Austin FC vs FC Dallas: Austin’s Mentality Can Win It for Them

• The two have faced each other on five occasions. FC Dallas have won thrice and the other two have been draws. Austin have never beaten Dallas
• Both draws between these two sides have come this season. Austin FC have scored late in the game in both fixtures to secure a draw
• Austin FC finished second in the Western Conference. This is their best ever finish in the league

Austin FC vs FC Dallas Odds

Austin FC vs FC Dallas Prediction

There was not a lot to separate the two sides in the league phase this season. Austin finished second with 56 points while Dallas were in third with 53 points. Both Texas Derbies between the two teams this season in the league ended in draws. In June, Dallas scored two second-half goals and thought they had bagged all three points. However, Sebastian Driussi and Danny Hoesen struck in the 72nd and 85th minute, respectively to snatch a point.

In the reverse fixture hosted by FC Dallas, the hosts scored in the 42nd minute courtesy of Paul Arriola. Austin struck back late again, this time Driussi set up Diego Fagundez for the equalizer in the 79th minute to steal a point.

Both encounters between these two have been tight. Both their respective encounters in the Round of 16 have also been extremely tight and decided on penalties. It is difficult to predict the winner of this fixture but it seems Austin FC will end their dry spell against FC Dallas in the quarter-finals of the MLS Playoffs.

Austin’s Mentality Can Win It For Them

The Oaks have already come from behind to nab a point against Dallas on two occasions this season. In addition to that, they have come from behind to win in the Round of 16 against Real Salt Lake as well. They are no strangers to bouncing back after being dealt the first blow.

However, Austin will try their best to not do it the hard way for a change. But this encounter, considering the history and current form of both sides, has penalties written all over it. That is where Austin can maintain their composure and advance to the semi-finals.

Austin Started On The Front Foot, Ended on the Back

Austin FC got off to a fairytale start this season after scoring ten goals in their first two league games. The opener was against Cincinnati which they won 5-0 before they went on to beat Inter Miami 5-1 in the next game. The Oaks only lost two out of their opening 10 fixtures, drawing two and winning six.

From June to August this year, Austin lost just two out of 13 matches. Three of them ended in draws. In the next two months, a completely different performance was on display as Austin dropped a lot of points. Through September and October, they won just one out of seven league games, losing four and drawing two.

A dramatic encounter between Austin FC and Real Salt Lake went to penalties after a 94th-minute equalizer from the spot, scored by Austin’s Sebastian Driussi. In the penalty shoot-out, Brad Stuver saved two penalties and watched one go off-target as Austin FC advanced to the quarter-finals of the MLS Playoffs.

Home Advantage for Austin

Although the Oaks have the same number of wins in their own backyard and on their travels, they have lost just three out of 17 games that they have played at home. They have scored 42 goals and let in 23.

Away from home, Austin have scored just 23 in 17 games while conceding 26. Additionally, FC Dallas have only won four out of 17 games that they have played away from home.

The Prolific Driussi-Fagundez Combo

Attacking midfielder Sebastian Driussi has featured in all of Austin’s league fixtures so far and scored 22 goals while nabbing five assists as well. The Argentinian has become a part of a formidable partnership with winger Diego Fagundez, who has also featured in all the games so far. The Uruguayan has netted 6 goals and set up 12 in the league this season.

In the first playoff game, Driussi added two more goals to his tally while Fagundez pocketed yet another assist.

Dallas Eager to Break Pattern

FC Dallas’ start to the season was sluggish as they drew their opening encounter against Toronto FC and lost to New England Revolution in the second game. However, that was the only game they lost in the first eleven rounds. Dallas registered six wins and four draws on this enthralling run.

In the next ten fixtures, Dallas struggled and nabbed just one win. They lost five games and drew four. The last draw came against Austin FC. A pattern formed over the entire season that showed that FC Dallas did not ever win more than two games in a row. They will be heading into the game against Austin after winning their last two and will be looking to break the pattern.

FC Dallas dragged their Round of 16 encounters against Minnesota United to penalties after Facundo Tomas Quignon canceled out Emanuel Reynoso’s opener in the 64th minute. Maarten Paes saved Wil Trapp’s penalty as FC Dallas converted all of theirs to book their quarter-final berth against Austin FC.

Strong at Home, Poor Away

In their own backyard, Dallas have been quite comfortable. Out of 17 games, they have won 10, drawn 4, and lost just 3. They have scored 28 goals and conceded 15. They have won 34 out of their 53 points at home this season.

However, on their travels, they have managed to win just 4 out of 17 games. They have drawn 7 and lost 6, scoring 20 and conceding 22 in the process. On the road, they have taken just 19 points from 17 games.

Ferreira-Arriola-Lletget Triple-Threat

The attacking trio of Jesus Ferreira, Paul Arriola, and Sebastian Lletget have scored 31 goals between them and registered 20 assists in the league this season. Ferreira leads the menacing frontline with 18 goals and 6 assists to his name. The Colombian-born American has missed only one game for Dallas this entire season.

The trio will be eager to get on the scoresheet or the assists sheet in the next game as none of these three players scored in the previous fixture. Facundo Tomas Quignon was assisted by Matt Hedges for the equalizer. In the penalty shootout, Lletget and Ferreira scored the second and fourth penalties before Alan Velasco netted the fifth to book his side’s quarter-final berth.

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