colorado team may be the kryptonite. The Rapids are 5 points out of the playoffs and this feels like a do or die moment for them. I’d much rather play Colorado in the opening round than some other teams, plus widening the gap between ATXFC and 3rd place is never a bad thing.
The Side: Fast and Dangerous Water
ATX Impact Watch Rating: 2.25
Real Salt Lake vs LAFC – Saturday @ 9:00 p.m. (Unimas/TUDN/Twitter)
I think this game is all kinds of fascinating. RSL have lost just once at the RioT all season and are in a dogfight for a top 4 seed. LAFC still must keep winning with Philadelphia and Austin FC on their heels for the Supporters’ Shield. Plus, there’s the added fatigue factor, as LAFC played a spirited mid-week friendly against Club America and now have to deal with a solid RSL team at altitude. Great chance for Austin to pick up points here.
The Side: Kings of the Salty Lake
ATX Impact Watch Rating: 4.75
Portland Timbers vs FC Dallas – Saturday @ 9:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
Frisco finishes a Cascadia road trip with a weekend visit to Providence Park. It’s a true “6 pointer” as both teams are battling to make the October knockout tournament. The Toros lost at Seattle on Tuesday and another defeat here could temporarily knock them below the playoff line. Would we like that?
The Side: The Other Weird City
ATX Impact Watch Rating: 4
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.