1. FC Dallas vs. Houston Dynamo – MLS
Both fell a little in the Western Division standings recently, but are still holding playoff slots. A result here for #5 Houston would be sweet against their Texas rival.
B. Vancouver Whitecaps vs Seattle Sounders FC – MLS
Conversely, these sides climbed a little. The Sounders are now in first, while Vancouver climbed into the 6th and final playoff slot. For the moment.
3. FC Copenhagen vs. FC Qarabag – UEFA Champions League
This looks like the most interesting of the five games for this event today. Qarabag leads 1-0 on aggregate. Remember: this is the Playoff (fourth) Round. Winner gets to the Group Stage, the “competition proper”.
4. Monterrey vs. Toluca – Liga MX
Last Clausura’s #2 and #4. Early this Clausura, #1 vs. #4. Two of North America’s best teams.
5. Sacramento Republic vs. Swope Park Rangers – USL
Rangers are in the top-heavy Western Division’s top four, so they’re probably playing for playoff seeding now. Sacramento is #5, trying to stay above the line.
6. Cheltanham Town vs. West Ham United – EFL Cup
C-Town plays in the fourth tier of England”s football pyramid, and so should be toast against the Premiere League side. At least the Robins are hosting, so they won’t have to wait long to jump into one of the town’s famous spas.
7. Flamengo vs. Botafogo – Copa do Brasil
We’re down to the semis. The first leg of the tie was scoreless. This is important because of away-goals as a tiebreaker. If Botafogo can manage even a single goal, they advance to the Final even if this game ends in a draw.
8. Kawasaki Frontale vs. Urawa Red Diamonds – AFC Champions League
This is a quarterfinal for Asia’s CL. It seems a more teams from the same countries are paired off this round for it to be more than coincidence. Go, Urawa. Gym, tan, sushi!
The Situation indicates where the sushi ends up.
9. Arabe Unido vs. Aguila – CONCACAF League
The Panamanians host this end of the quarterfinal tie already leading 2-0 on aggregate. They should advance to face who I believe to be the tournament favorites – Santos de Guapiles of Costa Rica.
10. Gor Mahia vs. Posta Rangers – Kenya Premier
The top two Kenyan clubs do battle. Fun fact: Gor Mahia is named for a a mythological medicineman of the Luo people.
-Not- a Luo medcineman, but rather a Luo warrior. I desperately hope this isn’t offensive, but Noob imagines he’s at a football game, refreshing himself with an ice-cold Sierra Mist through that wicked-looking straw
