ClapThe MLS season has already provided us with a series of twists and turns, which we’ve all kind of come to expect over the years. This is the point of the campaign where teams sit back and really analyse what they need to do in order to make it into the play-offs. The desperation is there for everyone to see, and we’ll be the first ones to tell you that we are here for it.
As reported by MLS Soccer and Goal.com, one of the most intriguing games in relation to Major League Soccer this weekend will be contested between LAFC and Atlanta United. While these may be two of the ‘fresher’ franchises within the history books of this great league, they certainly don’t play like teams that haven’t been together all that long. In fact, it’s quite the opposite – and they actually play with a great deal of passion, which is backed up by their loyal fanbases.
Battling back
This weekend’s game is going to be really important for both the Eastern and the Western Conferences, as these two teams are positioned towards the top of their respective divisions. One of them, as we know, is the reigning MLS Cup champions, whereas the other has been viewed as the favourites for the crown since the season began.
For Los Angeles FC, though, they need to try and prove that they’re still the Kings of the West after they were beaten by local rivals LA Galaxy in their latest outing. It was one of those games where you could just feel the momentum shifting, and while we don’t want to give him the attention that he craves, that big Swede had a big part to play in that.
They are still one of the favourites to reign supreme as the champions when the dust settles at the end of the campaign, but it just feels like they need to calm things down a little bit. They’re starting to hobble over the line as opposed to surging, and one of the primary traits you need to possess in the play-offs is momentum.
Making a statement
On the opposite end of the spectrum you’ve got Atlanta, who only really put pressure on themselves. Nobody else thinks all too much about their chances or what they’re going to be able to produce, because let’s face it, they’ve already hit the pinnacle by winning the MLS Cup last season.
Sure, there’s an expectation as to what you can expect from them, but psychologically speaking we really do feel like they’ve got the advantage in this tie. It’s going to take a little while for them to get going in this one, though, and we feel like LAFC are going to try and pin them back from the word go, but as long as they ride out the early storm, they should be fine.
There are a lot of entertaining match-ups this weekend in the MLS, but this one is by far the most intriguing.
