MLS Cheering Guide – Match Day 28

You know what I think I enjoyed almost as much as beating the shit out of LAFC last Friday night?  Having the entire rest of the weekend to kick back and watch everyone else duke it out while I basically did this:

Good times.  But we must move on quickly as there is a full slate of mid-week games coming this Wednesday and we have to figure out who to cheer for in those contests.  But as always with mid-week madness, QUICK HITS!

• All ratings are on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being the most impactful towards ATXFC.
  

Games That Make You Go Meh

Games With Playoff Implications That Don’t Affect ATXFC

Columbus Crew vs Inter Miami CF – 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
Club de Foot Montreal vs NY Red Bulls – 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
New England Revolution vs Chicago Fire – 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
NYCFC vs D.C. United – 7:00 p.m. (ESPN+)

Games That Matter

Philadelphia Union vs Atlanta United – 6:00 p.m. (FS1)
Philly is the only other club chasing LAFC for the Supporters’ Shield.  They’ve also gone full Ivan Drago on opponents recently:

I’m rooting for you 5-Stripes, but I don’t like your chances.
The Side: Atlanta United
ATXFC Impact Rating:  3.5

Orlando City vs Seattle Sounders – 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
The Sounders are in trouble.  They now find themselves four points behind the last playoff spot and could be left out of the post-season completely for the first time since joining MLS.  They will get an Orlando squad flying high after beating NYCFC on the final play Sunday night.  A Sounders loss here may be the final nail in their coffin.  Do it Orlando.
The Side: Orlando
ATXFC Impact Rating:  4.75

Toronto FC vs L.A. Galaxy – 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
This one is gonna be fun.  Toronto is still 3 points back of the Eastern Conference playoffs but are charging hard.  Meanwhile L.A. are above the line in the West with a game (or two) in-hand.  I’m still on the “don’t want to play the Galaxy” train, so here’s hoping they keep moving up towards 4^th or 5^th.
The Side: L.A.
ATXFC Impact Rating:  4.5

Nashville SC vs Colorado Rapids – 7:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
This game feels like a must win for both teams.  A Nashville win + an Austin win gives the Coyotes some breathing room above the playoff line.  A Colorado win keeps them in the hunt, but a loss may just be their season.
The Side: I just hope both teams have fun
ATXFC Impact Rating:  3

Houston Dynamo vs LAFC – 7:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
Houston is playing for pride.  They are last in the West and aren’t going to the playoffs……again.

But, for this night, I hope they find their pride.  If LAFC wilts in the Texas heat for a 2^nd time in less than a week, the Supporters’ Shield race is back on.
The Side: Regrettably, Houston
ATXFC Impact Rating:  4.25

Real Salt Lake vs Minnesota United FC – 8:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
RSL went to Frisco on Saturday, pulled out a draw, and fell to 6^th place.  Life in the middle of the playoff pack is tough.  They do have a game in-hand on 5^th place Nashville and two games in-hand on 4^th place FC Dallas, so I still think they can climb up a few rungs.  On the other side, Minnesota continues to be the only real threat to Austin for 2^nd place as they stayed 7 points back.  I’d like more cushion.
The Side: RSL
ATXFC Impact Rating:  4