Austin FC returns home for only the second time in April this Saturday to host San Jose Earthquakes. The match is set for a 7:30 p.m. CT kickoff at Q2 Stadium.
Tune-In
Fans can watch the match in English or Spanish in over 100 countries via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
- Stream: Click here to watch the match, or access it through any device compatible with the Apple TV app. An MLS Season Pass subscription is required.
- Radio: The match will be broadcast live locally in English on iHeart Radio’s Alt 97.5, and in Spanish on Univision’s TUDN Radio Austin (104.3-HD2, KLQB-FM).
Austin FC Outlook
While Austin has endured an up-and-down patch of form to start its season, the team has remained difficult to beat on home turf. Since a season-opening loss to St. Louis, the Verde & Black have won two, drawn two, and lost none of their four matches across all competitions at Q2 Stadium. In those games, Austin has kept three clean sheets and allowed only one total goal.
Those impressive defensive performances have come despite multiple injuries and absences across the backline. Brad Stuver has been consistently impressive in goal for the Verde & Black, and no opponent has scored at Q2 Stadium this season while the Finnish center back pairing of Leo Väisänen and Alex Ring have been on the pitch together.
Head Coach Josh Wolff is quick to credit the entire group for being tough to break down at home.
“The defensive side, it starts with our forwards. Like you can say attackers get all the glory when you’re scoring goals, for me it’s the same when you’re not giving up goals - the entire group should take part in that and they have been,” said Wolff. “It’s a reward to the group for a strong effort out of possession. I think the backline has done a tremendous job along the way, and Brad’s made some timely saves.”
The support in the stands has never wavered as well. The sellout attendance at Austin’s previous home match vs. Vancouver marked the Club’s 40th consecutive MLS home sellout, extending the league’s longest-active sellout streak.
San Jose Earthquakes Outlook
It’s been a tale of two teams for San Jose thus far in 2023. The Quakes’ results are remarkably different at home and on the road, as they find themselves in fifth place in the Western Conference after nine matches played.
San Jose is yet to lose at PayPal Park, with 13 of a possible 15 points gained from five matches there this season. The results on their travels have been a mirror image of their home form though. San Jose has only one point from four road games in league play, and on Tuesday night, were eliminated from the U.S. Open Cup via a 1-0 away loss to USL Championship side Monterey Bay FC.
Last season, Austin and San Jose played two hectic matches. In both, the away team took a first half lead, only for the home side to come back and earn a draw. The Earthquakes can score in bunches when given the chance, especially through Cristian Espinoza and Jeremy Ebobisse, who already have six and four goals on the season respectively.
Possible San Jose Lineup
(4-3-3, R-L) - GK: JT Marcinkowski; Carlos Akapo, Jonathan Mensah, Rodrigues, Paul Marie; Jackson Yueill, Carlos Gruezo, Jamiro Monteiro; Cristian Espinoza, Jeremy Ebobisse, Cade Cowell
