Austin FC vs Portland Timbers: Both Coming Into This Game After Some Significant Victories Over the Weekend

• Austin FC take on Portland Timbers this Wednesday at the Q2 Stadium
• Austin FC have scored 18 goals in their last six matches in the MLS
• Portland Timber just won for the first time in six matches 

Austin FC vs Portland Timbers Odds

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Austin FC vs Portland Timbers Pick

Austin FC to win

Austin FC vs Portland Timbers Prediction

Both of these sides are coming into this game after some significant victories over the weekend. Austin FC dispatched table-topping LAFC 4-1, whereas the Portland Timbers got three massive points against the Seattle Sounders to keep their playoff hopes alive.

The two sides have only met four times before with both teams winning two each. The big question heading into this match will be if Austin FC have much to play for and be able to match Portland Timbers’ desperation for three points. Austin FC are almost certain to make the playoffs and are six points away from LAFC, which is quite a lot this late in the season, to have a realistic chance of winning the Supporters Shield. But they should be up for that fight and are our pick in this game.

Previous Meetings

The last match between the two teams took place back in March and the Portland Timbers came out on top thanks to a solitary goal from Bill Tuiloma. The Timbers only had 40 percent of the possession in this game but took 12 shots to Austin FC’s nine. They were dangerous on the counterattack and will look to employ similar tactics in the coming game. It’ll take a serious effort on their part to hold out Austin FC’s lethal attack, which has looked more frightening as the season has progressed.

Austin FC Make The Headlines After 4-1 Victory Over LAFC

Austin FC recorded one of the biggest wins of the MLS season as far as bragging rights are concerned by beating Western conference league leaders, LAFC, 4-1 on the weekend. Diego Fagundez found the back of the net from a free-kick in the 32nd minute, which was followed by a Maximiliano Urruti brace from minutes 47 to 51, which essentially decided the result. Sebastian Driussi got his customary goal in the 59th minute to put the MLS newcomers four goals up before Cristian Arango scored a consolation goal two minutes later.

All the talk before the game surrounded Gareth Bale and his first start but Austin FC decisively changed that post-game.

Sebastian Driussi Could Get Austin FC To Do Accomplish The Impossible

Argentine forward, Sebastian Driussi has now scored 19 goals in the regular season, which was enough to win the golden boot last season. The 26-year-old has been the outstanding player in the MLS this season.

The most impressive bit about the Argentine has been his all-around displays. He has applied 20.47 pressure per game on average over the last year and provided five assists this season as well. He’s a big part of the reason why there’s no stopping Austin FC’s attack at the moment.

There has been some good fortune with his goalscoring. He has an expected goal value of 11.9, which indicates a significant overperformance but that shouldn’t stop him from winning the golden boot. It’s almost too late for any regression in his scoring to creep in.

Austin FC Have Scored 18 Goals In Their Last Six Matches

Driussi hasn’t been the only player in this side to have regularly found the net. The goalscorers from the weekend have chipped in as well. Maximiliano Urruti is one goal short of double digits and Diego Fagundez has scored six of them while also chipping in with 11 assists.

The team has scored at a rate of three goals a game in their last six matches and their 59 goals for the season as a team is more than what any other team has managed. There’s a real fear factor when teams face them because of the attack. The only concern for Austin FC going forward is if the goals will dry up when the playoffs are here but for now, there isn’t a lot to worry about. They need to use the momentum in their favor for as long as possible.

Injuries And Suspension

Hector Jimenez has been out with a groin injury and is expected to make a return in September. Freddy Kleeman has been out with an ACL injury and should only be available towards the end of this year.

The Portland Timbers Register A Massive Win Against Seattle Sounders

Despite going down by a goal in the 8th minute, two second-half strikes from Dairon Asprilla and Sebastian Blanco helped the Portland Timbers record a significant victory over the past weekend. Both sides were heading into this match under pressure. Portland were losing their way after their unbeaten streak had come to an end; and Seattle have made the playoffs for over a decade now. It was a must-win game and Portland did more than was required to get all three points. They currently sit in eighth place on the Western Conference standings.

Timbers Win Cascadia Cup

The Cascadia Cup is contested every year between the Portland Timbers, Seattle Sounders and Vancouver Whitecaps and the win gave the Timbers their first Cascadia Cup title since 2017, with the Sounders having won the title for the last three seasons. There was a lot on the line in this game for both sides and the Timbers must use all the positive energy derived from this game to resist Austin FC this weekend.

Defense Still Shaky

The side has conceded 45 goals all season and are up against a free-scoring team next. The focus heading into the game against Austin FC should be on defensive organization. Austin FC are prolific but by no means infallible, so the Timbers have to use the sort of tactics they used in the last match between the two sides and hope that they come out on top again.

Injuries And Suspensions

Forward Deigo Gutierrez has undergone foot surgery and has been out since April. He’s expected to return by the end of September. Felipe Mora was ruled out earlier this month and is undergoing knee surgery. He will only be back next summer.

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