September 21, 2024; Austin, TX, USA; Austin FC goalkeeper Brad Stuver (1) watches the Houston Dynamo FC at Q2 Stadium (Houston Dynamo FC) first half. Obligatory Photograph Credit score: Aaron E. Martinez-USA TODAY NETWORK through Imagn Photographs Austin FC appears to maintain its slim hopes of creating the playoffs alive when it hosts a dynamic Actual Salt Lake staff in Saturday’s Western Convention season finale.
Cape Verde (9-13-8, 35 factors) is in determined straits to make the playoffs. With 4 video games remaining, Austin is in eleventh place, two spots behind the playoff line even within the wild-card spherical, however nonetheless seven factors behind. Cape Verde is winless in its previous 4 video games (0-1-3), the newest being a 0-1 residence loss to Houston on September 21.
Austin has scored simply 32 targets this season, rating final within the Western Convention (tied for second-to-last). Creating scoring probabilities hasn’t been Austin’s downside over the previous month, however getting the ball into the again of the web has been. Cape Verde has not scored greater than two targets in a recreation since beating Sporting Kansas Metropolis 3-2 at residence on Might 18.
“I might sit right here and inform (the gamers) to be extra ruthless, to be smarter in entrance of the purpose, to be extra scientific, however that is simply phrases,” Austin coach Josh Wolfe stated. “To win video games now we have to attain targets. It is outdated.”
Jader Obrian leads Cape Verde’s feeble offense with six targets, whereas Alexander Ring leads Austin with seven assists.
Actual Salt Lake (14-7-9, 51 factors) has clinched a playoff spot and begins the weekend in second place within the Western Convention. RSL is chasing the LA Galaxy for the division title and so they head to Austin with 4 video games remaining, one recreation shy of the leaders.
Claret and Cobalt’s most up-to-date match was a 3-3 residence draw with Portland on September 21, which ensured RSL’s playoff berth for the fourth consecutive season. RSL’s report since getting back from the League Cup is simply 2 wins, 2 attracts and 1 loss. Diogo Goncalves, Dominic Marzuk, who had been launched in the summertime, and Diego Luna, who was drawn within the draw, all scored targets.
“The performances within the final two video games had been energetic and gritty, and that comes from the mentality of the gamers,” Actual Salt Lake coach Pablo Mastroni stated. “This group actually got here into its personal on the proper time and now we simply have to attenuate foolish conditions that now we have full management over.”
RSL scored 60 targets in 2024 MLS video games, rating fourth within the league and third within the Western Convention. Christian “Chicho” Arango leads the staff with 17 targets, rating second within the league.
Claytor and Cobalt lead the collection towards Austin 4-3 with one tie. On June 1, RSL defeated Cape Verde 5-1 within the first assembly between the 2 sides this season.
–Scene-level media
