Sounders Shoot for Separation in Standings vs. Austin FC
Match Overview
Austin FC will hope to gain by their home-pitch benefit to overwhelm the visiting Seattle Sounders when the Western Conference teams go head to head on Saturday. The Sounders (8-7-7, 31 points) currently sit in seventh spot in the West, just one point and two spots in front of Austin. Seattle heads to Texas with a strong late structure, boasting four wins and an attract their past five league games.
Seattle Sounders’ New Presentation
The Sounders are falling off a 2-0 home triumph over New England on July 6. Albert Rusnak scored his third objective in two league matches and assisted on the other count by Jordan Morris. Goalkeeper Stefan Frei made four stops to secure the spotless sheet. Morris has been in amazing structure, scoring seven goals over the past nine matches, while Rusnak leads the group with 10 assists.
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Seattle also progressed to the U.S. Open Cup semifinals interestingly since 2014, following a 2-1 win over Sacramento Republic on Tuesday.
“We’re playing as a collective, and guys have just been bringing a lot of fight and a lot of energy,” Morris said Tuesday. “And we’ve been in tournament formats before, so we know how to win games.”
The Sounders hold a 3-1-3 all-time edge over Austin FC, with their most recent encounter ending in a 0-0 draw on March 2 in Seattle.
Austin FC’s Recent Performance
Austin FC (8-8-6, 30 points) has won two of its past three matches and remain at home after a 2-1 victory over New York City FC on July 6. Gyasi Zardes recorded a brace, with his second goal in the 69th minute proving to be the deciding score. These were Zardes’ first two goals of the season, bringing his career tally to 105 and moving him into 10th place on the MLS all-time goal-scoring list.
“The pressure will build with each game with how you take points or don’t take them,” Austin coach Josh Wolff said Friday. “I’m extremely pleased with our group’s efforts to get to where we are this season and be inside the playoff line. You’re four points from being in a higher spot and four from being lower, but that’s what this league is.”
Despite their recent success, Austin’s 25 goals this season are the fewest in the Western Conference and tied for third-lowest in MLS.
Key Players to Watch
Seattle Sounders
- Albert Rusnak: With three goals in the past two league matches and a team-high 10 assists, Rusnak is a crucial playmaker for Seattle.
- Jordan Morris: Scoring seven goals in the last nine matches, Morris will be a key offensive threat.
- Stefan Frei: The veteran goalkeeper’s performance will be vital in maintaining Seattle’s solid defensive record.
Austin FC
- Gyasi Zardes: After breaking his goal drought with a brace, Zardes will look to continue his scoring form.
- Sebastián Driussi: As a consistent offensive contributor, Driussi’s playmaking will be essential for Austin’s attack.
- Brad Stuver: The goalkeeper’s performance will be critical in keeping Austin in the match against a potent Seattle offense.
Conclusion
As Seattle Sounders expect to expand their unbeaten streak and Austin FC looks to jump them in the standings, Saturday’s match promises to be a profoundly cutthroat issue. The two teams are in strong structure, with Seattle showcasing their aggregate strength and Austin utilizing their home benefit. With key players like Albert Rusnak and Gyasi Zardes in the spotlight, fans can expect an engaging and potentially high-stakes match that could significantly impact the Western Conference standings.