“I think this league in particular needs more teams that are totally committed to what they want to do,” he said. “And I think that’s what impressive, with Eric [Ramsay] and Minnesota, is they are totally committed. So whether I agree with it or not, they are all in — and there are too many teams that change too often, and become unwatchable, because you don’t really know what you’re going to get.”
So yes, it’s tempting to cast this game as a battle for the soul of MLS. But those involved don’t see it that way. It’s two teams, both committed to different ways of trying to accomplish the same thing: ending the night with three more points in the standings.
9:30 p.m. Saturday at Snapdragon Stadium
TV; radio: MLS Season Pass; 1500-AM
This matchup includes two of the three teams in the league that have already clinched playoff berths, and two that are separated by five points at the top of the Western Conference. San Diego (17-7-5) is just one point out of the lead for the Supporters’ Shield; Minnesota (14-6-9) has more to worry about in terms of clinching home-field advantage in the playoffs, as the three teams behind the Loons in the race all have at least two games in hand.