Verde family, I gotta tell you, I’m pissed off. Not necessarily at the 6-3 shellacking last weekend in swampy St. Louis. Yes, it sucked, and I did not enjoy it at all, but its MLS and that shit happens on occasion. The reason I’m pissed off is because I missed out on obvious free money by not finding a way to bet the over on the game. Everything, and I mean everything, screamed TAKE THE OVER in blinking neon lights like Dirk Diggler discovering his name in a dream.
- Austin FC gives up a lot of goals against high-pressing teams. Guess what St. Louis lives and dies on? You guessed it: the high press.
- ATX had allowed three goals in both Leagues Cup matches. CITY had just given up 4 to Club América.
- It was Sunday night MLS After Dark. Of course stupid shit was going to happen!
I failed you friends and for that, I’m sorry. Free money would have taken some of the sting out of the game at least.
Turning to this week, it’s rivalry time with Copa Tejas on the line. If you aren’t aware, here are the scenarios.
A draw or better and we’re dancing in a Frisco parking lot while a stupid drone show plays overhead!
As for the rest of MLS…..
MLS Sickos Game of the Week
New York Red Bulls vs Inter Miami (6:30 p.m. – Apple TV)
“Uncle Tony P, how can a game with Messi’s team be a Sickos Game?!”
Well dear reader, what if I told you that I fully expect Messi to sit this one out? And Busquets too. Tata Martino has already explicitly stated how those guys are feeling fatigue after playing so many matches in a short window. Which means this game is between the club with the fewest points in MLS and a New York side that isn’t all that good. By the way, this is the current get-in price for the game.
Have fun paying that kind of money to see Messi hang out on the bench.
6:30 p.m. Block (All games on Apple TV – *Denotes free match)
Club de Foot Montreal vs New England Revolution*
Atlanta United vs Nashville SC*
FC Charlotte vs LAFC
FC Cincinnati vs NYCFC
Columbus Crew vs Toronto FC
D.C. United vs Philadelphia Union*
Orlando City vs St Louis CITY
None of these games have any direct affect on Austin FC, so we’re not too concerned with who wins or loses. I will say if you’re going to watch any of them, make it the two cross-conference games. City vs CITY should be fun and the teams are only separated by 4 points overall, meaning it’s a much closer matchup that one would think when a 1st place team is involved. As for LAFC, I’m curious to see how their game travels right now. They have been excellent since getting healthy again, but this is a short week and a cross-country flight to play on artificial turf. Recipe for an upset?
7:30 p.m. Block (All games on Apple TV – *Denotes free match)
Sporting Kansas City vs San Jose Earthquakes*
San Jose enters this game three points ahead of Austin. Sporting are currently 5 points below the playoff line and have played one more game than everyone else in the West. Usually, I would want separation from the bottom, but I don’t think SKC is a real threat to make the post-season. Let’s make some ground up on San Jose.
The Side: Sporting dubs
ATX Impact Rating: 3.75
8:30 p.m. Block (All games on Apple TV )
Real Salt Lake vs Houston Dynamo
THANK YOU SCHEDULING GODS! If you missed Wednesday night’s Open Cup semi-final, you missed a lot.
- First, Houston won in 120 minutes by a score of 3-1.
- Second, RSL lost a chance to host the Open Cup final against Messi and Miami while also missing out on a CONCACAF Champions berth for next year. Houston now has that spot but has to travel to Miami for the final.
- Finally, there was an actual fight that broke out with closed fists being used and everything late in the match by RSL’s Brayan Vera.
And now to the fun part. Vera is eligible for this match tomorrow because it’s a different competition than U.S. Open Cup.
Tune in for the punches. Stay for Houston losing.
The Side: Real Salty
ATX Impact Rating: 4.5
9:30 p.m. Block (All games on Apple TV )
Portland Timbers vs Vancouver Whitecaps
L.A. Galaxy vs Chicago Fire
Oh Vancouver, do I feel sorry for you. The ‘Caps begin a 7-game road trip this week during the most crucial part of the season while they battle for the playoffs. They currently sit in a tie for 8th and are just one point above the playoff line. And oh yeah, they have just one win on the road all year (I won’t remind you of where that happened).
Realistically, we need Portland to take care of business here. The Timbers aren’t making the playoffs, so taking any points from a team on the fringe only helps Austin. How Portland reacts with a new gaffer is yet to be seen though.
The Side: Voodoo Doughnuts
ATX Impact Rating: 4.25
Sunday Funday!!! (3:30 p.m. – Apple TV / Fox )
Minnesota United vs Seattle Sounders
Sunday afternoon soccer sounds delightful. Seattle sits at 36 points and is coming off of a home loss to Atlanta. The Sounders, quite frankly, aren’t very good right now. Now they head to Minnesota before coming to Q2 in the mid-week. The Loons are tied with the Whitecaps at 31 points and are currently in the final playoff spot.
Realistically, we want to reserve judgement on who to cheer for until Sunday morning after a full night of results roll in, but if we have to pick now, make it a draw.
The Side: Draw….maybe
ATX Impact Rating: 4.5
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.