Week 5 Preview: all you need to know
The legion is idle this week. That’s very much a good thing as the team needs the time to evaluate performance to date and for a few more injuries to get healed. We already have Danny Trejo and Tyler Pasher back in action – and looking good. With the break we could see Phanuel Kavita back and Sebastian Tregarthen as well. And the Legion’s new midfielder Sam McIllhatton should be over jet lag by then too.
The most important part
Just to be clear, no, I am not previewing the Stallions game (at Michigan Panthers, tonight 7:00pm, Fox).
Best of the rest
With no Legion game you have a completely open schedule to choose from. Here are our recommendations:
Detroit City v. Monterey Bay FC (Saturday, 3:00pm, ESPN+)
Detroit followed up its draw with the Legion with a loss to Louisville City so have fallen off the pace a tad but remain a contender for sure. Monterey Bay have surprised pretty much everyone. After an opening week 0-1 loss to still-perfect San Antonio they have won three straight, scoring 3 goals in every game. This could be a very entertaining fixture and a home loss would be very useful.
El Paso Locomotive v. Lexington SC (Saturday, 6:00pm, ESPN+)
The Three Sparks’ next opponent started the season in a crazy goal-filled manner but may have reverted to form the past two weeks. They lost 0-1 to New Mexico United and barely got by the very weak Hartford Athletic 2-1 (whom the Legion play Easter weekend). Lexington SC have been similarly unpredictable. They should be a strong squad but are coming off a 2-3 loss to San Antonio last weekend and a midweek 0-3 cupset loss to Columbus Crew 2. Still, some scouting is due here.
Sacramento Republic FC v. Louisville City (Saturday, 9:00pm, ESPN+)
SacRep were likely shocked to lose 1-2 in Tulsa last Friday but with the extra day off and a home-field advantage could be problematic for the Eastern Conference leaders. Lou City have dropped points only to the Legion so far this season and will want to keep it that way. This will be a major battle.
San Antonio FC v. Phoenix Rising (Sunday, 3:00pm, CBS)
CBS will be very happy to have San Antonio as their home team for a national broadcast this week. Maybe not so happy with the visitors; Phoenix have 2 points from 4 games and are decidedly not their old selves. This could be a one-sided goalfest.
