Do you like goals? Then boy howdy did MLS provide for you last week!
One would think scoring may revert to the mean a little this weekend across the league as the stars of MLS should be tired from kicking Liga MX’s all over Minnesota. But it’s MLS, so expect chaos at all times. The Western Conference is nuts right now. LAFC has a 6-point lead over Austin FC. Austin has a 9-point cushion on 3rd place FC Dallas. But 3rd through 11th are separated by just 6 points.
Let’s get to the task of figuring out who to root for in these scrums.
- All ratings are on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being the most impactful towards ATXFC.
Games That Make You Go Meh
New York Red Bulls vs Orlando City – Saturday @ 5:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
FC Cincinnati vs Atlanta United FC – Saturday @ 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
Philadelphia Union vs Chicago Fire – Saturday @ 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
New England Revolution vs D.C. United – Saturday @ 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
Inter Miami CF vs NYCFC – Saturday @ 7:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
Houston Dynamo vs Club de Foot Montreal – Saturday @ 8:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
Games That Matter
Toronto FC vs Portland Timbers – Saturday @ 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
This game is the epitome of why MLS is great. Toronto enters the week 13th in the East yet find themselves just 4 points out of the final playoff spot. And believe me, there isn’t a single team in that conference that wants to see Toronto in Round 1 after their recent signings. On the other side is a Portland team that is doing Portland things. In true Timbers fashion, they struggled early in the year but have now battled into playoff contention at 7th place in the West. Huge game for both teams, but as an ATXFC fan, I’d rather see Portland visiting Q2 Stadium for Round 1 than the Sounders or Galaxy.
The Side: Portland Timbers
ATXFC Impact Watch Score: 4.5
Colorado Rapids vs Columbus Crew – Saturday @ 8:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
Colorado is rapidly moving up the standings!
The raging rivers are just 3 points out of the playoffs and have scored 9 goals in their last two games. They’ll host a Columbus team that has lost just once since May 21st. Another case here of rooting for the lower seeded Western Division team in an attempt to avoid Seattle and Chicharito.
The Side: Colorado Rapids
ATXFC Impact Watch Score: 3.69
FC Dallas vs San Jose Earthquakes – Saturday @ 8:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
Frisco is in 3rd place but is also just 3 points clear of the playoff line. Now they get to contend with the chaos grenade known as San Jose. Hope for the Quakes to put Southern Oklahoma into the same despair we suffered last week, but don’t make the mistake of expecting it.
The Side: San Jose
ATXFC Impact Watch Score: 3
L.A. Galaxy vs Vancouver Whitecaps – Saturday @ 9:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
A 6-pointer! Both teams have 30 points and sit just outside of the playoff line. This could easily be an elimination game. I’ve already made my feelings known about playing L.A. in October. Easy decision here.
The Side: Caps!
ATXFC Impact Watch Score: 3.5
LAFC vs FC Charlotte – Saturday @ 9:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
Lets go McKenzie Gaines!
The Side: Mint City, USA
ATXFC Impact Watch Score: 2.75
Nashville SC vs Minnesota United FC – Sunday @ 8:00 p.m. (FS1)
This should be a fun game for the National TV audience. Both teams are currently above the playoff line and both are fighting for their lives as well. It hasn’t been talked about much, but Nashville hasn’t been particularly good at Geodis Park. The Coyotes are just 3-3-5 at their new digs, which is a big change from the previous home dominance while at Nissan Stadium. Minnesota lost last week for the first time in over a month and have allowed 8 goals in their last two matches. Give me MLS After Dark in all it’s glory!
The Side: Draw please
ATXFC Impact Watch Score: 2.25
Seattle Sounders vs Real Salt Lake – Sunday @ 9:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
Atlanta stunned Seattle with a stoppage time game-winning goal last weekend, giving the Sounders their 5th loss in 7 games. If the playoffs started today, Seattle would be on the sidelines for the first time since joining MLS. RSL is in that Frisco/Nashville/Minnesota/Portland deathmatch trying to stay above the line. Seattle would jump above RSL with a win here. We’ll cheer for them to drop points.
The Side: RSL
ATXFC Impact Watch Score: 4.25
- Side note: this is still the funniest box score in MLS history.
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.