Goals from Designated Players Alex Ring and Sebastián Driussi, as well as a penalty kick save from Brad Stuver, led Austin FC to a 2-0 victory over Sporting Kansas City last time out. The result extended the Club’s away unbeaten streak to six matches, was its seventh clean sheet of the season, and strengthened its grip on second place in the Western Conference.
As the calendar flips to August, the Verde & Black’s focus now shifts to the first of four home games this month, a matchup with the San Jose Earthquakes this Saturday night at Q2 Stadium (kickoff at 8 p.m. CT).
Austin FC Outlook
Austin navigated a busy July slate with aplomb, picking up 13 points from six matches (four of which were on the road). The team currently leads MLS in goals scored with 47, and has scored in 21 of its 23 matches, more than any other team in the league.
The Verde & Black defense has been equally strong, tied for sixth in the league in clean sheets. Between Stuver and Andrew Tarbell, the goalkeepers’ save percentage of 73.3 ranks fourth-best in MLS.
With a nine-point gap to third-place Minnesota United FC and a four-point gap to first-place LAFC - both of whom Austin will play later this month - the home match against San Jose is an opportunity to keep pace at the top and add a cushion below before the homestretch to playoff qualification arrives.
San Jose Earthquakes Outlook
San Jose might sit 13th in the Western Conference standings, but you never quite know what you’re going to get in a matchup against the Earthquakes. The team’s style of play aims to unsettle its opponents and to make the game a shootout, as evidenced by its goal tallies.
The Earthquakes’ 46 goals conceded are the second-most of any club in MLS, yet they’ve scored 36 goals - 4th-most in the Western Conference. Two of Austin’s previous meetings with San Jose also illustrate this trend, a wild 4-3 defeat last September and a 2-2 draw in April 2022. In six of the Earthquakes’ last seven matches, both teams have scored.
The Verde & Black’s high-powered attack will look to exploit San Jose’s shaky defense early and often while not allowing the match to become a track meet, and to make home-field advantage count - the Earthquakes have won only once in 11 away games this season.
Probable San Jose Earthquakes Lineup
(4-3-3, R-L) - GK: Matt Bersano; Tommy Thompson, Nathan, Tanner Beason, Paul Marie; Jackson Yueill, Judson, Jamiro Monteiro; Cristian Espinoza, Jeremy Ebobisse, Benjamin Kikanovic
