You might have run across the paradigm shifting revelation last week, from Stanford neurobiologist Robert Sapolsky, that humans don’t have free will after all. Now, you have an opportunity to disprove him in the coming weeks.
He might say that for whatever factors might be compelling you to root for Austin FC, you can’t shed that affiliation for a few short weeks to adopt another team for playoff-rooting purposes. But, really, what does a MacArthur genius grant winner know about the play-in round?
So, let’s start with those two games on Wednesday evening that might look like boring midweek June matchups to the eye, but actually starts us on the quest for the Anschutz Trophy.
The play-in matches
New York Red Bulls (No. 8, East) vs. Charlotte FC (No. 9, East)
Wednesday, Oct. 25, 6:30 p.m. CT
On one hand, Red Bulls play what’s as close to the opposite of Wolffball as exists in MLS. On the other hand, Red Bulls play what’s as close to the opposite of Wolffball as exists in MLS! And John Tolkin is legitimately as fun a fullback as you’ll find in MLS.
On the other end, you have a Charlotte team that’s buzzing from stuffing Lionel Messi and Inter Miami on Decision Day, winning 1-0 to ascend from 12th to 9th. Kristijan Kahlina was a beast in goal against the GOAT, saving a close-range free kick that should have gone in for narrative purposes, but did not.
Also, Sir Minty is a kick-ass mascot who makes my heart sing.
Still, ride the Red Bulls, who will give Knifey Lion the most interesting of the 1/8 matchups possible.
Sporting Kansas City (No. 8, West) vs. San Jose Earthquakes (No. 9, West)
Wednesday, Oct. 25, 8:30 p.m. CT
So, first, San Jose. Sort of Austin’s nemesis, good front line, good one-named goalkeeper, Luchi Gonzalez is a fantastic coach. They’ve been kind of meh when it mattered, though, getting four draws and a loss in their last five matches to sputter into the playoffs.
Why have that when you can have Sporting Kansas City, a total hot mess that righted itself a third of the way through the season, starting 0-7-3 (yep, winless in their first 10 matches, and ending on a 12-7-5 run in the final 24 matches. Plus, if SKC makes it, that sets up a developing in-state rivalry for the 1/8 matchup.
If you’re a Mexico fan, SKC has Alan Pulido. If you’re an older fan, SKC has Johnny Russell and Tim Melia.
Sorry, Quakes fans, but SKC just sounds more fun.
