A 3-2 loss to Montréal on Saturday has left Austin FC ninth in the MLS Western Conference, the lowest seed in the playoffs. With nine games left in the regular season, here is a look ahead at some of the team’s strongest opponents.
San Jose Earthquakes
Eighth in the conference, San Jose and Austin are level on points. However, Austin FC has played two fewer games.
The two teams already faced each other in early July for a U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal. Austin FC narrowly advanced after the game moved into extra time and a penalty shootout.
On Aug. 30 and Oct. 18, the two neck-and-neck teams will face off again, with San Jose hosting Austin on the final day of the regular season.
“We need as many points as possible to make sure that we’re in the playoffs and good position going into those final games,” goalkeeper Brad Stuver said after a 2-2 tie to Houston. “Going away to San Jose, last game of the year is going to be an extremely tough game, so we need to make sure that we have points that game.”
Midfielder Cristian Espinoza could be essential for San Jose, as his league-leading 90 key passes could be the determining factor in breaking down Austin’s defense.
FC Dallas
After a 1-1 draw on Aug. 16, the two Texas teams will reunite on Sept. 13 for another Lone Star State affair. The biggest challenge head coach Nico Estévez must address in this away game is leading his team through the low-block defensive shape that FC Dallas plays with.
“They did two lines of five, almost. It was five (defenders), four (midfielders) and one (forward),” Estévez said about how Dallas played defensively in an Aug. 16 press conference.
In their previous matchup, Austin created 11 shots but only managed to get four on target, with 1.4 expected goals. Dallas goalkeeper Michael Collodi also saved three shots.
With Austin FC only scoring 26 goals, the second-lowest in the league, the front line will need to find its shooting boots. One of its best options to find goals will be through the wide areas and crosses into the box, such as when midfielder Owen Wolff scored a header against Dallas after a ball was crossed into the box.
Minnesota United FC
While this game does not directly affect the MLS Standings, Austin FC will face Minnesota United FC on Sept. 17 in the U.S. Open Cup semifinal.
The U.S. Open Cup is a separate competition from the MLS playoffs, but the major challenge is how Estévez will rotate his squad to give Austin a winning chance while keeping players rested for the league games four days before and after the semifinal.
In its last U.S. Open Cup game, the Verde and Black beat San Jose but failed to score in its following game against New England, ending in a 0-0 scoreline.
“Gallagher, we made him play 60 minutes the other day against San Jose in order that he could finish the game today,” Estévez said about how he rotated defender Jon Gallagher to balance his minutes in between the MLS and U.S. Open Cup.
