With playoff qualification now in reach, Austin FC will make the trip to Utah to face Real Salt Lake on Saturday night at America First Field. Match kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m. CT/7:30 p.m. MT.
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 crucial 2-1 victory over Seattle Sounders last Sunday night at Q2 Stadium. Myrto Uzuni scored in the sixth minute of second half stoppage time, the team’s second late winner of the week following CJ Fodrey’s 120th minute strike in the U.S. Open Cup Semifinal in Minnesota.
The result moved Austin into sixth place in the Western Conference, one point behind Seattle in fifth and eight points above the playoff line. The VERDE & Black will now take a trip to Salt Lake City to face Real Salt Lake on Saturday night. The two met back in May at Q2 Stadium, resulting in a 1-1 draw thanks to a stoppage time equalizer by Diego Rubio.
This match can have major implications on Austin’s playoff race, with the Club just one win away from clinching a spot in the postseason for the second time in its history. Austin will look to secure its playoff place and earn a third consecutive win heading into next Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup Final at home, a chance for the Verde & Black to win the first trophy in Club history.
Real Salt Lake Outlook
Real Salt Lake played LAFC twice in the span of five days last week, falling 4-1 in both meetings as LAFC attackers Son Heung-Min and Denis Bouanga tallied four goals each across the two games.
RSL currently sit in twelfth place in the MLS Western Conference, three points below ninth place FC Dallas and the playoff cutline. While they can’t be eliminated this weekend, Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni’s side will know that all remaining matches are critical if they hope to reach the postseason.
RSL has started games well this season, opening the scoring in 30 of its 35 games. But the team has posted mixed results at home with a record of 7-1-7. Salt Lake’s key figure in attack is U.S. international Diego Luna, who leads them in both goals (nine) and assists (five). 18-year-old Zavier Gozo is making a name for himself this year with four goals and two assists.
