Charles Boehm Twitter Facebook Duplicate "Los Angeles doesn't frighten me, whatsoever. " Official-introduction press conferences don't constantly provide head-turning headline fodder. However Emiliano Rigoni treated us all to that fun little gem on Monday as he made his initial media look in Austin FC's Verde as well as Black, showing a wonderful disregard for the hoary old sporting activities motto regarding not giving your challengers the proverbial 'notice board material' in the run-up to a huge game. Austin FC vs. LAFC We, content developers, appreciate you, Emiliano, even if you just obtained here. And why not have some enjoyable with it? ATX's new masterpiece signing navigated the documents and logistics in the nick of time to be in the mix for LAFC's see to Q2 Arena tomorrow evening (8 pm ET|ESPN, ESPN Deportes), a substantial clash of No. 1 vs. No. 2 in the MLS Western Conference standings as well as two reputable MLS Cup contenders, a fixture LAFC protector Jesus Murillo did not think twice to call "one of the largest video games of the period" on Wednesday. "It's a very wonderful situation," noted Rigoni, appearing like the big-game player his brand-new club needs him to be, "since it's the last stretch of the season where we have a great deal of obligations as well as I believe we have whatever to be able to face [LAFC] in the most effective means. " Can'' t delay to see you under the VERDE lights,. pic. twitter. com/1tJIIQfOir— Austin FC () August 22, 2022 The timetable gods don't usually honor us with a suit this stuffed with suggesting at this point in the season, not to mention on a famous national-television positioning. As well as with those six words over, Rigoni offered a hint of the magnitude of Austin's confidence and excitement as they aim to defeat the Advocates' Shield frontrunners for a 2nd time this year. The Verde handed LAFC their only home obstacle of the period back in May, a 2-1 outcome that advertised the central Texans' climb from expansion strugglers to trophy seekers and one that the Angelinos' head train, Steve Cherundolo, recognized rankled his side-- as well as left them hungry for a taste of revenge this weekend break. The likelihood that a roadway win below would certainly additionally successfully exterminate any kind of remaining Austin hopes of catching the Black Gold in the standings just feeds that additionally. "The table, everybody can review," Cherundolo said on Wednesday. "So there is something at stake in this ready both teams Justin Rasmussen T-Shirt. Definitely from an Austin point of view, a video game they would certainly seem like they wish to and also need to win. We have a little different scenario here in LA, so we have prepared our people as necessary. However the great aspect of this team is, I do not require to inform them: They constantly play to win, and also that will be our position in Austin also. " 8 weeks to go. pic. twitter. com/yYPBMd8VFb— Significant Organization Football () August 22, 2022 Rigoni's statement, and the SoCal-CenTex animosity it might help obtain bubbling, is simply another ingredient that makes Friday night's MLS doubleheader on ESPN (on DAZN in Canada) such a yummy occasion. Portland Timbers vs. Seattle Sounders FC Quickly after Austin-LAFC comes the current installment of arguably the league's most timeless competition, a Cascadia Cup clash between the Portland Timbers and also Seattle Sounders FC at Providence Park (10 pm ET|ESPN, ESPN Deportes) that finds those old adversaries in genuine problem at the wrong end, from their viewpoint, of the Audi 2022 MLS Cup Playoff race. Secured on 33 factors each-- albeit with Seattle holding a game in hand-- the Timbers and Sounders discover themselves in 8th and also 9th area respectively in the West, outside the postseason places and short on momentum as they get to business end of the schedule, a season where both traditionally have actually flourished. One of these two clubs has stood for the Western Conference in every MLS Mug last since 2015, a striking touch that indicates both their regular competitiveness as well as their capability to change right into greater equipment right when it matters most. And yet this time about, a lot of any person choosing the Rave Eco-friendly or RCTID teams to make a cup run is doing so based on their historic track record instead of their current average type. "The playoffs are still within reach, but I do concur with everyone in the room as well as all the fans that time is going out," Sounders head instructor Brian Schmetzer stated after a residence loss to Real Salt Lake earlier this month. "We have actually obtained to figure this out extremely swiftly. " Strength on pic. twitter. com/FHTz5sFZay— Portland Timbers () August 24, 2022 While there's simply adequate rope delegated overlook the "last chance coffee shop" speak this weekend break, both of these PacNW heavyweights are full blast of lagniappe now. And when a derby is additionally absolutely a six-pointer to this degree, it produces must-see TV, whatever your loyalties. "If we're on top, if we're on the bottom, this is a significant video game, for me the most significant competition in MLS. So this never ever lets down; it's mosting likely to be a substantial, significant video game," said Timbers head coach Giovanni Savarese today. "As well as specifically since of where we are, both teams with a need of factors, I believe it's mosting likely to make it a lot more essential. " Most groups in this situation would eliminate to be hosts, let alone at the cauldron in Goose Hollow that PTFC call house. Yet the visitors have actually typically been exceptional in this competition for the previous numerous years, often doing damage on the counterattack, against the run of play. That makes this something of a gut look for the Rose City supporters also. "For our fans, we anticipate them to be supporting us 100% completely and also we really feel that even within that, we need to make them honored-- and win the Cascadia Cup, because that's one more point for us that is necessary," stated Savarese. "So there's a lot of, many things to speak about about this game that makes it so fascinating. Yet the great thing is that the guys have been working well, they're psychologically focused on on this video game. We have actually already spoken regarding last video game enough and we're ready to play. " Charles Boehm -