Tuesday’s seven fixtures produced some crackerjack soccer. There were two #cupsets (congrats to Louisville City and Colorado Springs) and two others that went to a shootout. Rhode Island showed they need more practice from the spot, but Sacramento Republic took Minnesota all the way into twelve rounds before missing in sudden death.
Let’s hope today’s fixtures give us the same drama.
FC Naples (USL-1) vs. Orlando City SC (MLS)
Kickoff: 7:00pm ET/4:00pm PT
Paradise Coast Sports Complex, Naples, Florida
It has to be said up front: Orlando City is probably going to lose this game. Forget that FC Naples is two divisions lower. Looking purely at form, Naples would be the favorite. They’ve won four of the last five via shutouts; that loss was by a slim 1-0 scoreline. Orlando, on the other hand, have lost three of their last five by a combined score of 17-0. Even by American football standards, that’s a beatdown.
Prediction: #Cupset! FC Naples win 3-1. Antoine Griezmann begins to re-think his decision.
Charlotte FC (MLS) vs. Charlotte Independence (USL-1)
Kickoff: 7:30pm ET/4:30pm PT
Mecklenburg County Sportsplex at Matthews, Matthews, North Carolina
You’d think that this fixture would have a catchy title like other local derbies, but it’s actually the first time these two franchises have ever met in a competitive match. So here’s a toast to the inaugural Queen City Derby!
Given the gross disparity between USL-1 and MLS sides, you have to favor the teal and blue. It doesn’t help that FC have had a particularly strong run of form lately. They’ve drawn Inter Miami, suffered a narrow 2-1 feat to conference leaders Nashville, and won the other three by a cumulative 11-3. The Jacks (Independence) already have one #cupset, toppling Charleston Battery 3-2 in extra time. Let’s hope this match sparks a rivalry that can live up to the nifty name we just bestowed upon it.
Prediction: The game will go into extra time at 1-1, but Charlotte FC will get the winner.
Chattanooga FC (MLS Next Pro) vs. Atlanta United FC (MLS)
Kickoff: 7:30pm ET/4:30pm PT
Finley Stadium, Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga FC is the lowest ranked team still alive in the competition. They compete in the MLS Next Pro’s Eastern Division, one of four teams not affiliated with an MLS club. They’re in 5th place, right above Atlanta United 2 (yes, the Five Stripes’ academy team). They’re undefeated in their last five games, with four wins and a draw. With their home field advantage, they have got to be pumped at this opportunity.
Atlanta United will have to be very careful. We already saw one MLS side crash out to a USL-C side, but it’s another thing altogether to lose to a 4th division side. It’s an embarrassment that’s hard to live down.
Prediction: My heart wants Chattanooga, but realistically Atlanta will prevail 3-0.
D.C. United (MLS) vs. One Knoxville (USL-1)
Kickoff: 7:30pm ET/4:30pm PT
Audi Field, Washington, District of Columbia
If this fixture was at Covenant Health Field in Knoxville, I’d carve my #cupset prediction in stone. Although Audi Field is no fortress for D.C. United, it will still represent a challenge for the visitors. One Knox might be undefeated in five, but three of those results were draws. Of course, that’s better form than United, who have three losses in five. Their biggest problem is up front, where they have only scored four goals, the lowest total in MLS.
Prediction: #Cupset! One Knoxville will squeak by 1-0.
Red Bull New York (MLS) vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL-C)
Kickoff: 7:30pm ET/4:30pm PT
Red Bull Arena, Harrison, New Jersey
Visiting Pittsburgh is a far cry from last year’s side that scraped and clawed their way to the USL Championship title. Their road form has been anemic, and the stubborn defense that earned them three straight 0-0 draws in the post-season has evaporated. Given the equally horrible defending that Red Bull has exhibited so far, I’d be inclined to give Pittsburgh some benefit, but I don’t think their offense is strong enough to take advantage. RBNY, on the contrary, have some exceptional attacking talent and should carve them up.
Yes, I’m aware of last year’s stoppage time miracle header by Beto Ydrach to upset NYCFC. And no, I’m not buying that lightning can strike twice.
Prediction: RBNY 3-0.
Richmond Kickers (USL-1) vs. Columbus Crew (MLS)
Kickoff: 7:30pm ET/4:30pm PT
City Stadium, Richmond, Virginia
Columbus has been pretty crap this season. That said, Richmond Kickers have been even worse; they’re dead last in the USL-1 table. The quality gap between the clubs is too great for Richmond to overcome, and Columbus has too much pride to suffer a loss.
Prediction: Columbus Cruise (get it?) to a 4-1 win.
Houston Dynamo FC (MLS) vs. El Paso Locomotive FC (USL-C)
Kickoff: 8:00pm ET/5:00pm PT
Shell Energy Stadium, Houston, Texas
This Battle of the Texas Timezones has warning bells clamoring for Houston. Dynamo has shipped 16 goals in 6 games. Los Locos have scored 14 goals in 5 games. When you put a side averaging 2.8 goals/game against one that concedes 2.65… well… you get the idea. Enjoy the tailgating, Houston fans, it’s all the fun you’re gonna get in this one.
Prediction: #Cupset! El Paso wins 2-0.
St. Louis CITY SC (MLS) vs. FC Tulsa (USL-C)
Kickoff: 8:00pm ET/5:00pm PT
Energizer Park, St. Louis, Missouri
Neither side looks good coming into this one. Tulsa languishes in the bottom of the Western table, not conceding but scoring either. The same could be said for hosts St. Louis. When two teams with limp attacks and fairly stiff defenses come together there are two possibilities. One, the game is boring as hell. Two, it’s a knock-down, no-holds-barred shootout with goals galore. Only the most diehard of ultras supporters will come out to the pitch on an evening where showers are expected to roll in mid-match. Let’s hope the second option is served up.
Prediction: Draw. Extra time. Shootout. Then flip a coin.
San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) vs. Phoenix Rising FC (USL-C)
Kickoff: 10:00pm ET/7:00pm PT
PayPal Park, San Jose, California
In years past I would look at this fixture with trepidation for the Quakes. But not this season. The hosts have discovered a whole new gear, and are purring along like a well oiled machine. It’s a squad where long-ignored journeymen and up-and-coming youth have suddenly flourished. Where a central defensive pair of 22 and 26 year olds is allowing 0.3 goals per game. Ironically, San Jose may start an OLDER squad for this one, in contrast to the typical “play the kids” mentality.
Does this mean that Phoenix are doomed? No. But they’ll need to produce something exceptional and at this moment that excellence has eluded them. If not for some last minute heroics in their home stadium, where heat fatigue plays a huge role, they’d be on four points instead of six and sit much lower in the table.
Prediction: San Jose Earthquakes win 2-0.
