Austin FC enters it’s first derby week of the season sitting in 2nd place both in the West and the Supporter’s Shield standings with 17 points through 8 games. For perspective, ATXFC did not reach 17 points until August 21st last year on matchday #20. “Easy” early schedule or not, the improvement is real and the playoffs are very much in play. With that, I’m going to add a line to each preview ranking on a scale from 1-5 how closely you should pay attention to each game. Let’s get to our weekly look at who we should all be cheering for this week and understand how each matchup affects the Verde & Black.
Toronto FC vs FC Cincinnati – Saturday @ 2:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
Toronto has been surprisingly decent after a rough start to the season. FC Cincinnati has been valiant, but they look like a team who doesn’t want to give up their fourth straight Wooden Spoon without a fight.
The Side: An afternoon nap
ATX Impact Watch Scale Rating: 1
Real Salt Lake vs L.A. Galaxy – Saturday @ 2:30 p.m. (Univision/TUDN/Twitter)
This game has the potential to be sneaky good. RSL will play just their 4th home MLS match of the year and have yet to lose at the RioT whenever a Hailstorm isn’t imminent. Meanwhile the 3rd place Galaxy are unbeaten in their last four matches, with three of those being wins. We wouldn’t mind if RSL ends that streak.
The Side: Real Salt Lake
ATX Impact Watch Scale Rating: 4
Club de Foot Montréal vs Atlanta United – Saturday @ 3:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
Both clubs are sitting on 11 points in a crowded Eastern Conference table. They played a banger of a match last month where the ATL stole a point from the jaws of defeat. But right now, Atlanta can’t score. Club de Foot can.
The Side: Club de Foot Montréal
ATX Impact Watch Scale Rating: 1
Columbus Crew vs D.C. United – Saturday @ 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
Two MLS originals square off underneath the leaky roof. Both teams are currently sitting on 9 points and are just one point back of a playoff spot in a jam-packed East. D.C. may have found a secret weapon last week though in the form of Taxi Fountas.
The Side: D.C. United
ATX Impact Watch Scale Rating: 2
New England Revolution vs Inter Miami FC – Saturday @ 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
The Eastern Conference is not very good and the Revs have been particularly disappointing this year. On the opposite side, Inter Miami seems to be figuring things out with back-to-back wins and now sits just one point out of the playoffs. Not bad for a team one national writer <cough> Wiebe sucks <cough> dubbed as a “bonus game”.
The Side: Bonus Game FC
ATX Impact Watch Scale Rating: 2
Orlando City vs FC Charlotte- Saturday @ 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
The Lions laid an egg on national TV last Sunday in a 3-0 loss to the Red Bulls. If you didn’t see it, be glad. It was awful soccer. FC Charlotte continues to be interesting in their inaugural season and I think they may be a pest in the East all year long. Watch out Orlando.
The Side: FC McKenzie Gaines
ATX Impact Watch Scale Rating: 1.5
Chicago Fire vs New York Red Bulls – Saturday @ 7:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
Chicago gave up more goals in one game last week (3) than they had allowed in during the entire season to that point. Now they get to go back to Soldier Field and host the Red Bulls, who are tied for the best road start since 1998 (4-0-0). New York is just three points behind ATX in the Supporter’s Shield race.
The Side: Chicago Fire
ATX Impact Watch Scale Rating: 2
Sporting Kansas City vs FC Dallas – Saturday @ 7:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
FC Dallas pulled one of out their ass last week against Houston, coming away with a 2-1 victory to take the early Copa Tejas lead. They are also just two points behind ATXFC in the Western Conference. Sporting, we are respectfully asking for you to somehow fuck their shit up this week.
The Side: Sporting Lesser BBQ
ATX Impact Watch Scale Rating: 4
Colorado Rapids vs Portland Timbers – Saturday @ 8:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
Thanksgiving Day doesn’t seem like it was 5 months ago, does it? That was the last time these two teams faced off as Portland upset Colorado in the playoffs before a packed house. I think the Rapids may be out for revenge. But both teams are currently under the playoff line and we’d like it to stay that way, so a tie would be preferred here.
The Side: Draw
ATX Impact Watch Scale Rating: 3
New York City FC vs San Jose Earthquakes – Sunday @ 12:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
NYCFC goes back to Yankee Stadium after playing at Citi Field in Queens last week, because no one actually wants them despite being a wildly entertaining club. Now they get San Jose, who is the definition of chaos. Anything less than 6 goals combined will be a disappointment.
The Side: Bet the over
ATX Impact Watch Scale Rating: 2
Nashville SC vs Philadelphia Union – Sunday @ 3:00 p.m. (ESPN)
Game of the week! Nashville FINALLY get to play a home game after starting with eight on the road to start the year, and they’ll do so in a shiny new stadium blessed by Soccer Moses. The Eastern Conference’s best team will be the guests and these two have a history. Remember that Philly beat Nashville on penalties in last year’s Eastern Conference playoffs. But this season, the Coyotes find themselves out West, so we aren’t rooting for revenge.
The Side: The Union
ATX Impact Watch Scale Rating: 4.5
LAFC vs Minnesota United – Sunday @ 9:00 p.m. (ESPN)
Oh this is a proper MLS After Dark start time and should be a pretty good match. Pretty simple for ATX fans though. LAFC is the only team standing between Austin and the top of the table. Let’s go Loons.
The Side: Minnesota dontcha know
ATX Impact Watch Scale Rating: 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.