Austin FC is back at home to take on Seattle Sounders FC at Q2 Stadium this Sunday night. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. CT, and the match will feature as this week’s Sunday Night Soccer match.
Tune-In
- Stream: Click here to watch the match on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, or access it through any device compatible with the Apple TV app.
- 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
Austin FC earned a thrilling 2-1 victory over Minnesota United FC in the U.S. Open Cup Semifinal Round on Wednesday night at Allianz Field. That result – sealed by a 120th minute winner from CJ Fodrey – sees Austin advance to its first-ever major tournament final, which the Club will host at Q2 Stadium on Wednesday, October 1 against Nashville SC.
Before that Open Cup Final though, the Verde & Black have two highly important league matches to focus on in their push to secure a playoff spot, beginning with Sunday’s tilt against Seattle. Currently occupying seventh place in the Western Conference, ATXFC could move within one match of clinching a place in the postseason if they are able to defeat the Sounders.
The Club will hope to continue getting big contributions from its young players. Fodrey’s goal in Minnesota was the 21-year-old's second game-winner in the team’s last three matches. 20-year-old Owen Wolff assisted Osman Bukari for Austin’s opener against the Loons, his ninth goal contribution in nine games.
After three consecutive away fixtures, the Verde & Black will hope for a boost upon returning to the home comforts of Q2 Stadium.
Seattle Sounders FC Outlook
Seattle also had a midweek match, falling 3-1 away against Inter Miami Tuesday night. The Sounders did get the better of Miami a few weeks ago though, besting them 3-0 in the Leagues Cup Final.
That loss was just Seattle’s second in 17 matches since they took part in the FIFA Club World Cup in June, a run of form which helped them claim that Leagues Cup title and rise to fifth place in the Western Conference, four points above Austin. The Sounders’ two top scorers, Danny Musovski and Albert Rusnak, both saw limited minutes in the meeting with Miami and will presumably have fresh legs for the weekend.
Seattle has an away record of 4-7-4 this season, ranking 10th best in the conference. In contrast to Austin’s last two opponents Minnesota and Dallas – who are the two teams with the lowest average percent possession in MLS – the Sounders enjoy having the ball, ranking fifth in the league with an average of 53.7 percent. That stylistic contrast will pose an intriguing challenge for the Verde & Black in primetime this Sunday night.
