Two weeks ago, we delved into the absurd home field advantage that comes with hosting matches in Major League Soccer.
Since then, it’s gotten nuttier.
The home side was taking 1.85 points per game as of July 10 -- full article here -- and snaring a point or better in more than 82 percent of home fixtures this year.
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Since then, road teams have won a total of two matches in 26 tries moving, making the home team record for the season 107W-67D-34L. That’s now 1.88 points per game and points in close to 84 percent of games.
So, of course, this week’s marquee match-up could defy the trend.
Game of the Week
With apologies to FC Dallas and its three point advantage on Colorado, each conference’s top team will face off Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium.
The Rapids bring their MLS-best 1.9 points-per-game into the match, while NYC currently sits atop the East despite its second humbling at the hands of the Red Bulls.
Colorado has done a masterful job at finding points on the road, with two wins and five draws in nine tries. That should bode well for them despite the cross-country flight, especially when you toss in NYC’s meager 3W-3L-5T mark at home this season.
Elsewhere
Really, it’s a case of studs and duds. The first three matches of Sunday are living in high-five country, while the majority of the 6:30 p.m. ET kickoffs don’t inspire much outside of the Trillium Cup showdown in Toronto and a “Dominic Kinnear Derby” in Texas.
Full schedule
Colorado at NYCFC -- 3 p.m. ET Saturday
Portland at Sporting KC -- 2 p.m. ET Sunday
L.A. Galaxy at Seattle -- 4 p.m. ET Sunday
Vancouver at FC Dallas -- 6 p.m. ET Sunday
Montreal at DC United -- 6:30 p.m. ET Sunday
New York Red Bulls at Chicago -- 7 p.m. ET Sunday
Real Salt Lake at Philadelphia -- 7 p.m. ET Sunday
Columbus at Toronto -- 7:30 p.m. ET Sunday
New England at Orlando City -- 7:30 p.m. ET Sunday
San Jose at Houston -- 9 p.m. ET Sunday