Austin FC head coach Josh Wolff challenged his crew to battle in opposition to “adversity” after they host derby rivals Houston Dynamo on Saturday.
Austin are tenth within the Western Convention, and are 10 factors behind the playoff spots, with the Dynamo presently sitting in seventh place.
They’ve received simply one in every of their final seven MLS outings (a 2-0 win over Nashville SC), and are winless in three, although they did draw 1-1 with Los Angeles FC final outing.
When requested if he was nonetheless concentrating on the playoffs, Wolff insisted that his crew would battle to the final sport.
“Extra adversity, carry it on,” he mentioned. “It’s what we now have to take care of.
“These guys compete, they don’t have anything however confidence in what we’re doing. We should always have extra factors primarily based on among the performances, however we preserve trying ahead and powering on.
“We want an enormous, large push at house and an enormous efficiency, however it’s definitely attainable.”
.@realsaltlake made their transfer to 2nd within the West. pic.twitter.com/uRn5jQ6Zor
— Main League Soccer (@MLS) September 19, 2024
In the meantime, Houston are unbeaten in every of their final 4 outings, successful two and drawing two, however had been unable to carry onto their lead in a 1-1 draw with Vancouver Whitecaps in midweek.
They’ll make historical past on Saturday although – a win would set a brand new document for street victories in a single season, and it might be their first-ever triumph at Q2 Stadium, having misplaced all 5 earlier visits.
“We’re pondering of the sport in entrance of us proper now, and we owe Austin,” Griffin Dorsey mentioned. “They took six factors from us.
“It’s a rivalry sport in an excellent environment. It’ll be an awesome night time to take three factors from them, and [making history] would make it extra particular.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Austin FC – Jader Obrian
On Wednesday, Jader Obrian notched his team-leading sixth purpose of the season, however it was his first street purpose in 2024.
The one MLS participant with a minimum of six targets this season to have the next proportion of them coming at house than Obrian (83.3%) is William Agada of Sporting Kansas Metropolis (88.9%).
Fast strike from Jáder Obrian! pic.twitter.com/MihqEPdLCq
— Austin FC (@AustinFC) September 19, 2024
Houston Dynamo – Ezequiel Ponce
Ezequiel Ponce scored Houston’s lone purpose on a penalty kick of their 1-1 draw with Vancouver on Wednesday.
It was simply the Dynamo’s second penalty try within the common season in 2024. The membership had a minimum of 4 penalty-kick makes an attempt in every of the earlier seven seasons coming into 2024.
MATCH PREDICTION: HOUSTON DYNAMO WIN
The Dynamo have recorded three straight street wins in all competitions for the primary time since a six-match successful streak away from house in 2011-12. That six-match run is Houston’s solely street successful streak longer than three matches.
Austin have received three straight matches in opposition to the Dynamo, retaining clear sheets in all three wins. The Black and Verde have by no means recorded 4 straight regular-season wins in opposition to a single opponent.
Nonetheless, Austin have received simply one in every of their final six regular-season house matches (D2 L3) courting again to late Might. They’d received 5 straight at Q2 Stadium previous to this drought.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Austin FC – 33.8%
Draw – 25.7%
Houston Dynamo – 40.5%