MLS Cheering Guide – Week 32

It’s been a grueling 3 ½ months, but this weekend marks the last set of games before MLS finally takes a break for international play.  Austin FC enters the festivities needing nothing more than a draw at home against Nashville to guarantee at least one playoff match at Q2 Stadium.  But that doesn’t mean we don’t have other rooting interests around the league, so let’s get to work.

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

Games That Make You Go Meh

Chicago Fire vs Charlotte FC – Saturday @ 7:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
LAFC vs Houston Dynamo – Sunday @ 9:30 p.m. (ESPN+)

Games With Playoff Implications That Don’t Affect ATXFC

NYCFC vs New York Red Bulls – Saturday @ 12:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
Atlanta United vs Philadelphia Union – Saturday @ 2:30 p.m. (Unimas/TUDN/Twitter)
Orlando City vs Toronto FC – Saturday @ 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
New England Revolution vs Club de Foot Montreal – Saturday @ 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
D.C. United vs Inter Miami CF – Sunday @ 4:00 p.m. (ESPN+)

Games That Matter

Sporting Kansas City vs Minnesota United – Saturday @ 7:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
Oh look, a Minnesota team battling for a home playoff game gets a nice, easy match against…….

*Music hits*
*Jim Ross wrestling announcer voice*

THAT’S SPORTING KANSAS CITY’S MUSIC!  WHAT THE HELL ARE THEY DOING HERE?!!!

Yeah, this is frightening for Minnesota.

1. It’s a rivalry match.
2. SKC is on fire in their last 8 matches, going 4-2-2.  The only two losses were against Austin FC (giggles).  Sporting aren’t going to make the playoffs, but they are the club no one wants to play right now.

Minnesota is in trouble.  They are 0-3-1 in their last four matches and have been outscored 8-1 over that time.  They’re also in the weird position of being just one point out of 4^th place and the final home playoff spot, but also just 3 points above the cutoff line to make the post-season.  Put bluntly, the Loons need points.   Put even more bluntly, I want to see decision day insanity, so here’s hoping SKC gives ‘em the big boot, the leg drop, and the 1-2-3.
The Side:  Sporting You Into Submission
ATX Impact Watch Score:  3.75

Real Salt Lake vs FC Cincinnati – Saturday @ 8:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
A cross-conference match where each team is clinging on to their playoff lives?

RSL sits 3 points ahead of the Galaxy and 4 points above the Sounders for the final Western Conference playoff spot.  But each of those teams has a game in-hand and right now, both would hold the tiebreaker over the Monarchs if they got even on points.  On the other side, the Knifey Lions are just 3 points above the line as they search for their first ever playoff appearance.

Look, I like you FCC.  I really do.  But I also watched Austin beat the ever living shit out RSL Wednesday night and I love that matchup for ATXFC in Round 1 of the playoffs.  Basically, I need them to stay above the Galaxy and Sounders.
The Side:  The Real Soccer Players of Salt Lake
ATX Impact Watch Score:  4.75

Vancouver Whitecaps vs Seattle Sounders – Saturday @ 9:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
Vancouver = Nothing to play for, nothing to gain, can spoil a rival’s hopes.
Sounders = Everything to play, can keep pace for playoff spot, can beat a rival and potentially make Austin’s life miserable in Round 1.

I choose option A.
The Side:  Let’s Go Caps!
ATX Impact Watch Score:  4.75

L.A. Galaxy vs Colorado Rapids – Saturday @ 9:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
Similar situation as above, except L.A. is the team with something to play for here.  A Galaxy win still allows them to hold their own playoff fate and potentially snag the 7^th seed, meaning a likely date with Austin in Round 1.  I don’t want that, so here’s some unsolicited advice Rapids.  Just foul Chicharito every time and force him to take penalties.  He sucks at those.
The Side:  Colorado Rapids
ATX Impact Watch Score:  4.8

San Jose Earthquakes vs FC Dallas – Saturday @ 9:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
The MLS chaos agents can do Austin a massive favor if they can pull out a result against FC Frisco.  An Austin win combined with a Toros draw or loss would guarantee the Verde & Black the #2 seed in the playoffs, which makes this an extremely easy call.
The Side:  Quake Rattle & Roll
ATX Impact Watch Score:  5

Columbus Crew vs Portland Timbers – Sunday @ 12:00 p.m. (ESPN)
This is going to be a bit odd.  Let me explain.

The Timbers are currently 6^th in the West but can probably climb to 4^th or 5^th with another win or two.  Why does that matter?  Because Austin would then avoid them until at least the Conference Finals.  It would also mean that the Timbers would potentially get a crack at LAFC, which is a matchup that should scare Bale and his golfing buddies.

Basically, I think the Timbers getting 4^th or 5^th is Austin’s best shot at hosting a potential Conference Finals match.
The Side:  Shiver Me Timbers
ATX Impact Watch Score:  3.75